Finding 389336 (2023-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-29

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority failed to conduct required annual Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections for nine out of twenty-four sampled units, indicating a significant compliance gap.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with HQS inspection criteria as outlined in the Authority's HCV Admin Plan and federal regulations, leading to a material weakness in internal controls.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Authority should develop and implement robust internal control procedures to ensure ongoing compliance with federal regulations and improve oversight of HQS inspections.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871 and 14.879 Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions – Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspections Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: HQS Inspections. Per the Authority's HCV Admin Plan, the PHA must inspect the unit leased to a family at least annually to determine if the unit meets the 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)). These inspection reports are required to be maintained and available for examination at the time of audit. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussion with management there were inspection reports that were unavailable for examination at the time of audit. Context: Of a sample size of twenty-four (24) units, nine (9) units did not have an annual HQS inspection performed. Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: $12,890 Cause: There is a material weakness in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. 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 HQS inspections. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority has recognized the material weakness in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers programs and will implement internal control procedures that will ensure compliance with federal regulations.

Corrective Action Plan

Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority has recognized the material weakness in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream Voucher programs and will implement internal control procedures that will ensure compliance with federal regulations. Michael McDougle, HCV Manager, will be responsible to implement this corrective action by June 30, 2024. CMHA has been working diligently over the past IO months to correct the inspection process that was not completed by the contracted inspectors through Inspection Group. Tenants were under the impression that they were not required to have inspections if someone was sick in their household, as previously waived during the pandemic. The HCV tenants have since been informed with each month's recertification mailing that they are required under HUD regulations to have an annual inspection. CMHA has also trained and assigned two HCV staff to become inspectors and have a process in place where one employee completes the annual inspections and the other employee follows up on the reinspection as needed. If inspections are not completed by time of recertification, the HAP payment is held. To date, annual inspections have been completed by CMHA staff.

Categories

Questioned Costs HUD Housing Programs Material Weakness Special Tests & Provisions Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 389337 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 389338 2023-003
    Material Weakness
  • 389339 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 389340 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 389341 2023-003
    Material Weakness
  • 965778 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 965779 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 965780 2023-003
    Material Weakness
  • 965781 2023-001
    Material Weakness
  • 965782 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 965783 2023-003
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $2.62M
14.850 Public and Indian Housing $2.19M
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $1.45M
14.879 Mainstream Vouchers $319,652
14.267 Continuum of Care Program $311,696