Finding Text
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program-CDFA #14.871, Low Rent Program CDFA#14.850
2023-003-Tenant file deficiencies and SEMAP errors noted-Eligibility and Special Tests
Criteria and Specific Requirement
(a)-SEMAP should be timely filed and properly documented
(b)-Tenants who moved in during the audit year should be found on the waiting list. In addition, the waiting lists should contain explanations of why the applicants listed before (above) the admitted tested tenant was not admitted instead of the applicant who was.
(c)-HAP payments should be the same amount of expenditure as listed on the last 50058 before the HAP payment is disbursed
(d)-Reasonable rent comparisons should be made for all Move Ins(e)-Income Enterprise Verifications (EIV) should be documented for all tenants when their annual re-examination is done
(f)-All 1099’s issued to landlords should be available for third party review.
Condition Found
(a)-SEMAP was not filed before the regulatory deadline. Since the deadline was missed, the SEMAP could not be submitted.
We requested the worksheets used to document SEMAP. management brought in the files that they claim were used to review for SEMAP. the other thing available were twenty inspection forms that management claims were HQ’s. We were unable to determine whether the HQ’s covered both failed and passed initial inspections.
Again, no worksheets were available to document the results of the tests. in the last two audit periods, we gave examples and explanations to management of an adequate way to document SEMAP. We recommended a couple of webcasts to attend on SEMAP.
Management claims they viewed the webcasts.
(b)-We reviewed twenty-five HCV files. Nine were current year move ins. sixteen were annual re-exams. Of the nine move ins tested, we could not locate three on the waiting lists (we asked management three weeks before we reviewed the files to tab the waiting list for the tested move ins). In addition, of one of the six that we did locate on the waiting list, we could not find an explanation of why the applicants listed before (above) were not admitted.
We reviewed two move-ins for low rent, a non-major program. We located the applicants on the waiting list. however, there was no explanation why the applicants listed before (above) were not admitted.
(c)-Of the twenty -five HCV files tested, the September 2023 HAP payment did not agree to the last available 50058 filed before September for two tenants. We asked if there were possibly interim 50058s that did not make it to the file, but we did not receive any. two were immaterial differences-one being $9 per month, the other $3 per month.
(d)-Of the nine move-ins tested, we could not locate a reasonable rent survey for two.
(e)-Of the sixteen re-exams we reviewed, we could not find an EIV for the re-exam of one tenant.(f)-We were unable to agree the names of several landlords to 1099’s issued in their name or to a DBA (doing business as).
Cause
Unknown
Effect
Controls over the admittance process, calculation of HAP payments, and other facets of eligibility and occupancy are not as strong as they should be.
Recommendation to prevent future occurrences
The above inadequacies should be corrected. Suggested improved procedures and internal controls have been discussed with management in prior audits.
View of responsible official
We will comply with the auditor’s recommendation. I do note that we were short of personnel for the entire audit period. I believe that I have staff presently that can do most of the assigned duties. I admit that not all of the deficiencies noted were due to being understaffed, but lack of training (being new to HUD) and understanding. But we will also correct those errors to the best of our ability.