Determine whether tenants were underpaid for utility allowances and if so, reimburse the tenants from non-Federal funds.
Publication Report
2017-BO-1006 | August 18, 2017
The West Warwick Housing Authority, West Warwick, RI, Needs To Improve Its Compliance With Federal Regulations for Its Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing Programs
We audited the Housing Choice Voucher and public housing programs at the West Warwick Housing Authority as a result of concerns from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and a hotline complaint. The audit objectives were to… moreRelated Recommendations
Public and Indian Housing
- Status2017-BO-1006-001-AOpenClosedClosed on September 11, 2023$2,063,351.00Questioned Costs
Recommendations with questioned costs identify costs: (A] resulting from an alleged violation of a law, regulation, contract, grant, or other document or agreement governing the use of Federal funds; (B] that are not supported by adequate documentation (also known as an unsupported cost]; or (C] that appear unnecessary or unreasonable.
Provide documentation to support that $2,063,351 was spent for reasonable and necessary costs. Any amount that cannot be supported should be repaid to the Housing Choice Voucher or public housing programs from non-Federal funds.
- Status2017-BO-1006-001-BOpenClosedClosed on December 19, 2017$2,752.00Questioned Costs
Recommendations with questioned costs identify costs: (A] resulting from an alleged violation of a law, regulation, contract, grant, or other document or agreement governing the use of Federal funds; (B] that are not supported by adequate documentation (also known as an unsupported cost]; or (C] that appear unnecessary or unreasonable.
Reimburse the Housing Choice Voucher and public housing programs $2,752 from non-Federal sources for improper conflict-of-interest purchases.
- Status2017-BO-1006-001-COpenClosedClosed on April 26, 2018$6,100.00Funds Put to Better Use
Recommendations that funds be put to better use estimate funds that could be used more efficiently. For example, recommendations that funds be put to better use could result in reductions in spending, deobligation of funds, or avoidance of unnecessary spending.
Deobligate $6,100 from the asbestos abatement procurement and redistribute the funds to the public housing programs for eligible purposes.
Develop and implement procurement policies and procedures that comply with Federal, State, and local laws.
Develop and implement controls to ensure that contracts are in place when applicable.
Develop and enforce written conflict-of-interest requirements in compliance with Federal rules and regulations.
Develop and maintain a contract management system, including a contract register for all procurements.
Evaluate the training of West Warwick’s board of commissioners and determine whether additional training is required or other changes are appropriate.
.Develop and implement written policies and procedures to ensure that each Housing Choice Voucher program tenant file has an appropriately documented rent reasonableness determination.
Develop and implement written policies and procedures to ensure that each public housing unit has an annual inspection, which is appropriately documented in the tenant file.
Evaluate the training of West Warwick employees and determine what additional training is necessary..
- Status2017-BO-1006-003-AOpenClosedClosed on November 16, 2018$18,501.00Questioned Costs
Recommendations with questioned costs identify costs: (A] resulting from an alleged violation of a law, regulation, contract, grant, or other document or agreement governing the use of Federal funds; (B] that are not supported by adequate documentation (also known as an unsupported cost]; or (C] that appear unnecessary or unreasonable.
Provide documentation to support that $18,501 in credit card charges was spent for reasonable and necessary costs. Any amount that cannot be supported should be repaid from non-Federal funds and returned to the Housing Choice Voucher and public housing programs.
- Status2017-BO-1006-003-BOpenClosedClosed on November 16, 2018$4,530.00Questioned Costs
Recommendations with questioned costs identify costs: (A] resulting from an alleged violation of a law, regulation, contract, grant, or other document or agreement governing the use of Federal funds; (B] that are not supported by adequate documentation (also known as an unsupported cost]; or (C] that appear unnecessary or unreasonable.
Provide documentation to support that $4,530 in petty cash funds was spent for reasonable and necessary costs. Any amount that cannot be supported should be repaid from non-Federal funds and returned to the Housing Choice Voucher and public housing programs.
Develop and maintain property records and conduct an inventory in accordance with Federal regulations.