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Línea Directa

REPORTAR FRAUDE, DESPERDICIO O ABUSO
Septiembre 29, 2008
  • Public and Indian Housing
2008-CH-1016
ig0851016.pdf

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Office of Inspector General audited the Springfield Housing Authority's (Authority) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program (program). The audit was part of the activities in our fiscal year 2008 annual audit plan. We selected the Authority based upon our analysis of risk factors relating to the housing agencies in Region V's jurisdiction. Our objective was to determine whether the Authority administered its program in accordance with HUD's requirements. This is the first of two audit reports on the Authority's program.

The Authority's program administration regarding housing unit conditions and timeliness of annual housing unit inspections was inadequate. Of the 55 housing units statistically selected for inspection, 43 did not meet HUD's housing quality standards, and 18 had exigent health and safety violations that existed at the time of the Authority's previous inspections. In addition, 10 housing units had 55 health and safety violations that existed at the time of the Authority's previous inspections. Based on our statistical sample, we estimate that over the next year, HUD will pay nearly $500,000 in housing assistance for units with housing quality standards violations.

The Authority failed to ensure that its housing unit inspections were conducted in a timely manner. Of the 65 household files statistically selected for review, 25 (38 percent) had inspections that were not conducted within the required one year of the previous inspections. The number of days late ranged from 16 to 373. Based on our statistical sample, we estimate that over the next year, HUD will pay more than $92,000 in program administrative fees for units with untimely unit inspections.

We recommend that the Director of HUD's Chicago Office of Public Housing require the Authority to reimburse its program from nonfederal funds for the improper use of more than $50,000 in program funds and implement adequate procedures and controls to address the finding cited in this audit report. These procedures and controls should help ensure that nearly $600,000 in program funds is spent on housing units that meet HUD's requirements.