We audited the Bucks County Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Voucher program because the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) authorized it more than $15 million per year in fiscal years 2012 to 2014 and we had not audited its housing quality standards inspection program.  Our audit objective was to determine whether the Authority ensured that its Housing Choice Voucher program units met HUD’s housing quality standards. 

The Authority did not always ensure that its program units met housing quality standards.  Its housing quality standards inspection process needs improvement.  Of the 14 program units statistically selected for inspection, 8 did not meet HUD’s housing quality standards.  However, none of the eight units was in material noncompliance with HUD’s standards and most of the violations identified could be easily corrected. 

We recommend that HUD direct the Authority to (1) certify, along with the owners of the eight units cited in the finding, that the applicable housing quality standards violations have been corrected and (2) provide training to its inspectors on conducting housing quality standards inspections.