Finding Text
Item 2023-001 - HQS Inspections
Program: Section 8 Choice Vouchers
Requirement: Housing Quality Standards Inspections and enforcement must be done in accordance with HUD requirements.
Condition: HQS Inspections were not completed timely and HUD HQS enforcement standards were not followed for tenants that failed HQS re-inspections.
Questioned Cost: Not applicable.
Context: HQS tenant enforcement and/or landlord abatement is required for tenants with failed HQS re-inspections.
Effect: HQS inspections tenant enforcement and abatement are not being done in accordance with HUD requirements.
Cause: Sampling was statistically valid and a systemic problem.
Prior Year Finding: This is a new finding in 2023.
Recommendation: It is recommended that the Housing Authority integrates the appropriate controls to ensure that HQS inspections and re-inspections are completed in accordance with HUD requirements and take prompt action on tenant enforcement and/or landlord abatement for failed re-inspections.
Management’s Response: During our annual audit, it was found that our HQS Inspector had been too lenient with our landlords in terms of making repairs to units. To that end, we have established a tracking mechanism for all Failed Inspections, with a timeframe related to when the units will go on abatement. This tracking mechanism is in line with resources we utilize to track our SEMAP indicators, is updated weekly by our HQS Inspector, and monitored by our HCV Specialist and Housing Operations Director for compliance.