Finding Text
Section III ? Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Choice Voucher Program Assistance Listing Number 14.871 Finding: 2022-001 Housing Quality Standards (?HQS?) Inspections and HQS Enforcement (Significant Deficiency) Criteria: The PHA must inspect the unit leased to a family at least annually to determine if the unit meets Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the PHA must conduct quality control re-inspections. The PHA must prepare a unit inspection report (24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.405(b)). For units under HAP contract that fail to meet HQS, the PHA must require the owner to correct 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 stop (abate) HAPs beginning no later than the first of the month following the specified correction period or must terminate the HAP contract. 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: The PHAs failed inspection log noted seventeen units failed HQS inspection. It appears only four units were reinspected. The PHA?s tenant files did not have evidence or other verification documenting that any PHA-required repairs were completed. Cause: For the calendar year under audit, January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, the PHA did not have a housing inspector from September 2022 until the year end. At the time of the auditors? field work the PHA had not hired an inspector and the responsibility has fallen to the Section 8 Director. Effect or Potential Effect: The PHA is out compliance with Housing Quality Standards (?HQS?) Inspections and HQS Enforcement and may not meet its 5 Year Plan goals to provide improved living environment to: ? Ensure that all units meet the Housing Quality Standards ? Provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing for very low-income families ? Conduct more supervisory housing standards inspections to ensure safety of the participants Recommendation: The PHA must hire an inspector who is qualified and certified to perform HUD?s job requirements. The inspector is required to take and pass the Inspector (Housing) Civil Service Exam when posted. Management?s Response: See corrective action plan.