Finding 30655 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency

Requirement

Questioned Costs

Year

2022

Accepted

2023-06-29

Audit: 35613

Organization: Waltham Housing Authority (MA)

Auditor: Dooley & Vicars LLP

AI Summary

Core Issue: Two tenant selections from the waitlist were improperly processed, indicating a lack of oversight in the Housing Choice Voucher program.
Impacted Requirements: Timely processing of prospective tenants per HUD guidelines is essential for compliance.
Recommended Follow-Up: Increase oversight on tenant selection to ensure eligible candidates are admitted correctly.

Finding Text

Finding Reference: 2022-001 Federal Agency: US. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program(s): Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) CFDA Number(s): 14.871 Category of Finding: Tenant Eligibility Criteria: The Housing Choice Voucher program requires housing authority management t o process prospective tenants into the program in a timely manner in accordance with HU D guidelines for pro gram administration. Compliance in this program is monitored by external auditors in addition to the Section 8 Management Assistance Program, or "SEMAP". Condition/Context: The SEMAP completed during the current audit period selected 12 waitlist selections and identified at least two deficient selections of tenants from the waitlist, with others lacking complete clarity. Cause: The cause was a general lack of oversight in executing this part of the HCV program. Effect: The most eligible tenants were not properly admitted to the program . Questioned Costs: Unknown Recommendation: Exercise greater oversight over tenant selection from the waitlist. Management's Response to Finding: See Corrective Action Plan 2022-001

Corrective Action Plan

Re: Auditee's Response and Corrective Action Plan - Finding No. 2022-001 Gentlemen: Having reviewed the draft of our FY 2022 audit we are offering the following corrective action to resolve the deficiencies as per the audit finding: Finding Reference 2022-001 The Authority concurs with this finding. As a result of similar findings in the Authority's SEMAP scoring we have reviewed our existing procedures and have retained consultants to assist us in training staff in a more personal setting. We believe that having replaced some staff and training new staff we shall be able to correct the deficiencies found in selecting applicants from the wait list. We are leasing at a more frequent pace than in the past and expect leasing to ramp up so that staff will have ample opportunity to go through the proper procedures more frequently than in the recent past with the benefit of having direct oversight and advice from expert advisors. We expect that this training process will prevent the errors that were made in the past fiscal year. Very truly yours, John F. Gollinger Executive Director Person Responsible for Corrective Action:, 781-894-3357

Other Findings in this Audit

30656 2022-002

Significant Deficiency
607097 2022-001

Significant Deficiency
607098 2022-002

Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN	Program Name	Expenditures
14.871	Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers	$8.35M
14.218	Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants	$1.56M
14.850	Public and Indian Housing	$1.34M
14.872	Public Housing Capital Fund	$604,170