Finding Text
2022-001 Eligibility ? Tenant Files Section 8 Housing Voucher Cluster (Section 8): 14.871 Section 8 ? Housing Choice Vouchers 14.879 Mainstream Vouchers Material Weakness in Internal Control, Material Noncompliance Repeat finding of finding 2021-002 from the prior year September 30, 2021 Condition: Out of a total tenant population of approximately 573 tenants, 25 files were selected for testing. Exceptions were noted as follows: ? 1 file that did not contain a 214 affidavit for one member of the household, however they did have a birth certificate showing they were an eligible citizen. ? 2 files where the 214 affidavit was not checked for one member of the household certifying they were an eligible citizen, however they did have birth certificates to verify their citizenship. ? 5 files that did not contain a signed Form 9886 for at least one member of the household age 18 or over. ? 1 file where the tenant?s income was calculated correctly but had the wrong amount reported on the 50058, which would have decreased HAP rent by $11. ? 1 file where the prior year utility allowance schedule was used instead of the current year, however this had no effect on HAP rent. ? 1 file where there was no support that an inspection had been done for a new admission. ? 1 file that did not contain a tenancy addendum to support the contract rent and HAP rent for a tenant with a project-based voucher. ? 2 files where there was no support that an EIV report had been processed. In addition to the above, we noted the following during our new admissions testing (9 new admissions tested): ? 3 files that did not contain a passed inspection completed prior to move-in. ? 1 file that did not contain a signed lease agreement or tenancy addendum. ? 1 file where the request for tenancy approval was not executed until the day after the voucher had expired. Criteria: 24 CFR 982.516 requires internal controls to be in place to ensure compliance with HUD requirements, as well as maintain complete and accurate tenant files. In addition, the Authority?s administrative plan also requires following proper procedures for determination of HAP and documentation in the tenant files. Questioned Costs: None. Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with all of the HUD requirements regarding eligibility and tenant recertifications, which could result in incorrect total tenant payments for rent and HAP payments to landlords. Cause: Procedures to ensure compliance with all of the HUD requirements were not being fully implemented. 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. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The Authority concurs with this finding and will implement review procedures and provide ongoing training to staff.