Finding Text
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name Housing Vouchers Cluster 14.871 and 14.879
Federal Award Identification Number and Year Not applicable
Pass through Entity Not applicable
Finding Type Significant deficiency
Repeat Finding No
Criteria Under the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the Commission accepts applications for rental assistance, selects applicants for admission, and issues family vouchers confirming eligibility. The Commission pays the owner of the unit that the family leases a portion of the rent (Housing Assistance Payment HAP) on behalf of the family. Under 24 CFR 5.230, 5.609, and 982.516, the Commission must verify and maintain documents supporting family income eligibility. This process needs to be performed annually. 24 CFR 982.516 (f) requires PHAs to establish procedures that are appropriate and necessary to ensure that income data provided by the applicant or participant families is accurate and complete.
Condition Participant files selected for testing did not include complete information to support the participant's income to determine the level of benefits provided.
Questioned Costs Unknown
Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed Not applicable
Context A total of 60 tenant files were tested, and the results are as follows:
A total of 3 participants lacked income support, and, upon recalculation of income, there was an increase in tenant rent.
Cause and Effect The Commission is not completely following the policies and procedures it has in place to ensure proper and timely compliance with regard to tenant rent calculations. The Commission could be charging the incorrect amount of rent or could be housing ineligible tenants.
Recommendation The Commission should establish procedures to ensure participant eligibility is accurately calculated and reviewed annually. Periodic internal review of tenant files would help identify errors in a timely manner.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions The Housing Choice Voucher Program will work towards and maintain program compliance to ensure we are meeting all regulatory requirements. We will do this through staff hiring and restructuring. Ongoing in house and industry training will help staff stay current and skilled on all program rules and updates as it pertains to the HCV Program with monthly and weekly reporting and monitoring.
The Commission understands the challenges outlined above, and we have implemented measures to improve, redefine, address, and resolve all items according to HUD best practices. We will continue our ongoing efforts and have measurable goals with set dates and timelines. This will show marked improvement over the next 6-12 months in the following areas:
• Reduction of annual recertifications
• Increased utilization
• Increased PBV potential/new RFP
• PIC error corrective actions
• Increased landlord outreach/landlord fairs
• Customer service improvement/call center staffing
• Continued industry training for all HCV housing specialists
• HCV department RFP contract proposal