Finding 584411 (2023-003)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-01-09

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: A tenant's income was miscalculated, leading to incorrect rent and housing assistance payments.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal guidelines for income eligibility and rent calculations under HUD regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Train staff on accurate calculations and enhance quality reviews of tenant files to prevent future errors.

Finding Text

Significant Deficiency 2023-003 Eligibility Federal Program – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 Grant Award No. – MN107-Housing Choice Voucher Federal Award Year – 2023 Criteria or Specific Requirement – The Authority must determine income eligibility and calculate the tenant’s rent payment and housing assistance payment using the documentation from third party verification in accordance with 24 CFR Part 5 Subpart F (24 CFR section 5.601 et seq.) (24 CFR sections 982.201, 982.515, and 982.516). Condition – During our review of tenant files, one tenant’s verified income was incorrectly calculated and entered into the rent determination worksheet, resulting in the tenant’s rent and HAP portion to be miscalculated. The error noted remained undetected after completion of a quality control worksheet, which functions as the Authority’s primary internal review process to ensure an annual certification, at minimum, was performed and appropriate tenant information is documented. Context – We reviewed a sample of 13 of the Authority's 125 tenant files for compliance with program eligibility requirements. Effect – Tenants may not be provided the proper housing assistance in accordance with their income and eligibility factors. Cause – Lack of controls and oversight during the year. Repeat Finding – This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation – We recommend the Authority follow its policy and ensure its staff members are properly trained on calculating and applying the proper assistance to tenants receiving vouchers. We also emphasize performing a quality review over its tenant files to ensure all income and eligibility factors are properly determined. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions – The Authority recognizes the detection failure and will determine the best steps to implement in order to create a more robust and effective review process.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Eligibility Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 7969 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 7970 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 584412 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $672,118
14.850 Public and Indian Housing $151,571
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $65,671