Finding 26115 (2022-002)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-07-13

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Public Housing Authority (PHA) failed to conduct timely re-inspections for units that did not meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS), affecting compliance with federal requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Annual inspections and timely corrections of deficiencies are mandated, with specific timelines for addressing life-threatening issues (24 hours) and other deficiencies (30 days).
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a corrective action plan to ensure compliance with HQS inspections and monitor the effectiveness of the recent software conversion to prevent future issues.

Finding Text

Finding 2022-002: Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Programs Federal Catalog Numbers: 14.871 Noncompliance ? N. Special Tests and Provisions - Housing Quality Standards Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: Housing Quality Standards Inspections. The PHA must inspect the unit leased to a family at least annually to determine if the unit meets the 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 that fail inspection the PHA must correct all life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours and all other deficiencies within 30 days. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority?s files and on discussion with management, there were failed inspections that did not pass reinspection within 30 days without penalty. Context: There are approximately 489 units with failed inspections. Of a sample size of twenty-five (25) failed inspections, three (3) failed inspections did not pass reinspection within 30 days. HAP was not abated nor was the tenant evicted. Our sample size is statistically valid. Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. The Authority has not properly performed HQS inspections in compliance with program requirements following the expiration of HUD waivers as a result of insufficient staffing . Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement a corrective action plan that will assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement. Authority Response: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The affected files relate to the software conversion from HAB to Yardi. The Authority has completed the software conversion, and this should not be an issue going forward.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2022-002 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Programs Federal Catalog Numbers: 14.871 Noncompliance ? N. Special Tests and Provisions - Housing Quality Standards Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: Housing Quality Standards Inspections. The PHA must inspect the unit leased to a family at least annually to determine if the unit meets the 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 that fail inspection the PHA must correct all life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours and all other deficiencies within 30 days. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority?s files and on discussion with management, there were failed inspections that did not pass reinspection within 30 days without penalty. Context: There are approximately 489 units with failed inspections. Of a sample size of twenty-five (25) failed inspections, three (3) failed inspections did not pass reinspection within 30 days. HAP was not abated nor was the tenant evicted. Our sample size is statistically valid. Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. The Authority has not properly performed HQS inspections in compliance with program requirements following the expiration of HUD waivers as a result of insufficient staffing. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement a corrective action plan that will assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The affected files relate to the software conversion from HAB to Yardi. BHA has completed the software conversion, and this should not be an issue going forward. Allison Landrum, Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for implementing this corrective action by September 30, 2023.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Special Tests & Provisions

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 26114 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 26116 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 602556 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 602557 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 602558 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $14.68M
14.850 Public and Indian Housing $1.74M
14.182 Section 8 New Construction and Substantial Rehabilitation $1.34M
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $712,945
14.896 Family Self-Sufficiency Program $120,820
14.870 Resident Opportunity and Supportive Services - Service Coordinators $85,688