2022-002 Housing Choice Voucher Program ? FALN No. 14.871 Recommendation: We recommend that the Commission review their policies and ensure that rent reasonableness is determined and documented for all rent changes. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: Rent Reasonableness is an essential requirement for the HCV program, as it ensures that the rents paid by the program participants are fair and comparable to the market rates. The following actions have been implemented to ensure rent reasonableness calculations are being made and properly applied: ? Staff uses an automated system called ?RentEllect?, that captures data of unassisted units in the Howard County market area and uses it to determine rent reasonableness. ? Staff documents the rent reasonableness determination for each program unit using clear and concise language. The documentation includes the source of information, the comparison units, the method of calculation, and the final rent decision. The documentation is maintained electronically and is attached to the tenant file in HCHC?s Yardi Database. The HCHC uses Yardi Software to manage all HCV program transactions. ? The HCV department trained staff on the rent reasonableness process and procedures and provided appropriate tools, including ?RentEllect,? to ensure accurate data. ? Supervisory staff will review the rent reasonableness determinations periodically and update the procedures as needed, especially when there are changes in the Fair Market Rents (FMRs), the rent to the owner, or the unit condition. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Paul Diggs, Director of HCVP Planned completion date for corrective action plan: December 1, 2023