Finding Text
2022-005 Special Tests and Provisions: Public Housing New Admissions and Waiting List Public and Indian Housing Program ? CFDA Number 14.850 Material Weakness in Internal Control, Material Noncompliance Repeat Finding from June 30, 2021 reported as Finding 2021-003 Condition: New Admissions: We selected 5 new admissions (out of a population of 13) and noted the following: ? We are unable to test if the 5 new admissions were properly selected from the waiting list. Normally we are able to verify by checking where the applicant was on the wait list prior to selection and comparing the waiting list ranking (for date/time applied and preferences) to the application submitted. However, the Authority was not able to provide the applications from which would show the date and time they applied as well as any preferences selected so we were unable to determine if the new admissions were properly selected from the waiting list. Waiting list: We selected 25 applicants on the current waiting list (out of approximately of 700 applicants) and noted the following: ? We were unable to test the 25 applicants selected for testing. The Authority was unable to provide the application for each person on the waiting list and therefore we were unable to determine if the waiting list is ranked properly. As discussed with personnel, all active applications are received electronically (when the waiting list is open). The families create the application entering information such as family members, family income and family expenses. However, the on-line system appears to be flawed as it does not provide fields to indicate preferences (such as for being homeless or living locally) which if entered, would give the applicant points so they could be ranked higher on the waiting list and therefore selected faster. Once the applicant is selected to be housed, the Authority manually applies the applicable preferences (but at that point the Authority may have selected someone on the waiting list that should have been selected earlier and defeats the purpose of having preferences). The Authority has addressed this issue with Yardi and has sent notices to all active applicants asking them to update their preferences which the Authority will manually apply and generate the waiting list and the process is expected to be finalized before March 31, 2023. As a result of the above, applicants may not be ranked properly on the waiting list and applicants may be selected out of order. Criteria: Applicants on the waiting list must be kept in the proper order based on application date and/or approved preferences. The Authority is required to admit tenants based on the waiting list in accordance with HUD requirements and the Authority?s policies. The Authority must have written policies in its Public Housing ACOP for selecting applicants from the waiting list and Authority documentation must show that the PHA follows these policies when selecting applicants for admission from the waiting list. All proper documentation must be kept in the tenant file. In addition, only applicants who are eligible should be admitted to the program. Questioned Costs: None. Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with applicable HUD regulations and admission policies. Cause: Procedures to ensure compliance with all of the HUD requirements were not being carefully followed. Auditor?s Recommendation: The Authority should review procedures and increase training to employees and reviewers to ensure that the Authority is in compliance with HUD rules for new admissions and waiting list maintenance. In addition, the Authority should implement a review procedure to make sure that all tenants are admitted in the proper order with proper supporting documentation. In addition, the Authority should continue to investigate the issues with the waiting list software. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The Authority agrees with the finding and has taken corrective action. See the ?Action Taken? on the Corrective Action Plan.