Finding 538148 (2024-001)

2024-001 – Eligibility for Housing Assistance Condition: During the testing of tenant files, certain documentation deficiencies were noted as summarized below: 1 – Incorrect Rental Calculation on client DNSE 1 – Incorrect amount of support provided to DNSE, and 1 – Missing documentation of lease contract for client AGFA Corrective Action: Section 1 RE: Incorrect Rental Calculation & Incorrect amount of support paid to landlord: WNCAP will continue utilizing the eligibility checklist implemented with the 2022 corrective action plan, as it has resulted in the significant reduction of errors, as evidenced by the continued improvement in comparison to previous audits. The incorrect calculation referenced in this finding was due to a typo, which resulted in an overpayment. To catch simple human errors such as this in the future, management will update the rent calculation worksheet to include reminders to double check data entry in fields that are easy to transpose. Management will also update the recertification process to add the following additional steps: The Data Technician will also review the rent calculation worksheet and the supporting documentation to ensure the amounts in the supporting document(s) match the entry in the worksheet; the Housing Coordinator will conduct a randomized audit of at least two rent calculation worksheets each month. Section 2 RE: Missing documentation of lease contract. WNCAP management will confer with state grant monitors to create and implement a zero-tolerance policy that abates payments immediately if a landlord or client does not provide the documents necessary for recertification in a timely manner. Unfortunately, this will likely result in some evictions and may jeopardize WNCAP’s ability to recruit landlords in a highly competitive market, but there is no guidance on any alternatives that would preserve housing stability as long as possible while still being considered compliant. Evidence of the improvements made by management is reflected by the significant decrease in the number of deficient records compared to the FY2022-23 audit: 2022-23 Total Deficient Eligibility Records: 8 2023-24 Total Deficient Eligibility Records: 3 WNCAP expects to see continued improvement in subsequent audits.