Finding 60171 (2022-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-28
Audit: 55457
Organization: Rockport Housing Authority (MA)
Auditor: Marcum LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Public Housing Authority (PHA) failed to properly verify tenant income and expenses, leading to miscalculations in rent and assistance payments.
  • Impacted Requirements: The PHA did not conduct annual reexaminations or obtain necessary third-party verifications as required by HUD regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Provide training to staff on reexamination procedures to ensure compliance and accuracy in tenant assessments.

Finding Text

2022-001 ? ELIGIBILITY Material Weakness/Material Noncompliance U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development CFDA #: 14.871 ? Housing Voucher Cluster CRITERIA PHA responsibility for reexamination and verification. (1) The PHA must conduct a reexamination of family income and composition at least annually. (2) The PHA must obtain and document in the tenant file third-party verification of the following factors, or must document in the tenant file why third-party verification was not available: (i) Reported family annual income; (ii) The value of assets; (iii) Expenses related to deductions from annual income; and (iv) Other factors that affect the determination of adjusted income. (24 CFR 982.516) CONDITION As a result of our audit procedures, we identified the following exceptions in our testing: ? Four (4) instances of income, asset, or medical miscalculation or insufficient verification ? Four (4) instances of incorrect payment standard ? Eight (8) instances of utility allowance miscalculation CAUSE The Authority experienced turnover in the administrative department. EFFECT The Authority is potentially incorrectly calculating and adjusting tenant rent and housing assistance payments. QUESTIONED COSTS Likely questioned costs - $2,161,346. CONTEXT We selected a sample of 16 vouchers from a population of 153. This was not a statistically valid sample. REPEAT FINDING This is not a repeat finding. RECOMMENDATION We recommend the Authority provide training for the performance of reexamination procedures. AUDITEE?S RESPONSE AND PLANNED CORRECTIVE ACTION See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN The Rockport Housing Authority (RHA) acknowledges the findings in our annual audit completed by Marcum. We will implement the following to resolve the current issues: Federal Awards - Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Instances of Income, Asset, or Medical Miscalculation or Insufficient Verification RHA has already put together a checklist to make sure that all items are collected and calculated properly. All annual re-examinations are currently up to date. In addition, the Executive Director will periodically select files to audit. Incorrect Payment Standard RHA has noted on future calendar to have the Board of Directors approve Payment Standards within 30 days of HUD releasing the rates. RHA's HCV Specialist will be notified immediately of the new rates to enter into PHA web and begin using with Annual and Interim certifications. This item has been added to the file checklist. Utility Allowance The Utility Allowance was add to the file checklist and will be reviewed during each annual and interim exam to assure that the proper amount is given to each Section 8 participant. RHA did experience some significant staffing changes over the last 18 months with both Executive Director and HCV Specialists. An interim Executive Director is currently in place and keeping a watchful eye on all items. In addition, a new HCV Specialist has been on board since February and RHA was able to secure an experience Section 8 consultant to train the new associate. Person Responsable for Corrective Action: Marie Mathes, Interim Executive Director Planned Implementation Date: Already complete.

Categories

Questioned Costs HUD Housing Programs Eligibility Material Weakness

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 60172 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 636613 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 636614 2022-002
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $2.34M
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers - Cares Act $35,402