Finding Text
2022-003 Special Tests and Provisions: HCV Failed Inspections Section 8 Housing Voucher Cluster (Section 8): Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program ? CFDA Number 14.871 Mainstream Vouchers ? CFDA Number 14.879 Material Weakness in Internal Control, Material Noncompliance Condition: Out of a total failed inspection population of approximately 540 units, 25 failed inspections were selected for testing. Exceptions were noted as follows: ? 1 Inspection and HAP abatement error where the tenant?s unit did not pass inspection and HAP payments were not withheld from July 2022 through February 2023. ? 1 HAP abatement error where the Authority pro-rated the HAP payment for August 2022 and abated the HAP payment for September through November 2022, but subsequently, whether due to a user or system error, HAP payments were paid out for the months from September through November 2022. ? 1 HAP abatement error where the Authority pro-rated the HAP payment for January & May 2022 and abated the HAP payment for February through April 2022, but subsequently, whether due to a user or system error, HAP payments were paid out for the months from January through May 2022. ? 1 HAP abatement error where the Authority didn't pro-rate the HAP payment withholding for June & December 2022 nor withhold the HAP payment for the month of July 2022. The Authority properly withheld the HAP payments for the months of August, September, October, and November 2022. Criteria: For units under HAP contract that fail the HQS inspection, the PHA must require the owner to correct any life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours after the inspections and all other 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. Questioned Costs: None. Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with applicable HUD regulations and HQS policies and as a result HAP payments were not properly abated which are designed to assure that landlords complete unit repairs timely to provide safe housing for tenants. Cause: Procedures to ensure compliance with all of the HUD requirements were not being carefully followed. Auditor?s Recommendation: The Authority should review procedures and increase training to employees and reviewers to ensure that the Authority is in compliance with HUD rules for HQS inspections. In addition, the Authority should implement a review procedure to make sure that HAP payments are properly abated when required. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The Authority agrees with the finding and has taken corrective action. See the ?Action Taken? on the Corrective Action Plan.