Finding 522671 (2024-002)

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Moving to Work Demonstration Program Federal Catalog Numbers: 14.881 Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions - Housing Quality Standards Inspections Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance 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 were units that failed inspections that did not pass reinspection within 30 days without penalty. Context: There were thirty four (34) units with failed inspections. Of a sample size of four (4) failed inspections, two (2) did not pass reinspection within 30 days. Housing assistance payments were not abated nor were the tenants relocated or terminated from the program. Our sample size is statistically valid. Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to housing quality standards inspections. The Authority has not maintained and monitored a system of internal controls that reasonably assures the program is in compliance. Effect: The Moving to Work Demonstration Program is in non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to housing quality standards inspections. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.