Finding 554718 (2024-002)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
CELN
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-04-10

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization lacks a proper review process for eligibility determinations and related financial activities, leading to potential noncompliance with federal requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Key compliance areas affected include cash management, eligibility, reporting, and special tests.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen internal controls by implementing policies for segregation of duties and reassessing staff responsibilities to enhance oversight.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-002: Lower Income Housing Assistance Program - Section 8 New Construction and Substantial Rehabilitation Assistance Listing Number: 14.182 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Repeat of Finding 2023-002 and 2022-002) Compliance Requirements: Cash Management, Eligibility, Reporting, Special Tests and Provisions Type of finding: Internal Control Over Compliance (significant deficiency) Criteria: The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards require that the non-Federal entity establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award (2 CFR 200.303(a)). Condition: The Organization has not implemented a review or monitoring process to ensure propriety in eligibility determinations, tenant lease agreements, housing assistance payment requests, and return of funds for vacant units and rent adjustments to contract rent included on the monthly Housing Assistance Payment vouchers. Cause: The compliance responsibilities of the Organization are performed by one person which has made it difficult to establish a proper review process over cash management, eligibility, reporting, and special tests and provisions requirements. Effect: Noncompliance with the Lower Income Housing Assistance Program - Section 8 New Construction and Substantial Rehabilitation requirements may exist and not be detected by the Organization. Recommendation: The Organization should strengthen its internal controls with adopted policies and procedures to ensure a review process is established through adequate segregation of duties. The Organization should consider assessing and realigning the duties and responsibilities of administrative staff allowing the administrator to act in a more supervisory position. Grantee’s Response: See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2024-002: Lower Income Housing Assistance Program - Section 8 New Construction and Substantial Rehabilitation Assistance Listing Number: 14.182 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Repeat of Finding 2023-002 and 2022-002) Compliance Requirements: Cash Management, Eligibility, Reporting, Special Tests and Provisions Type of finding: Internal Control Over Compliance (significant deficiency) Recommendation: The Organization should strengthen its internal controls with adopted policies and procedures to ensure a review process is established through adequate segregation of duties. The Organization should consider assessing and realigning the duties and responsibilities of administrative staff allowing the administrator to act in a more supervisory position. Action Taken: At this time, we do not have an administrative assistant/Activities Coordinator. Administrator works closely with the bookkeeper. Administrator and Executive Director will schedule every third recertification for review. Executive Director does review of the financial statements on a monthly basis when they are emailed over just before Policy Board meetings. During audit last year, we understood that reporting and eligibility did not have to happen at each interval but a review by another party in office every few re-certifications, as well as reviewing cash management. If there are any questions regarding this plan, please call the responsible party at (719) 852-5778. Sincerely yours, Monica Wolfe Executive Director Tri-County Senior Citizens and Housing, Inc.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Special Tests & Provisions Subrecipient Monitoring Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Cash Management Eligibility Reporting Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 554719 2024-003
    Material Weakness
  • 1131160 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1131161 2024-003
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.182 Lower Income Housing Assistance Program_section 8 New Construction/substantial Rehabilitation $839,905
14.195 Project-Based Rental Assistance (pbra) $197,772