Finding Text
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Programs Federal Catalog Numbers: 14.871 Noncompliance ? N. Special Tests and Provisions - Housing Quality Standards Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: Housing Quality Standards Inspections. The PHA must inspect the unit leased to a family at least annually to determine if the unit meets the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the PHA must conduct quality control re-inspections. The PHA must prepare a unit inspection report (24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.405(b)). For units that fail inspection the PHA must correct all life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours and all other deficiencies within 30 days. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority?s files and on discussion with management, there were failed inspections that did not pass reinspection within 30 days without penalty. Context: There were approximately 741 failed inspections during the audit period. Of a sample size of twenty-five (25) failed inspections, four (4) failed inspections did not pass reinspection within 30 days. HAP was not abated nor was the tenant evicted. Our sample size is statistically valid. Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. The Authority has not properly performed HQS inspections in compliance with program requirements following the expiration of HUD waivers as a result of insufficient staffing . Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement a corrective action plan that will assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement. Authority Response: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor, and will make the several changes to its inspection process to ensure enforcement of Housing Quality Standards (or any subsequent replacement).