Work with the Authority to develop a plan to ensure that a third party reviews the initial tenant certifications and annual recertifications with an actual or potential conflict of interest.
Publication Report
2018-KC-1004 | September 27, 2018
The Benkelman Housing Authority, Benkelman, NE, Did Not Follow HUD Rules and Regulations for Public Housing Programs Related to Procurement and Maintenance, Tenant Certifications, Laundry Machine Income, and Expenditures
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Inspector General audited the Benkelman Housing Authority based on a request from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (HUD OIG), Office… moreRelated Recommendations
Public and Indian Housing
- Status2018-KC-1004-001-AOpenClosedClosed on December 18, 2019$71,034.00Questioned 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 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.
- Status2018-KC-1004-001-BOpenClosedClosed on December 18, 2019$15,280.00Questioned 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 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.
Ensure that its executive director obtains appropriate procurement training.
Work with the Authority to develop a formalized process, such as a checklist, to use when conducting initial certifications and annual recertifications, which would help to ensure that it follows HUD requirements for its public housing program.
Require the Authority’s executive director to obtain appropriate training regarding public housing occupancy requirements.
Require the Authority to conduct a 100 percent review of its tenant files to ensure that tenants’ rents are accurate and the proper income, asset, and medical expenses are complete and documented in the tenant files.
Monitor the Authority after the recommended training and tenant file reviews are complete to ensure that the executive director understands and properly implements public housing occupancy requirements.
Require the Authority to address actual or potential conflict-of-interest relationships in its Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy.
Ensure that the Authority’s board of commissioners and staff receive HUD-approved training on conflicts of interest.
Monitor the Authority to ensure that initial tenant certifications and annual recertifications with an actual or potential conflict of interest are appropriately handled.
Require the Authority to develop and implement detailed policies and procedures to address collections, tracking, and use of its laundry machine revenue.
Require the Authority to determine how much laundry machine revenue was not deposited into its accounts and used for eligible purposes and reimburse its program from non-Federal funds.
Monitor the Authority to ensure compliance with its new laundry machine revenue policies.