Finding 613208 (2022-002)

Material Weakness
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2022-12-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Corporation is not following its own written policies for eligibility and documentation in the Indian Housing Block Grant program.
  • Impacted Requirements: Key requirements include annual recertification, proof of tribal enrollment, and maintaining complete application checklists.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement internal controls, such as a signed checklist for required documentation, to ensure compliance with policies and regulations.

Finding Text

Federal Program: Indian Housing Block Grant (including CARES) AL #14.867 Criteria: The Program requires the Corporation to develop written policies governing the eligibility, admission, and occupancy of families for housing assisted with grant funds. Condition: During our testing, we noted several instances of the Corporation not following their written policies. We noted the following during our testing selection of twenty-five files: 1) four files were missing their annual recertification documentation or was not signed by tenant or authority; 2) five files did not have a current recertification or income verified annually; 3) two files were missing proof of tribal enrollment; 4) three files did not have an individual checklist available to verify whether applicable documents were received for the most recent application period. Questioned Costs: Undeterminable Context: We tested 25 files out of a total of tenant population of 272. Effect: Non-compliance with eligibility requirements within the Corporation?s policies and NAHASDA regulations. Cause: Lack of controls and oversight during the year. Repeat Finding: This is a repeat finding of 2021-004. Recommendation: We recommend that the Corporation should implement internal controls to ensure all written policies are being implemented and followed. An example of a control would be a checklist that is included in the front of every file and includes all required forms of documentation. This checklist should be signed off on for each specific item as the requirements are met. Views of Responsible Officials: A checklist has been compiled that will include required documentation, these are then periodically reviewed by staff for completeness.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Eligibility

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 36766 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 36767 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 613209 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.023 Emergency Rental Assistance Program $3.61M
14.157 Supportive Housing for the Elderly $78,450
14.867 Indian Housing Block Grants $66,809
14.870 Resident Opportunity and Supportive Services - Service Coordinators $62,001