Finding 392365 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-04-05
Audit: 302692
Organization: Nevins Manor, Inc. (MA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The organization failed to repay loan advances from the Reserve for Replacement escrow within the required three-month period.
  • Impacted Requirements: HUD mandates timely repayment of loan advances; failure to comply can lead to significant deficiencies in internal controls.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Obtain HUD approval for delayed repayments and implement stronger internal controls to ensure compliance moving forward.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Name: Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Assistance Listing Number: 14.157 Award Period: January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 Type of Finding: - Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance - Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: HUD requires that loan advances from the Reserve for Replacement escrow be repaid within three months of the advance of funds. Condition: Loan advances of $30,000 from February 2023 and $38,500 from June 2023 were not repaid to the Reserve for Replacement escrow within three months and approval was not obtained from HUD to delay the repayment period. Questioned costs: None Context: The Organization made seven withdrawals from the Reserve for Replacement escrow during the period under audit. Two of these withdrawals were loan advances to cover cash shortfalls from operations while the Project awaited the increase in rental rates effective February 1, 2023 which was not paid by HUD until the third quarter of 2023. Cause: The Organization did not have appropriate controls in place to monitor the timely repayment of loan advances from the Reserve for Replacement escrow. Effect: There were no negative effects to the Project. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization obtain approval from HUD to repay the loan advances after the initial due date and to establish internal controls to monitor the repayment of loan advances to ensure compliance with HUD requirements. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. We have improved our controls to avoid this from happening again.

Corrective Action Plan

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly – Assistance Listing No. 14.157 Recommendation: The Auditors recommend that the Organization obtain approval from HUD to repay the loan advances after the initial due date and to establish internal controls to monitor the repayment of loan advances to ensure compliance with HUD requirements. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: Procedures have been put in place that all replacement reserve requests due to cash shortfalls are elevated to the VP of Operations who will ensure a plan is in place for timely repayment. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Steve Lodi Planned completion date for corrective action plan: March 21, 2024.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 968807 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.157 Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly $4.50M