Finding 566965 (2024-002)

2024-002 Public Housing Tenant Files: Eligibility Program: U.S. Department of HUD: Public and Indian Housing Program (ALN #14.850) Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Statement of Condition: We tested 19 out of approximately 181 tenant files and discovered the following errors: • 1 tenant file had the following error: o A dependent of the household did not check the checkbox on the 214-affidavit form indicating their immigration status. However, based on the dependent’s birth certificate, the dependent is a U.S. citizen. • 1 tenant file had the following error: o The tenant’s childcare income was calculated and reported incorrectly on the 50058 form in the amount of $2,472. Correcting the tenant’s childcare income to $2,237 would decrease the tenant’s rent by $6. • 1 tenant file had the following error: o Support for the tenant’s wage income could not be located. It’s unknown as to whether the tenant’s wage income is calculated and reported correctly on the 50058 form and whether the tenant’s rent is calculated correctly. • 1 tenant file had the following error: o The tenant’s social security income was carried forward from the prior year in the amount of $11,172. Correcting the tenant’s social security income to $12,144 for the annual recertification period tested, would increase the tenant’s rent by $25. • 1 tenant file had the following error: o The tenant’s social security income was carried forward from the prior year in the amount of $12,456. Correcting the tenant’s social security income to $13,548 for the annual recertification period tested, would increase the tenant’s rent by $27. • 1 tenant file had the following error: o The tenant’s other source income of $720 was carried forward from the prior year. The tenant’s income was not updated for the annual recertification and it’s unknown as to whether the tenant’s other source income is calculated and reported correctly on the 50058 form and whether the tenant’s rent is calculated correctly. Recommendation: The Authority should correct the deficiencies noted in the tested files and utilize an ongoing quality control review process on the entire tenant population to ensure proper compliance with the requirements related to tenant eligibility. Ongoing staff training and timely management reviews should be utilized to ensure staff is aware of acceptable procedures. In addition, the Authority should review staffing levels, skill sets and case load. Action Taken: The Authority concurs with this finding. The Authority has an established review, oversight and training process and will continue to improve its review, oversight, and training process to ensure proper procedures are being followed. All audit findings of the files tested have been corrected. The Authority has implemented a quality control system so that every file receives a quality review for appropriate third-party verification and upfront income, and assistance is determined. The agency has created a Family Worksheet and a PH Computation Worksheet to help staff identify errors in calculations and to check for accuracy prior to completing Annual Reexaminations and Interim Recertifications. The agency has changed its filing system to enable staff to thoroughly review all forms prior to admission and during regular recertification and interim adjustment processing. The agency created an “Other Adult” packet to ensure 214 forms and other pertinent are completed for all adult household members. Management will monitor and review counselor’s strength and weaknesses and determine if additional training and/or monitoring is needed.