Finding 558096 (2024-005)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-04-29

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Unallowable expenses, including staff treats and bonuses, were charged to the project, violating HUD regulations.
  • Impacted Requirements: All project expenses must be reasonable, necessary, and benefit the tenants, as per HUD guidelines.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement stronger internal controls to ensure only allowable costs are charged to the project.

Finding Text

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – CFDA #14.155 Mortgage Insurance for the Purchase or Refinance of Existing Multifamily Housing Projects Applicable Federal Award Number and Year – HUD loan under Section 207/223(f), HUD Project No. 101-11316 Allowable Costs/Allowable Activities Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Immaterial Instance of Noncompliance Criteria: As required by the HUD regulatory agreement, expenses charged to the project operations, whether for management agent services or other expenses, must be reasonable, typical, necessary and show a clear benefit to the tenants of the property. Condition: During our testing of cash disbursements, we identified unallowable expenditures charged to the project for staff treats and staff bonus pay. Cause: The Authority’s internal controls related to reviewing charges allocated to the project were not operating as designed and was an oversight by staff. Effect: The project was charged for and paid unallowable expenses. Questioned Costs: $344 Context/Sampling: A non-statistical sample of 60 disbursements were selected for testing, which accounted for $103,023 out of the total $2,889,933 disbursement population. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No. Recommendation: We recommend that the Authority establish controls to ensure that all costs charged to the project are for allowable costs. View of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2024-005: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – CFDA #14.155 Mortgage Insurance for the Purchase or Refinance of Existing Multifamily Housing Projects Applicable Federal Award Number and Year – HUD loan under section 207/223(f), HUD Project No. 101-11316 Allowable Costs/ Allowable Activities Name of contact Person: Renee Gallegos, Finance Manager Anticipated completion date: Completed Planned Corrective Action: • Management has updated internal controls to include that all costs charged to the project are for allowable costs.

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles HUD Housing Programs Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 558093 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 558094 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 558095 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1134535 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1134536 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1134537 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1134538 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.155 Mortgage Insurance for the Purchase Or Refinancing of Existing Multifamily Housing Projects $15.83M
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $11.53M
14.195 Project-Based Rental Assistance (pbra) $3.62M
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $600,000
14.239 Home Investment Partnerships Program $500,000
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $114,750