Finding Text
Finding 2023-003:
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 – N. Special Tests and Provisions - Housing Quality Standards
Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No
Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions. 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 thirty-one (31) tenant files, the following information was unavailable for examination at the time of audit:
- Annual inspection reports were missing in one file. Our sample size is statistically valid.
Known Questioned Costs: $5,319
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 special tests and provisions - housing quality standards 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.