Finding 573304 (2024-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-08-12

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority failed to maintain complete tenant files, leading to material non-compliance with eligibility requirements for the Section 8 program.
  • Impacted Requirements: Missing documents included consent forms and income verification, violating federal regulations for tenant eligibility verification.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement stronger internal controls to ensure all necessary documentation is collected and maintained for compliance with federal guidelines.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-001 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871 Noncompliance – E. Eligibility - Tenant Files Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance for Eligibility Criteria: Tenant Files. The PHA must do the following: As a condition of admission or continued occupancy, require the tenant and other family member to provide necessary information, documentation, and releases for the PHA to verify income eligibility (24 CFR sections 5.230, 5.609, and 982.516). These files are required to be maintained and available for examination at the time of audit. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussion with management, there were documents that were unavailable for examination at the time of audit. Context: Of a sample of eighteen (18) tenant files, the following information was unavailable for examination at the time of audit:  Consent to release information forms were missing in five (5) files  Verification of income was missing in one (1) file Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: $61,278 Cause: There is a material weakness in internal controls over the compliance for the eligibility type of compliance related to maintenance of tenant files. The Authority has not properly considered, designed, implemented, maintained and monitored a system of internal controls that reasonably assures the program is in compliance. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in material non-compliance with the eligibility type of compliance related to the maintenance of tenant files. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.

Corrective Action Plan

Authority Response and Planned Corrective Action: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The Authority will increase oversight in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program to ensure that established internal control policies are being followed on a timely basis. Tyler Martin, Executive Director, is responsible for implementing this corrective action by December 31, 2025.

Categories

Questioned Costs HUD Housing Programs Eligibility Material Weakness Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1149746 2024-001
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $6.87M
14.850 Public and Indian Housing $2.07M
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $929,835
14.870 Resident Opportunity and Supportive Services - Service Coordinators $125,284