Finding 961129 (2023-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-26

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority is not maintaining tenant files properly, leading to material noncompliance with eligibility requirements for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.
  • Impacted Requirements: Missing documents include the HUD-9886 form in 18 files and income verification in 1 file, violating federal regulations on tenant eligibility documentation.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Authority should implement stronger internal controls to ensure compliance with documentation requirements and address the identified weaknesses.

Finding Text

Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers & Emergency Housing Vouchers Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871 & 14. EHV Material Noncompliance – E. Eligibility – Tenant Files Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes Material Weakness 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: There are approximately 2,739 units. Of a sample size of forty-two (42) tenant files, the following information was unavailable for examination at the time of audit: HUD-9886 Authorization for Release of Information form was missing in eighteen (18) files Verification of income was missing in one (1) file Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: $40,589 Cause: There is a material weakness in internal controls over the compliance in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Emergency Housing Vouchers programs 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 assures the program is in compliance. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Emergency Housing Vouchers programs are in material 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 assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor on the inspection of tenant files and has made arrangements to comply with the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Emergency Housing Vouchers programs.

Categories

Questioned Costs HUD Housing Programs Eligibility Material Weakness Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 384687 2023-001
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $16.87M
14.850 Public and Indian Housing $687,891
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $324,460
14.856 Lower Income Housing Assistance Program_section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation $236,481
14.896 Family Self-Sufficiency Program $185,870
14.879 Mainstream Vouchers $116,677
14.870 Resident Opportunity and Supportive Services - Service Coordinators $3,094