Finding Text
2022-002 Eligibility ? Tenant Files Section 8 Housing Voucher Cluster (Section 8): 14.871 Section 8 ? Housing Choice Vouchers 14.879 Mainstream Vouchers Significant Deficiency in Internal Control and Other Matter to be Reported Under the Uniform Guidance Repeat finding from June 30, 2021 as Finding 2021-001 (initially reported June 30, 2010) Condition: Out of a total tenant population of approximately 2,100 tenants, 25 files were selected for testing. Exceptions were noted as follows: ? 1 error where the wrong amount was used to calculate tenant?s wage income. This had no effect on HAP rent. ? 1 error where overtime earnings was not included in calculating tenant?s wage income. This caused HAP rent to decrease by $11. ? 1 error where the utility allowance was calculated incorrectly. This caused the HAP rent to decrease by $61. ? 1 error where the prior year utility allowance schedule was used instead of the current year. This had no effect on HAP rent. ? 1 error where adoption subsidy benefits were calculated incorrectly as well as the amount excluded from income. This decreased HAP rent by $9. ? 1 error where $1,753 in unreimbursed medical expenses was carried forward from the prior year 50058 and file had no support for any medical expenses in current year. This decreased HAP rent by $22 ? 1 error where there was no EIV report in file In addition to the above, we noted the following during our new admissions testing (21 new admissions tested): ? 1 error where there was no signed 214 affidavit in the file for one member of the household Criteria: 24 CFR 982.516 requires internal controls to be in place to ensure compliance with HUD requirements, as well as maintain complete and accurate tenant files. In addition, the Authority?s administrative plan also requires following proper procedures for determination of HAP and documentation in the tenant files. Questioned Costs: None. Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with all of the HUD requirements regarding eligibility and tenant recertifications, which could result in incorrect total tenant payments for rent and HAP payments to landlords. Cause: Procedures to ensure compliance with all of the HUD requirements were not being fully implemented. Recommendation: The Authority should correct the deficiencies noted in the tested files and utilize an ongoing quality control review process on the entire tenant population to ensure proper compliance with the requirements related to tenant eligibility. Ongoing staff training and timely management reviews should be utilized to ensure staff is aware of acceptable procedures. In addition, the Authority should review staffing levels, skill sets and case load. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The Authority concurs with this finding and will implement review procedures and provide ongoing training to staff.