Finding 609811 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-05
Audit: 30840
Organization: Berkeley Housing Authority (CA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Tenant files for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers program were missing key documents, leading to non-compliance with eligibility requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: The PHA must collect and maintain necessary documentation to verify income eligibility as per federal regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Authority should enhance internal controls to ensure compliance and proper documentation management moving forward.

Finding Text

Finding 2022-001 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program Federal Catalog Numbers: 14.871 Noncompliance ? E. Eligibility - Tenant Files Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Eligibility Criteria: Tenant Files. The PHA must do the following: As a condition of admission or continued occupancy, require the tenant and other family member to provide necessary information, documentation, and releases for the PHA to verify income eligibility (24 CFR sections 5.230, 5.609, and 982.516). These files are required to be maintained and available for examination at the time of audit. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority?s files and on discussion with management, there were documents that were unavailable for examination at the time of audit. Context: Of a sample size of twenty-eight (28) tenant files, the following information was unavailable for examination at the time of audit: ? HUD-50058 form was missing in two (2) files ? Verification of income and assets was missing in two (2) files Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: $13,297 Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over the compliance for the eligibility type of compliance related to the maintenance of tenant files. The Authority has not properly considered, designed, implemented, maintained and monitored a system of internal controls that reasonably assures the program is in compliance. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers program is in non-compliance with the eligibility type of compliance related to the maintenance of tenant files. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement. Authority Response: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The Authority will increase oversight in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers program to ensure that established internal control policies are being followed on a timely basis.

Categories

Questioned Costs HUD Housing Programs Eligibility Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 33369 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $32.33M
14.879 Mainstream Vouchers $1.59M
14.249 Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy $905,076