Finding Text
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers Programs Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871 and 14.879
Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions - Housing Quality Standards
Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes
Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions for the Mainstream Vouchers Program
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 are approximately two hundred and fifty-four (254) Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers' units and fifteen (15) Mainstream Vouchers' units with failed inspections. Of a sample size of twenty-five (25) Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers' and two (2) Mainstream Vouchers' failed inspections, seven (7) and one (1) failed inspections, respectively, did not pass reinspection within 30 days. Housing assistance payments were not abated nor was the tenant relocated.
Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs:
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $4,901
Mainstream Vouchers $460
Cause: There is a significant deficiency for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program and a material weakness for the Mainstream Vouchers Program 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.
Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in non-compliance and the Mainstream Vouchers Program is in material non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections.
Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.