Repay from non-Federal sources the $1,451,559 in ineligible funds when the HOME program commitment requirements were not completed as required, the environmental reviews were not properly completed, and funds were not disbursed in accordance with written agreements.
Publication Report
2018-BO-1003 | June 20, 2018
The City of Providence, RI Did Not Properly Administer Its HOME Program
We audited the City of Providence RI’s HOME Investment Partnerships program based on an OIG risk assessment, which ranked the City as the highest risk HOME grantee in New England. The objective of the audit was to determine whether the City… moreRelated Recommendations
Community Planning and Development
- Status2018-BO-1003-001-BOpenClosedClosed on March 21, 2022$1,559,908.00Questioned 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.
Support that $1,559,908 in HOME funds disbursed was reasonable, supported, and allowable in accordance with Federal requirements or repay from non-Federal funds any amount that cannot be supported.
- Status2018-BO-1003-001-COpenClosedClosed on March 21, 2022$1,253,596.00Funds 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.
Support that $1,253,596 in funds not yet expended was reasonable, supported, and allowable or reallocate the funds, thus ensuring that they will be put to their intended use.
Develop and implement adequate underwriting policies and procedures for their affordable housing activities and for the downpayment assistance program to ensure that HOME activities are consistent and meet Federal requirements. Further, they should include the downpayment underwriting policies and procedures in the written agreement with the City’s subrecipient.
Cancel activities in IDIS that have had no construction in more than 12 months.
Develop and implement adequate environmental policies and procedures to ensure that HOME activities are properly classified, the environmental review is documented and supported, and that HUD and Federal environmental requirements have been followed before committing HOME funds to an activity
Determine the total supported development costs for the completed HOME activities and calculate and obtain any program income due to the HOME program.
- Status2018-BO-1003-001-HOpenClosedClosed on July 01, 2021$338,665.00Questioned 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.
Support that City officials properly administered the HOME program and earned $338,665 in HOME administrative fees or repay from non-Federal funds any amount that cannot be supported.
Develop and implement tools to improve record-keeping practices to support the eligibility, necessity, and reasonableness of the HOME activities.
Request that HUD headquarters recalculate the City’s commitment shortfall for program year 2013 based on the lack of the amendment with the City’s subrecipient and for the projects that were not properly committed.
Provide technical assistance to the City to ensure that City officials responsible for administering the HOME program receive necessary HOME program training.