Finding 517608 (2024-001)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-01-03

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The PHA failed to conduct timely re-inspections for units that did not meet Housing Quality Standards, specifically one unit did not pass within the required 30 days.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Housing Quality Standards inspections and timely correction of deficiencies as outlined in 24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.405(b).
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Develop and implement a corrective action plan to ensure compliance with inspection timelines and improve staffing for timely inspections.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-001 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871 Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions - Housing Quality Standards Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant Deficiency in Internal Control for Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: Housing Quality Standards Inspections. The PHA must inspect the unit leased to a family at least biennially to determine if the unit meets the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the PHA must conduct quality control re-inspections. The PHA must prepare a unit inspection report (24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.405(b)). For units that fail inspection the PHA must correct all life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours and all other deficiencies within 30 days. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussion with management, there was a unit that failed its inspection and did not pass within 30 days without penalty. Context: There were forty seven (47) units with failed inspections. Of a sample size of five (5) failed inspections, one (1) unit did not pass reinspection within 30 days. Housing assistance payments were not abated nor was the tenant relocated. Our sample size is statistically valid. Cause: The Authority's contract administrator for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program was unable to complete the inspection in a timely basis due to lack of manpower. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement a corrective action plan that will assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.

Corrective Action Plan

Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority has an interlocal agreement with a neighboring housing authority for administration of the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program. The authority understands the reason for the finding, in that the unit did not pass reinspection within the required period without penalty. Previously a quality control sample of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher files administered by the neighboring Housing Authority had been reviewed each month. This was with respect to the income calculation, specifically. The Authority will add a verification of inspection requirements to this process, however, effective 12/31/2024 the Authority has terminated the administration contract with the neighboring housing authority. The Authority has hired staff to focus on the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program and compliance with program requirements. Heather Blough, Executive Director, will be responsible to implement this corrective action by June 30, 2025.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Special Tests & Provisions

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1094050 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $5.45M
10.415 Rural Rental Housing Loans $3.38M
14.247 Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program $1.02M
10.420 Rural Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance $848,514
14.195 Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program $800,321
14.850 Public and Indian Housing $645,372
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $473,293
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $259,281
14.239 Home Investment Partnerships Program $3,224