Finding 71642 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-21

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority failed to maintain complete tenant files, leading to non-compliance with eligibility verification for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program.
  • Impacted Requirements: The Authority did not meet the necessary documentation standards outlined in 24 CFR sections 5.230, 5.609, and 982.516, affecting income eligibility verification.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement stronger internal control procedures to ensure compliance with regulations and improve oversight of tenant file maintenance.

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 Context: Of a sample size of eleven (11) tenant files, one (1) tenant file's HUD-50058 Form contained outdated income figures resulting in the Authority not properly verifying income. Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: $4,529 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.

Corrective Action Plan

Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: 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. Miguel Hernandez, Executive Director, will be responsible to implement this corrective action by June 30, 2023.

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 648084 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $1.20M
14.850 Public and Indian Housing $458,220
14.249 Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy $158,610
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $52,930
14.879 Mainstream Vouchers $30,330