Finding 386896 (2023-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-28
Audit: 299209
Organization: Pittsfield Housing Authority (RI)
Auditor: Marcum LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There were significant errors in rent calculations due to inadequate verification of income and assets.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with HUD regulations for documenting family income and timely reexaminations was not met.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Create and use a recertification checklist to ensure all necessary documentation is collected for tenant files.

Finding Text

2023-003 – ELIGIBILITY: RENT CALCULATION Material Weakness/Material Noncompliance U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ALN #: 14.850 – Public and Indian Housing CRITERIA For both family income examinations and reexamination, obtain and document in the family file third-party verification of (1) reported family annual income (2) the value of assets (3) expenses related to deductions from annual income; and (4) other factors that affect the determination of adjusted income or income-based rent (24 CFR Section 960.259). Determine income eligibility and calculate the tenant’s rent payment using the documentation from third-party verification in accordance with 24 CFR Part 5 subpart F (24 CFR section 5.601 et seq.) (24CFR sections 960.253, 960.255, 960.259). CONDITION As a result of our procedures, we identified the following exceptions in our testing:  Twenty-seven (27) instances of income, asset or medical miscalculations or insufficient verification  Ten (10) instances of untimely reexaminations CAUSE The Authority’s system of internal controls over the participant recertification process was not sufficient to meet the requirements established by HUD. EFFECT Redetermination of tenant’s rent was not performed in accordance with HUD regulations. As a result, tenants may have paid more or less in rent than they should have paid. QUESTIONED COSTS None noted. CONTEXT We selected a sample of 40 from a population of 153. This was not a statistically valid sample. REPEAT FINDING Repeat of finding 2022-003. RECOMMENDATION We recommend that the Authority develop and implement a recertification checklist to accompany the tenant file to ensure all required documentation is obtained.

Corrective Action Plan

At the beginning of FY2024, under the terms of PHA's Recovery Agreement with HUD, PHA's consultants conducted PIH internal QCs and staffing assessments. As a result of those findings, PHA has reorganized and increased the PHA staff, with a new Public Housing Manager. Staff are being fully trained regarding eligibility determinations and rent calculations, checklists are being developed and regular internal QCs performed, with an objective of full compliance by the end of calendar year 2024.

Categories

Eligibility HUD Housing Programs Material Weakness Reporting Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 386894 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 386895 2023-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 386897 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 963336 2023-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 963337 2023-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 963338 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 963339 2023-004
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $4.66M
14.850 Public and Indian Housing $825,861
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $114,416