Finding 611446 (2022-002)

Material Weakness
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-08-01

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that tenant files for the Section 8 program were missing required documents, indicating a material weakness in internal controls.
  • Impacted Requirements: The Public Housing Authority (PHA) must collect and maintain necessary documentation to verify tenant income eligibility as per federal regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Authority should implement stronger internal control procedures to ensure compliance and improve oversight of tenant file maintenance.

Finding Text

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: Yes Material Weakness 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-two (22) tenant files, the following information was unavailable for examination at the time of audit: ? Annual inspection reports were missing in three (3) files Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: $51,405 Cause: There is a material weakness 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 Material Weakness Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 35004 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 35005 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 611447 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $18.28M
14.195 Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program $4.78M
14.850 Public and Indian Housing $4.41M
14.879 Mainstream Vouchers $1.43M
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $797,237
14.870 Resident Opportunity and Supportive Services - Service Coordinators $244,224
14.889 Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants $165,287
14.182 Section 8 New Construction and Substantial Rehabilitation $102,432