Finding Text
2023-002 Assistance Listing No. 14.239 HOME Investment Partnerships Program
Special Tests and Provisions - Housing Quality Standards
Criteria: During the period off affordability (i.e., the period for which the non-Federal entity must maintain subsidized housing) for HOME assisted rental housing, the participating jurisdiction must perform on-site inspections to determine compliance with property standards and verify the information submitted by the owners no less than: (a) every 3 years for projects containing 1 to 4 units, (b) every 2 years for projects containing 5 to 25 units, and (c) every year for projects containing 26 or more units. The participating jurisdiction must perform on-site inspections of rental housing occupied by tenants receiving HOME-assisted tenant-based rental assistance to determine compliance with housing quality standards (24 CFR 92.209(i), 92.251(f), and 92.504(d)).
Condition: Of the 12 properties tested, 1 was out of compliance as an inspection should have been completed by May 2022 but was not completed until September 2023.
Cause: The Organization is responsible for contacting the City of Salem (the City) and Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) to schedule the inspections timely but there were delays caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Effect: Units could be out of compliance with housing quality standards.
Questioned Costs: None
Recommendations: We recommend the Organization set up a schedule and tracking system in order to contact the City and OHCS in advance of the due date of inspections in order to allow the City and OHCS sufficient time to complete the inspections timely.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: See corrective action plan included in report.