Corrective Action Plan For the year ended March 31, 2022 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: The Housing Authority of the City of Paterson respectfully submits the following corrective action plan for the year ended March 31, 2022. Auditor: Novogradac and Company, LLP Certified Public Accountants 1144 Hooper Avenue Suite 203 Toms River, New Jersey 08753 The findings from the March 31, 2022 schedule of findings and questioned costs are discussed below. The findings are numbered consistently with the numbers assigned in the schedule. Financial Statement Findings Reference 2022-001: Criteria: In accordance with N.J.S.A. 46:30B and the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act of the State of New Jersey, all property, including any income or increment derived there from, less any lawful charges, whether located in this state or another state, that is held, issued, owing in the ordinary course of a holder's business and has remained unclaimed by the owner for more than three years after it became payable or distributable is presumed abandoned, and is subject to custody of the state as unclaimed property. Additionally, HUD requires PHA?s to conform to state escheatment laws related to unclaimed tenant utility reimbursements. Condition: The Authority has unclaimed property in stale dated checks that meet that State?s definition. Reference 2022-001 (continued) Context: During our audit, we noted several checks that were either outstanding for greater than a three-year period or determined to be stale dated by management. These checks were made up of housing assistance payments and utility reimbursements, and were recorded as a liability in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program. HUD?s regulations require the Authority to follow the State?s escheat laws, which would require the Authority to ultimately consider these checks as unclaimed property, and turn them over to the State Treasurer. Known Questioned Costs: N/A Cause: The Authority did not properly consider state and federal regulations related to unclaimed property. Effect: Due to the stale dated checks being outstanding for greater than a three-year period, they are to be considered unclaimed property in the State of New Jersey. The Authority did not properly identify these outstanding checks as unclaimed property, or follow the proper reporting requirements of the State of New Jersey. Additionally, no stale dated checks were escheated to the State. Recommendation: The Authority should draft and adopt a method of complying with reporting requirements related to unclaimed property in accordance with the State of New Jersey Statutes. Authority Response: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor and has made arrangements to comply with the State of New Jersey Statutes. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor and has made arrangements to comply with the State of New Jersey Statutes. Irma Gorham is responsible to remedy the deficiency by March 31, 2023. Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs Finding 2022-002: Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program Federal Catalog Numbers: 14.871 Noncompliance ? E. Eligibility - Tenant Files Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Eligibility Criteria: Tenant Files. The PHA must do the following: As a condition of admission or continued occupancy, require the tenant and other family member to provide necessary information, documentation, and releases for the PHA to verify income eligibility (24 CFR sections 5.230, 5.609, and 982.516). Finding 2022-002 (continued): Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority?s files and on discussions with management there were documents that were unavailable for examination at the time of audit. Context: Of a sample size of thirty-six (36) tenant files, the following information was unavailable for examination at the time of audit: ? Verification of income and assets was missing in one (1) file Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: $11,054 Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over the compliance for the eligibility type of compliance related to the maintenance of tenant files. The Authority has not properly considered and designed a system of internal controls that reasonably assures the program is in compliance. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in non-compliance with the eligibility type of compliance related to the maintenance of tenant files. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement. Authority Response: We agree with the Auditor?s observations on the inspection of the tenant files and will implement internal control procedures that will assure tenant file compliance. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor on the inspection of tenant files and has made arrangements to comply with the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program. Irma Gorham is responsible to remedy the deficiency by March 31, 2023. Schedule of Prior Year Audit Findings Reference 2021-001: Observation: During our audit, we noted several checks that were either outstanding for greater than a three-year period or determined to be stale dated by management. These checks were made up of housing assistance payments and utility reimbursements, and were recorded as a liability in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program. HUD?s regulations require the Authority to follow the State?s escheat laws, which would require the Authority to ultimately consider these checks as unclaimed property and turn them over to the State Treasurer. Reference 2021-001 (continued): Status: The finding remains open. See Finding 2022-001 above. Sincerely yours, Irma Gorham Executive Director