Submit a plan showing how it will use the $7,984,429 in unspent escrow funds to meet program objectives and increase the supply of low- and moderate-income housing for the residents of Puerto Rico, including a schedule HUD can track to ensure the expenditure.

Submit supporting documentation so HUD can reevaluate the feasibility of the three activities and determine the eligibility of the $2,432,271 in escrow funds already disbursed. If HUD determines that an activity has been canceled or is not feasible, the Department must reimburse the escrow Read More

Submit a plan showing how it will proceed regarding the Yabucoa, Juncos, and Barceloneta housing projects, including a schedule that HUD can track to ensure their completion.

Submit supporting documentation showing the reasonableness and allowability of $2,176,733 disbursed or reimburse its escrow account from non-Federal funds.

Develop and implement written policies detailing procedures and responsibilities related to program administration and monitoring of the escrow program.

Transfer all escrow funds to a financial institution that is supervised by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union Administration and ensure that all deposits are secured by the Federal Government. Any amount not recovered from the Development Bank must be Read More

Submit required certifications and supporting documentation showing that residents of escrow-funded activities met the established income limit requirements. Any amounts determined ineligible must be reimbursed to the escrow account from non-Federal funds.

Develop adequate procedures outlining steps for tracking monthly grant expenditures, reprogramming funds for stalled activities, managing program income, and allocating costs as required by Federal Register Notice 83 FR 5844 and the grant agreement with HUD.

Ensure that the financial management system for the 2017 CDBG-DR grant is capable of providing information by activity type and grant number.

Develop and implement a financial management system for its 2008 CDBG-DR grant and ensure that it tracks program funds to a level that supports compliance with HUD requirements. At a minimum, the accounting system must reflect disbursements by grant, activity, and activity type and properly Read More

Review and update its 2017 CDBG-DR policies and procedures to prevent duplication of benefits and ensure that these are comprehensive and all applicable activities are included, including but not limited to the Small Business Financing Program and the Construction and Commercial Revolving Loan Read More

Negotiate with the SBA, within 30 days of the issuance of this audit report, to extend its data-sharing agreements for the term of the expenditure requirements set forth in public laws or the Federal Register in relation to the 2017 and 2008 disasters.

Negotiate with Puerto Rico’s Insurance Commissioner and with other CDBG-DR grantees, within 30 days of the issuance of this audit report, to establish data-sharing agreements for the 2017 CDBG-DR grant disaster, any open disaster recovery grants, and future disasters.

Complete, within 30 days of the issuance of this audit report, the review for preventing duplication of benefits associated with its 2008 CDBG-DR grant and pursue appropriate remedies for any instances of noncompliance found.

Review and update its procurement policy for the 2017 CDBG-DR grant to address weaknesses identified, including but not limited to required contract clauses, processes for soliciting and accepting noncompetitive proposals, and performing cost or price analyses before receiving bids or quotations, Read More

Ensure that the 2017 CDBG-DR procurement policy addresses the establishment of a contract register that, at a minimum, contains the procurement information specified in section 3.8 of HUD’s Buying Right Guide regarding the PRDOH’s acquisitions of goods and services, as well as of its subrecipients Read More

Establish procurement policies and procedures for the 2008 CDBG-DR grant to ensure compliance with 2 CFR 200.318-326, including but not limited to procedures to ensure full and open competition, supporting independent cost estimates, properly documenting the procurement history, and including Read More

Continue to fill its vacancies with qualified and trained staff, thus ensuring that staffing levels remain adequate to administer the 2017 and 2008 CDBG-DR grant funds.

Structure the internal audit division within a framework that can ensure its organizational independence and allow the internal audit activity to fulfill its responsibilities.

Provide additional training and technical assistance to the PRDOH on the development of policies and procedures to ensure that procedures comply with applicable Federal and grant requirements.