Finding 42473 (2022-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2022-10-24
Audit: 38987
Organization: Victory Crest, Inc. (MD)
Auditor: Cohnreznick LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Three out of six tenant files lacked timely signatures on the annual recertification Form 50059, violating HUD guidelines.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance risks renting to ineligible tenants and errors in HUD rent subsidies, with this being a repeat finding for the third consecutive year.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Ensure all Form 50059s are signed on time; management has implemented new oversight and procedures to improve compliance.

Finding Text

Criteria - Eligibility In accordance with HUD program guidelines under which Victory Crest operates, the annual tenant recertification Form 50059 is required to be signed by the tenant prior to the required annual recertification date. Condition In connection with lease file testing, we noted three out of six tenant files did not have annual tenant recertification Form 50059 completed timely. Cause Personnel responsible for tenant recertifications failed to obtain signatures on three of six Form 50059s selected for testing prior to the required annual recertification date. Effect or Potential Effect Noncompliance with HUD guidelines could result in units being rented to ineligible tenants or errors in the rent subsidies paid by HUD. Identification as a Repeat Finding Victory Crest has received the same finding for the two previous years which were documented in findings 2020-001 and 2021-001, respectively. Recommendation Victory Crest should ensure that all Form 50059s are signed by the tenant prior to the required annual recertification date. Auditor Noncompliance Code: R - Section 8 program administration Finding Resolution Status: In-process Views of Responsible Officials In 2022 management hired additional oversight staff at the corporate level and changed the procedure for reviewing and approving annual certifications. The new Directors of Operations (along with the Compliance Specialists) are responsible for reviewing the certification process to ensure that certifications are completed timely. In addition, any property that has late certifications consistently are required to submit an Action Plan to the Regional Manager and update weekly on the progress to address the outstanding certifications. Management?s regional team and director of operations are focused on timely completion of certifications and review reports daily to make sure this is on task.

Corrective Action Plan

In 2022 management hired additional oversight staff at the corporate level and changed the procedure for reviewing and approving annual certifications. The new Directors of Operations (along with the Compliance Specialists) are responsible for reviewing the certification process to ensure that certifications are completed timely. In addition, any property that has late certifications consistently are required to submit an Action Plan to the Regional Manager and update weekly on the progress to address the outstanding certifications. Management?s regional team and director of operations are focused on timely completion of certifications and review reports daily to make sure this is on task.

Categories

Eligibility HUD Housing Programs

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 618915 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.157 Supportive Housing for the Elderly $7.00M
14.239 Home Investment Partnerships Program $1.01M