We audited the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity’s (FHEO) challenges in completing housing discrimination investigations within 100 days.  We initiated the audit due to the number of investigations reported in FHEO’s annual reports to Congress that exceeded 100 days.  Our objective was to survey and assess the challenges FHEO faces in completing investigations...

We audited the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD or Department) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity’s (FHEO) process for conducting civil rights compliance reviews.  FHEO’s operational readiness to carry out robust compliance reviews is critical to HUD’s goals to advance equity and support underserved communities.  Our objective was to survey and assess challenges FHEO faced in conducting...

We audited the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity’s, implementation of Executive Order 13988, which President Biden issued to prevent and combat discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.  We performed this audit to assess HUD’s progress in developing an action plan to implement the executive order.  Our audit objective was to...

We audited the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), Education and Outreach Initiative (EOI).  We conducted this audit to help HUD determine whether the education and outreach provided was going to the people who have been systematically denied full housing opportunity.  Our audit objective was to assess how FHIP...

We audited the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights’ fair housing complaint intake process.  We initiated this audit based on an internal risk assessment of Fair Housing Assistance Program agencies’ challenges.  Our audit objectives were to (1) determine the extent to which the Commission processed fair housing inquiries within 30 days and (2) evaluate its reasons for closing fair housing inquiries.We were unable to determine...

HUD OIG is auditing the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity's Fair Housing Initiatives Program Education and Outreach Initiative. The Education and Outreach Initiative received $7.2 million in FY 2021 funding that it provided to State and local government agencies and non-profit organizations for initiatives that educate the public and housing providers about equal opportunity in housing and compliance with the fair housing...

We found 13 properties with consecutive REAC scores below 60 that were missing the required flags in HUD’s Active Partners Performance System (APPS) for unacceptable physical condition.  This condition occurred because HUD did not have a quality control program to ensure that the account executives manually entered the flags into APPS and there was no automated process for flagging a property once it received the second...

HUD OIG is auditing the fair housing complaint intake process of a Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) agency located within HUD's Region IV geographical jurisdiction. FHAP agencies intake housing discrimination complaints and conduct investigations to determine whether the alleged discrimination occurred. Our objective is to (1) determine the extent that the FHAP agency processed fair housing complaints within 30 days, (2) evaluate...

We determined that FHEO could provide more guidance related to FHEO’s performance assessment process to improve its oversight of State and local fair housing enforcement agencies participating in FHAP.  The FHAP Division has provided guidance that FHEO regional staff responsible for monitoring and overseeing FHAP agency performance (HUD reviewers) does not consistently follow.  Additionally, although all HUD reviewers work...

We audited the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Title VIII complaint intake data and jurisdictional determinations recorded in the HUD Enforcement Management System (HEMS).  We initiated this audit to assist HUD with identifying opportunities to improve its data collection and jurisdiction determination process.  Our audit objective was to assess HUD’s Title VIII fair housing complaint intake process...

HUD OIG is auditing the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity's (FHEO) timeliness of investigations for Title VIII complaints.  Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 requires that HUD complete investigations of each complaint within 100 days of the date it was filed unless it is impracticable to do so.  Our objective is to assess challenges faced by FHEO in meeting the 100-day investigation requirement for Title...

HUD OIG is auditing oversight of the physical conditions of non-FHA insured project-based voucher (PBV) units converted under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. RAD was implemented to preserve and improve public housing units and address the nationwide backlog of deferred maintenance and capital needs. The objective of the audit is to assess whether HUD and PHAs have adequate oversight of the physical conditions of non-...

HUD OIG is auditing HUD's oversight of the physical conditions of project based rental assistance (PBRA) and Federal Housing Administration (FHA)‐insured project‐based voucher (PBV) units converted under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. RAD was implemented to preserve and improve public housing units and address the nationwide backlog of deferred maintenance and capital needs. The objective of the audit is to assess...

HUD OIG is auditing the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opporunity (FHEO) fair housing and civil rights compliance reviews. FHEO has authority to conduct compliance reviews to determine whether a recipient of HUD funds was following applicable civil rights laws and their implementing regulations. Our objective is to assess how the Department , through FHEO and its partners, performed compliance reviews.

We audited the Housing Authority of Plainfield, NJ’s administration of its public housing programs.  We selected the Authority based on a risk analysis of public housing agencies in New Jersey that considered the size of the agency, the amount of operating and capital funds received, and previous work conducted by the Office of Inspector General.  The objective of the audit was to determine whether the Authority administered...

We audited the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority’s management of its Commodore Perry Homes development.  We selected the Authority based on congressional interest.  Half of the development’s buildings were demolished more than 20 years ago, and the majority of the remaining buildings and units have been vacant for years without redevelopment activity.  The objective of the audit was to determine whether the Authority...

HUD OIG is conducting an audit of the Lead Based Paint program at the Philadelphia Housing Authority. Our objective is to determine whether the Philadelphia Housing Authority adequately managed lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in public housing.

HUD OIG is auditing HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) implementation of Executive Order 13988. The order described how to enforce prohibitions on sex discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. The audit objective is to determine whether HUD (1) established and implemented a plan to prevent and combat discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation; (2) ensured its FHEO...

HUD OIG is evaluating the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO)’s oversight of State and local fair housing enforcement agencies.  To ensure the agencies are enforcing laws substantially equivalent to the Fair Housing Act, FHEO regularly assesses the State and local agencies' performance.  Our objective is to determine if FHEO’s oversight of State and local fair housing enforcement agencies ensures they meet...

HUD OIG is auditing HUD's oversight of lead based paint remediation.  Lead-based paint hazards present a health risk to tenants, particularly children, and the effects of lead poisoning may permanently alter the lives of those exposed.  The objective is to determine whether HUD has adequate oversight of lead-based paint remediation in public housing.