Finding 1227306 (2026-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
M
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2026
Accepted
2026-08-19

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The tenant security deposit account had insufficient funds to cover liabilities due to a temporary transfer of funds for payroll.
  • Impacted Requirements: This situation violates the Regulatory Agreement, which mandates maintaining adequate funds in the tenant security deposit account.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should regularly monitor the tenant security deposit account balance to ensure it meets liability requirements moving forward.

Finding Text

Findings reference number: 2026-001 - Title and AL Number of Federal Program: Section 223(f) Mortgage Insurance for Purchase or Refinancing of Existing Multifamily Housing Projects (AL 14.155) - Type of finding: Federal Award. - Resolution Status: In process - Population size: N/A - Sample size: N/A - Repeat finding: No. - Criteria: Controls should be in place so that the balance in the bank account maintained for tenant security deposits is sufficient to cover the liability for tenant security deposits payable. - Statement of Condition: During our testing of tenant security deposits, it was discovered that the balance in the bank account maintained for tenant security deposits was insufficient to cover the liability for tenant security deposits payable. - Cause: This happened because of a temporary transfer of funds from the tenant security deposit account to the operating account to cover payroll. - Effect: The Project is not in compliance with the requirements of the Regulatory Agreement. - Noncompliance code: M - Questioned costs: None. - Reporting views of officials: Management agrees with the finding and has transferred funds from the operating account to the tenant security deposit account to ensure the balance is enough to cover the liability for tenant security deposits payable. - Contract number: 114-11440. - Context: The balance in the tenant security deposit account as of May 31, 2026, was lower than the liability for tenant security deposits payable. - Recommendation: Management should regularly monitor the balance in the tenant security deposit account and make sure it is sufficient to cover the liability for tenant security deposits payable. - Auditors' summary of auditee's comments: They are in agreement, but have pointed out that the funds in the operating account were depleted due to payments to a vendor for urgent water damage remediation after the apartment fire at the property. Management will make sure to keep sufficient funds in the tenant security deposit account to cover the liability for tenant security deposits payable in the future. - Completion date: 5/31/2027. - Response: Per Management, there was a temporary depletion of funds in the operating account, since they paid the amount of their insurance deductible to a vendor for urgent water damage remediation after an apartment fire on the property. This resulted in the operating account not having sufficient funds to cover the next payroll. Hence a temporary transfer of funds was made from the tenant security deposits account. Management is aware that the Regulatory Agreement stipulates maintaining sufficient funds in a separate tenant security deposit account to cover the liability for tenant security deposits payable and have since replenished the balance in the tenant security deposit account.

Corrective Action Plan

Audit Finding 2026-001: During our testing of tenant security deposits, it was discovered that the balance in the bank account maintained for tenant security deposits was insufficient to cover the liability for tenant security deposits payable. -Response: There was a temporary depletion of funds in the operating account, since they paid the amount of their insurance deductible to a vendor for urgent water damage remediation after an apartment fire on the property. This resulted in the operating account not having sufficient funds to cover the next payroll. Hence a temporary transfer of funds was made from the tenant security deposits account. Management is aware that the Regulatory Agreement stipulates maintaining sufficient funds in a separate tenant security deposit account to cover the liability for tenant security deposits payable and have since replenished the balance in the tenant security deposit account. The $1,900 was deposited back into the Security Deposit account on 08/17/2026. - Responsible Party: Linda G. Holder - Executive Director - Houston Housing Management Corporation - 1418 Preston St. - Houston, TX 77002

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment HUD Housing Programs Reporting

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.155 MORTGAGE INSURANCE FOR THE PURCHASE OR REFINANCING OF EXISTING MULTIFAMILY HOUSING PROJECTS $6.24M
14.195 PROJECT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE (PBRA) $1.29M