2022-004 Housing Choice Voucher Program ? FALN No. 14.871 Recommendation: We recommend the Commission review their abatement procedures to ensure any unit that has not met the HQS standards is properly abated. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The following actions are currently taking place to ensure abatement procedures are met when required due to failed inspections: ? The HCHC will ensure that its third-party HQS inspectors provide data on all fails that require abatement. To achieve this, the third-party inspection company has created a working document that will be updated twice a week with units that have failed twice and are recommended for abatement. The document will be shared with the Commission after each update. ? The assigned HCV Specialist will notify the landlord and tenant of the failed inspection and specific deficiencies that must be corrected. ? The assigned HCV Specialist will ensure that the third-party inspection company re-inspects to verify that the repairs have been completed and meet HQS standards. ? If the landlord fails to make the repairs by the established deadline, the HCHC will initiate abatement procedures by withholding or reducing housing assistance payments (HAP) once the unit passes inspection. The Director and Program Manager will review the inspection reports and initiate abatement. ? The assigned HCVP Specialist will provide the tenant with information and assistance to find alternative housing, such as issuing a new voucher, extending the search time, or offering relocation expenses. ? The HCHC will terminate the HAP contract with the landlord if the unit remains abated for more than 180 days or if the landlord fails to comply with other contractual obligations. The Director of Rental Assistance and the Program manager will review all recommended abatements monthly to determine who will be terminated from the HCV program. We will review all Yardi reports and the recommended abatement spreadsheet from the third-party inspector. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Paul Diggs, Director of HCVP Planned completion date for corrective action plan: December 31, 2023