Finding Text
Department of Housing and Urban Development, Passed through Hearth Connections, Continuum of Care, Federal Financial Assistance Listing/CFDA # 14.267 Special Tests and Provisions Material Weakness in Internal Controls Over Compliance Grant Award Number: Affects all grant awards included under Federal Financial Assistance Listing/ CFDA 14.267 on the Schedule. Criteria: When grant funds are used by the Organization to pay for rent, the Organization must ensure that the rents do not exceed rents currently being charged by the same owner for comparable unassisted units and the portion of grant funds may not exceed HUD-determined fair market rents. These calculations should be reviewed prior to the rent being paid. Condition: During our testing, we identified five instances where the participant?s file did not have documentation that the rent reasonableness test was performed in a timely manner. In addition, we identified 19 instances where the participant?s file did not have documentation that the rent reasonableness test was reviewed. Cause: The Organization?s controls did not operate as designed, which resulted in rent reasonableness tests not being performed timely and/or reviewed before the rent being paid. Effect: Inadequate internal controls over compliance could result in noncompliance with the federal program. Questioned Costs: N/A Context/Sampling: A nonstatistical sample of 34 participants out of 170 were selected for testing. Repeat Finding from Prior Years: Yes, prior year finding 2021-002. Recommendation: We recommend management revise their internal controls to make sure that rent reasonableness tests are performed and reviewed by the appropriate personnel prior to the rent being paid. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.