HOUSING AUTHORITY OF CITY OF BEAUMONLocal Government

Finding 2023-001: 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 – E. Eligibility – Tenant Files Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant Deficiency 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 1,782 units. Of a sample size of thirty-one (31) tenant files, the following was noted: • HUD 50058 Form was missing in 1 file • Verification of income and assets was missing in 1 file. Our sample size is statistically valid. 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 assures the program is in compliance. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in 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. The affected files relate to clients that have been on the program for decades and as files get large, archiving takes place. To correct this finding, a directive will be issued to staff that will ensure that when files are archived the original application must be placed in the current working file going forward. Allison Landrum, Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for implementing this corrective action by September 30, 2024.

2022-001

Finding 2023-002 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Programs 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 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 489 units with failed inspections. Of a sample size of twenty-five (25) failed inspections, two (2) failed inspections did not pass reinspection within 30 days. HAP was not abated nor was the tenant evicted. Our sample size is statistically valid. Cause: There is a significant deficiency 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 following the expiration of HUD waivers as a result of insufficient staffing. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement a corrective action plan 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. 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. Allison Landrum, Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for implementing this corrective action by September 30, 2024.

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 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: 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. 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. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: 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. Allison Landrum, Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for implementing this corrective action by September 30, 2024.

2022-001

Finding 2022-001 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 ? E. Eligibility ? Tenant Files Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant Deficiency 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 1,805 units. Of a sample size of thirty-one (31) tenant files, the following was noted: ? Annual inspection report was missing in 1 file ? HUD 50058 Form was missing in 1 file ? Verification of income and assets was missing in 1 file. Our sample size is statistically valid. 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 assures the program is in compliance. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in 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. The affected files relate to clients that have been on the program for decades and as files get large, archiving takes place. To correct this finding, a directive will be issued to staff that will ensure that when files are archived the original application must be placed in the current working file going forward. Allison Landrum, Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for implementing this corrective action by September 30, 2023.

Finding 2022-002 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Programs 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 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 489 units with failed inspections. Of a sample size of twenty-five (25) failed inspections, three (3) failed inspections did not pass reinspection within 30 days. HAP was not abated nor was the tenant evicted. Our sample size is statistically valid. Cause: There is a significant deficiency 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 following the expiration of HUD waivers as a result of insufficient staffing. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement a corrective action plan 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. The affected files relate to the software conversion from HAB to Yardi. BHA has completed the software conversion, and this should not be an issue going forward. Allison Landrum, Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for implementing this corrective action by September 30, 2023.

Finding 2022-003 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Public and Indian Housing Program Federal Catalog Numbers: 14.850 Noncompliance ? N. Special Tests and Provisions - Recording of Declarations of Trust/Declaration of Restrictive Covenants Against Public Housing Property Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: A current Declaration of Trust ("DOT"), in a form acceptable to HUD, must be recorded against all public housing property owned by PHAs (or private entities for public housing developed under 24 CFR Part 905, Subpart F) that has been acquired, developed, maintained, or assisted with funds from the US Housing Act of 1937. A DOT is a legal instrument that grants HUD an interest in public housing property. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority?s files and on discussion with management, there were properties that the Authority owns and insures that did not have DOTs on file during the time of audit. Context: The Authority owns six (6) public housing properties. During the audit, it was noted that two (2) out of six (6) public housing properties did not have DOTs on file. Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to the recording of DOTs against public housing property. The Authority has not properly filed DOTs in compliance with program requirements. Effect: The Public and Indian Housing Program is in non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to the recording of DOTs against public housing property. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement a corrective action plan 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 and will design and implement internal controls over compliance in order to ensure all necessary DOTs are recorded. Allison Landrum, Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for implementing this corrective action by September 30, 2023.

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN June 30, 2020 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development The Housing Authority of Beaumont, Texas respectfully submits the following corrective action plan for the year ended September 30, 2019. Berman Hopkins Wright & LaHam, CPAs and Associates, LLP 8035 Spyglass Hill Road Melbourne, FL 32940 Audit period: October 1, 2018 ? September 30, 2019 FINDINGS ? FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AUDIT 2019-001 Eligibility Public and Indian Housing Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Other matter required to be reported in accordance with Uniform Guidance Condition: Out of a total tenant population of approximately 280 tenants, 40 tenant files were tested, and exceptions were noted as follows: ?5 files had annual recertifications performed later than 12 months. Auditor?s Recommendations: The Authority should correct the deficiencies noted in the tested files. In addition, the Authority should follow the quality control review procedures to ensure proper monitoring of the Authority?s compliance with the requirements related to annual recertifications. Action Taken: A review of the deficiencies indicated that these files were for tenants who were elderly or disabled and had difficulties coming into the office due to weather, illness, hospitalization, or transportation. The Vice-President of Assisted Programs will closely review the Annual Recertification Work List each month to ensure that recertifications are completed in a timely manner. If it is determined that a tenant is having difficulties completing their recertification, the caseworker will conduct a home visit to ensure the recertification is completed. The deficiencies have been resolved in the files noted.

2019-002 Eligibility Housing Voucher Cluster Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Other matter required to be reported in accordance with Uniform Guidance Condition: Out of a total tenant population of approximately 1,708 tenants, 40 tenant files were tested, and exceptions were noted as follows: ? 2 files had incorrectly payment standards used, ? 1 file was missing a 214-declaration document for a member of the household, ? 1 file had a rent reasonableness error, and ? 2 files had calculation and documents errors noted for child support income. Auditor?s Recommendations: The Authority should correct the deficiencies noted in the tested files. In addition, the Authority should follow the quality control review procedures to ensure proper monitoring of the Authority?s compliance with the requirements related to tenant eligibility. Action Taken: A review of the deficiencies indicated that the errors were limited to two caseworkers. These caseworkers have been counseled and will receive additional training to ensure compliance with our HCV Administrative Plan. In addition, BHA will bring in additional training to all staff to ensure a better understanding of the payment standard and rent calculation procedures. The deficiencies identified by the auditor have been corrected

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