Finding 386173 (2022-005)

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers Programs Federal Catalog Numbers: 14.871 and 14.879 Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions – Waiting List Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: Selections from the Waiting List. The PHA must have written policies in its Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program administrative plan for selecting applicants from the waiting list and PHA documentation must show that the PHA follows these policies when selecting applicants from the waiting list. Except for as provided in 24 CFR section 982.203 (Special admission (non-waiting list), all families admitted to the program must be selected from the waiting list. “Selection” from the waiting list generally occurs when the PHA notifies a family whose name reaches the top of the waiting list to come in to verify eligibility for admission (24CFR sections 5.410, 982.54(d), and 982.201 through 982.207). Condition: Based upon inspection of the waiting list provided to us during the time of audit, the new move-in list and discussions with management, it could not be determined with any certainty that certain new move-ins to the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers programs were selected from the wait list in an order that is in accordance with the Authority’s Section 8 Administration policy. Context: Of a sample size of forty (40) Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers' new move-ins and eight (8) Mainstream Vouchers' new move-ins, twenty-two (22) and one (1), respectively, could not be traced to the Authority's waiting lists. Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $98,464 Mainstream Vouchers $4,104 Cause: There is a material weakness in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance. The Authority has not properly considered, designed, implemented, maintained and monitored a system of internal controls that assures the program is in compliance. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers Programs are in material non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to selection of applicants from the waiting list. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.