Finding 504392 (2023-003)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-11-01
Audit: 326953
Organization: Township of Bloomfield (NJ)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Tenant files for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program showed discrepancies, indicating non-compliance with eligibility requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: The PHA must verify income eligibility and maintain accurate tenant files as per federal regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement stronger internal controls to ensure compliance and increase oversight of the program.

Finding Text

Finding 2023-003 Information on the federal program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 7 Housing Choice Voucher Program, CFDA #14.871, Grant Period 1/1/23 - 12/31/23 Compliance/Internal Control over Compliance: Eligibility Criteria or specific requirement: Tenant Files. The PHA must do the following: As a condition of admission or continued occupancy, require the tenant and other family member to provide necessary information, documentation, and releases for the PHA to verify income eligibility (24CFR sections 5.230, 5.609, and 982.516). These files are required to be maintained and available for examination at the time of audit. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Agency’s files and on discussion with management, there were discrepancies noted on the HUD-50058’s, Questioned costs: $6,831 Context: Of a sample size of thirteen (13) tenant files we noted the following: • Income was miscalculated on the HUD-50058 form in one (1) file. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in non-compliance with the eligibility type of compliance related to the maintenance of tenant files. Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over the compliance for the eligibility type of compliance related to the maintenance of tenant files. Recommendation: We recommend the Agency design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement. Management’s response: The Agency accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The Agency will increase oversight in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program to ensure that established internal control policies are being followed on a timely basis.

Corrective Action Plan

none

Categories

Questioned Costs HUD Housing Programs Eligibility Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 504390 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 504391 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1080832 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1080833 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1080834 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $14.06M
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $3.16M
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $1.44M
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $837,238
93.323 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (elc) $127,576
97.044 Assistance to Firefighters Grant $62,074
20.616 National Priority Safety Programs $51,700
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $25,345
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $19,320
16.922 Equitable Sharing Program $16,944
16.607 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program $7,565
97.042 Emergency Management Performance Grants $5,000