Finding 497220 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2024-09-17

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Tenant files are missing key documentation and contain errors, impacting eligibility and rent calculations.
  • Impacted Requirements: HUD regulations require accurate documentation for income verification, rent calculations, and tenant selection.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Conduct a comprehensive review of all tenant files to address deficiencies and ensure compliance.

Finding Text

Department of Housing and Urban Development Costs Federal Assistance Listing No. 14.871 – Housing Choice Voucher $ .00 2022-001 Tenant Files Condition and Criteria: The Authority’s purpose for existence is providing decent, safe and affordable housing to low-income persons. As such the Authority prepares a file for each admitted family, which contains information necessary to determine eligibility for assistance and calculations of rent assistance to be paid on the family’s behalf. HUD regulations prescribe the content of these family files. These requirements consist of the following: a. As a condition of admission or continue occupancy, require the tenant and other family members to provide necessary information, documentation, and releases for the PHA to verify income eligibility. b. For both family income examinations and reexaminations, 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. c. Determine income eligibility and calculate the tenant’s rent payment in accordance with HUD regulations. d. Select tenants from the public housing waiting list in accordance with the PHA’s tenant selection policies. e. Reexamine family income and composition at least once ever 12 months and adjust the tenant rent and housing assistance payment as necessary. Population and Items Tested: Testing of the thirty-seven files revealed the following deficiencies: a. One file lacked proper utility allowance documentation. b. One file revealed an incorrect Housing Assistance Payment. c. One file in which a lease and housing assistance payment contract was not executed. Auditor’s Recommendation: A thorough review of tenant files should be performed for the purpose of eliminating the deficiencies. This is a repeat finding. Grantee Response: We will comply with the auditor’s recommendation.

Corrective Action Plan

Phillips County Housing Authority respectfully submits the following corrective action plan for the year ended December 31, 2022. Contact person responsible for corrective action: Ms. Edna Turner, Executive Director Name and address of independent public accounting firm: Miller & Rose, PA 1309 East Race Searcy, AR 72143 Audit period: Year ended December 31, 2022 Oversight Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Financial Assistance Listing No. 14.871 Housing Choice Voucher 2022-001 Tenant Files Condition and Criteria: The Authority’s purpose for existence is providing decent, safe and affordable housing to low-income persons. As such, the Authority prepares a file for each admitted family, which contains information necessary to determine eligibility for assistance and calculations of rent assistance to be paid on the family’s behalf. HUD regulations prescribe the content of these family files. These requirements consist of the following: a. As a condition of admission or continued occupancy, require the tenant and other family members to provide necessary information, documentation, and releases for the PHA to verify income eligibility. b. For both family income examinations and reexaminations, 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. c. Determine income eligibility and calculate the tenant’s rent payment in accordance with HUD regulations. d. Select tenants from the public housing waiting list in accordance with the PHA’s tenant selection policies. e. Reexamine family income and composition at least once every 12 months and adjust the tenant rent and housing assistance payment as necessary. Population and Items Tested: Testing of the thirty-seven files revealed the following deficiencies: 1. One file lacked proper utility allowance documentation. 2. One file revealed an incorrect Housing Assistance Payment. 3. One file in which a lease and housing assistance payment contract was not executed. Recommendation for Corrective Action: A thorough review of tenant files should be performed for the purpose of eliminating the deficiencies. Responsible Official’s Response: We will comply with the auditor’s recommendation. We continue to strive to eliminate any deficiencies in this area. We have instituted checklists and review procedures to preclude any errors in documentation. Anticipated Completion Date: November 1, 2023

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Eligibility

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1073662 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $1.66M