Complete HUD-approved training regarding owner contributions and distributions.

Repay its project’s operating account for the ineligible $15,000 disbursement from non-project funds.

Perform an analysis of all security deposits and ensure that the security deposit account is fully funded.

Implement controls to ensure existing procedures are followed to maintain the project’s security deposit funds separately from all other accounts by depositing and disbursing all security deposit funds directly into and from the security deposit account.

We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Houston Office of Public Housing require the Authority to reimburse its Public Housing Operating Fund $5,000 from non-Federal funds for the unrecovered remaining balance of the $20,000 that was paid to the attorney.

We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Houston Office of Public Housing require the Authority to ensure that no Federal funds are used to pay the remaining legal services invoices totaling $24,250, which will result in these funds being put to better use.

We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Houston Office of Public Housing require the Authority to update its policies to ensure the future commissioners obtain training on Texas’ Open Meetings Act requirements and HUD’s training for commissioners within 90 days after appointment, which will ensure Read More

We also recommend that the Director of HUD’s Houston Office of Public Housing evaluate the reported actions the three commissioners took when procuring the legal services contract and, if warranted, pursue administrative sanctions or other corrective actions.

We recommend that Director of the Houston Office of Public Housing require the Authority to Reimburse its low-rent operating fund $2,172 from non-Federal funds for the ineligible travel, training, and credit card expenditures.

We recommend that Director of the Houston Office of Public Housing require the Authority to reimburse its low-rent operating fund $4,469 from its Housing Choice Voucher Program fund for the expenses that should have been paid from its Housing Choice Voucher Program fund.

We recommend that Director of the Houston Office of Public Housing require the Authority to reimburse its Housing Choice Voucher Program fund $704 from non-Federal funds for the ineligible travel and training expenditures.

We recommend that Director of the Houston Office of Public Housing require the Authority to support or repay $31,327 to its low-rent operating fund from non-Federal funds for the various unsupported expenditures.

We recommend that Director of the Houston Office of Public Housing require the Authority to support or repay $584 to its Housing Choice Voucher Program fund from non-Federal funds for the unsupported travel, training, and phone expenses paid with Housing Choice Voucher Program funds.

We recommend that Director of the Houston Office of Public Housing require the Authority to update and implement its policies and procedures, including creating a policy for recording expenses, a cost allocation plan, and a travel policy, to ensure that the Authority appropriately pays and Read More

We recommend that the Director of the Houston Office of Public Housing require the Authority’s new board to complete HUD’s “Lead the Way” online training and Texas’ Open Meetings Act training.

We recommend that the Director of the Houston Office of Public Housing require the Authority’s new board to review the board minutes during our audit period, determine which board decisions were invalid, and take action to address the invalid decisions.

We recommend that the Director of the Houston Office of Public Housing require the Authority’s new board to revise its bylaws to agree with the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Provide adequate documentation to support that the $71,034 spent for improperly procured goods and services was spent at the most competitive prices. For any amounts not supported, it should reimburse its program from non-Federal funds.

Provide adequate documentation to support $15,280 spent for maintenance activities. For any amounts not supported, it should reimburse its program from non-Federal funds.

Develop and implement detailed operating procedures, including checklists, which fully implement its procurement policy and HUD requirements.