Finding 966992 (2023-001)

Finding No. 2023-001 Housing Choice Voucher: Tenant Eligibility – Significant Deficiency CONDITION: The Authority's Housing Choice Voucher program was not pulling Earned Income Verifications (EIVs) within 90 days of move-in, as required by HUD regulations. CRITERIA: Tenants of the Housing Choice Voucher program are required to be recertified annually and on the interim basis in accordance with HUD regulations. Certification guidelines require use of the EIV System to verify tenants' reported incomes during annual recertifications within 90 days of move-in. QUESTIONED COSTS: The amount of questioned costs could not be determined. CONTEXT: Of 40 tenant files examined, nine files did not contain documentation that tenant’s reported income was verified with an EIV within 90 days of move-in. EFFECT: The Housing Authority could be renting to tenants who are not paying the appropriate amount of rent per program regulations. CAUSE: The overall cause was a lack of effective management oversight and quality control over this program. RECOMMENDATION: The Housing Authority should implement greater oversight over the Housing Choice Voucher tenant compliance and train employees on procedures mandated by HUD regarding tenant income verification and annual recertification.