Finding 502089 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2024-10-09
Audit: 324276
Organization: River Kourt Apartments (OR)
Auditor: Jones & Roth PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: River Kourt Apartments failed to recertify tenants on time, leading to a material weakness in internal controls and noncompliance with HUD requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: The eligibility compliance requirement under HUD's Section 811 program mandates annual tenant recertifications, which were not completed for 15 out of 17 tenants.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should enhance internal control procedures to ensure timely tenant recertifications moving forward.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-002 Type of Finding: Material weakness in internal control over compliance and material noncompliance. Federal program: HUD Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities (Assistance Listing #14.181) Compliance Requirement: Eligibility Criteria: In accordance with River Kourt Apartments’ regulatory agreement with HUD for its HUD Section 811 Capital Advance and HUD Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC), River Kourt Apartments is required to annually recertify its tenants. It is the responsibility of management to design and implement internal controls to ensure the tenants are recertified within the applicable timeframe required by HUD. Condition: River Kourt Apartments did not perform recertifications for all tenants within the timeframe specified by HUD. We noted significant delays in tenant recertification procedures. Cause: There were not properly designed or implemented internal controls to ensure the tenant recertifications were performed in the timeframe required by HUD. Effect: The effect is material non-compliance with the terms of the HUD program listed above. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat Finding: Yes, see Finding 2023-001. Context: We noted from review of the Forms HUD-52670 Schedule of Tenant Assistance Payments Due and other client prepared schedules, several tenants had not been recertified during the fiscal year as required. From the total 17 tenants at June 30, 2024, the annual recertifications for 15 tenants were past due. We selected a sample of 2 tenants from a population of 21 total tenants for the fiscal year for eligibility testing. The sample was not a statistically valid sample. Our sample of 2 tenants did not reveal any exceptions. Recommendation: We recommend management review the current internal control procedures and implement additional procedures to ensure annual recertifications are performed as required by HUD. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Management’s Response and Planned Corrective Actions: 1. The name of the contact person(s) responsible for the corrective action a. Dana Petersen-Crabb, Sr. Director of Housing, ShelterCare b. Amanda Smith, Property Development Manager, ShelterCare 2. The corrective action planned: a. Pinehurst Management was overseeing property through 4/30/23. ShelterCare was assigned as new managing agent 5/1/2023. It took ShelterCare’s property management department some time to hire an Assistant Property Manager and for the department to determine just how they would tackle the number of recertifications that were delinquent. b. ShelterCare is working to ensure that the onsite manager will be trained in HUD compliance. Training started in October 2023 and continues. c. We are currently prioritizing recertifications by oldest first and getting the property recertifications back on track. d. Monthly review of TRACS to ensure recertifications are being completed in a timely manner. 3. The anticipated completion date: a. Monthly review of TRACS reports will be implemented by 10/1/2023. Training was provided to new staff in February of 2024 and is ongoing. b. Recertifications are expected to be completed by December 31, 2024.

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 502090 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 502091 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1078531 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1078532 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1078533 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.181 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities $1.16M