The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General initiated an audit of the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority VIII’s (Authority) Public Housing Capital Fund formula grant program as part of our annual audit plan to review American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds. Our objective was to determine whether the Authority properly obligated and expended its Recovery Act capital funds in accordance with requirements, followed Recovery Act requirements when procuring contracts for goods or services, and accurately reported its Recovery Act activities.

The Authority generally followed Recovery Act requirements in the obligation and expenditure of its Recovery Act capital funds. Additionally, it ensured that procurements were made in accordance with Federal and Recovery Act requirements. However, the Authority did not accurately report required Recovery Act Capital Fund grant information in federalreporting.gov.

For the seven quarterly reports reviewed during our audit period, the Authority overreported the amount of funds received in five quarters and underreported in one quarter. It also underreported the amount of funds expended in four quarters and overreported in one quarter. In addition, it failed to provide a list of projects and activities funded by name and incorrectly reported the primary place of performance in all seven quarters.

We recommend that the Jackson Office of Public Housing ensure that the Authority complies with HUD guidance and ensures the assignment of a staff person responsible for becoming familiar with the guidance on the Web site and reporting as required. We also recommend that the Jackson Office of Public Housing review the next quarterly report submitted to ensure that it is accurate due to the Authority’s history of inaccurate reporting.