Finding 525031 (2024-001)

Public Housing Program – CFDA No. 14.850a, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program; Grant period – fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 Criteria The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR’s) and HUD PIH Notices and Handbooks provide requirements and guidance for which the Public Housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Programs are to be administered and operated under. Condition and Perspective During April of 2024, HUD conducted a Compliance Monitoring review of the Authority’s Public Housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Programs. The Review Report dated May 14, 2024, included the following governance, Public Housing Program (PH) and Section Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) Review Findings: Governance Finding # 1: The PHA’s conflict of interest policy failed to address the Board’s conflict of interest governing Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Programs. Governance Finding #2: The PHA has all appointed Board positions filled, however, there is no formal procedure for maintaining these records nor a formal process to document appointments, qualifications, and tenure of Commissioners. PH Finding # 1: There are no provisions located in the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy and Pet Policy that the pet deposit will be held in an escrow account. PH Finding #2: The PHA did not use an updated Utility Allowance Schedule. Condition and Perspective (Continued) HCV Finding #1: The PHA’s Administrative Plan does not explicitly state the number of paystubs used to calculate wages. It was discovered in one of the sampled files that the participant’s income was calculated using two separate multiples, causing the income to be overstated. Additionally, one of the sampled files reviewed showed transposed numbers were used during the calculation of income, causing the participant’s income to be overstated. Lastly, one sampled file was missing an income verification form to verify income listed on Earned Income Verification report. HCV Finding # 2: A utility election was missing from one of the sampled participant’s files. HCV Finding # 3: Lead based paint form were missing from all but one sampled file. A lease effective date was before the HAP contract effective date. Deeds were missing from files. An owner/agent is different from what is listed on W-9 form. A direct deposit form lists another person as payee which is different from the listed vendor. HCV Finding #4: A zero-income statement is missing from a file with no income stated for an adult household member. Cause Failure to execute certain controls over requirements of the Programs. Effect Noncompliance with certain requirements of the Programs. Questioned Costs – None Recommendation The Authority has responded to HUD’s Review Findings with specific corrective actions it has implemented. We recommend that the Authority continue executing its implemented corrective actions.Reply Reply Management has implemented and executed specific corrective actions to address each of HUD’s Findings. The Authority’s Assistant Director, Satyam Polineni has assumed the responsibility of implementing and executing the specific corrective actions and has completed implementation as of February 14, 2025.