Finding Text
HQS Enforcement and Annual HQS Inspections Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Name: Housing Choice Voucher Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 14.871 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: GA007; 2025 Award Period: January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance • Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: For units under HAP contract that fail to meet HQS, the PHA must require the owner to correct any life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours after the inspections and all other HQS deficiencies within 30 calendar days or within a specified PHA-approved extension. If the owner does not correct the cited HQS deficiencies within the specified correction period, the PHA must abate HAP payments beginning no later than the first of the month following the specified correction period or must terminate the HAP contract. The owner is not responsible for a breach of HQS as a result of the family’s failure to pay for utilities for which the family is responsible under the lease or for tenant damage. For family-caused defects, if the family does not correct the cited HQS deficiencies within the specified correction period, the PHA must take prompt and vigorous action to enforce the family obligations (24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.404). Condition: During the testing of the Housing Choice Voucher Program tenant files, certain special provision compliance deficiencies were noted as summarized below: Number of Instances Finding 10 Authority did not both inspect the unit and notify the owner and tenant of the confirmed life-threatening deficiency within 24 hours as required. Questioned costs: None Context: Of the 60 files tested, 10 files contained errors as noted above. Cause: The Authority failed to provide adequate monitoring and oversight to ensure compliance with HUD rules and regulations. Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with federal regulations regarding Housing Quality Standards and Quality Control requirements. Repeat Finding: Yes, see prior year finding 2024-001. Recommendation: We recommend that the Authority strengthen its 24 hour LT deficiency inspection procedures to ensure compliance with HUD requirements. Additionally, the Authority should provide training to personnel involved in the inspection process to reinforce their understanding of and adherence to applicable HUD regulations. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.