Evaluate the apparent conflict-of-interest situations in this report and pursue administrative sanctions if warranted.
Publication Report
2018-PH-1007 | September 25, 2018
The Crisfield Housing Authority, Crisfield, MD, Did Not Properly Administer Its Public Housing Program Operating and Capital Funds
We audited the Crisfield Housing Authority’s use of public housing program operating and capital funds because we received a hotline complaint alleging misuse of public housing assets and we had never audited the Authority. The audit objective was… moreRelated Recommendations
Public and Indian Housing
- Status2018-PH-1007-001-AOpenClosedClosed on March 30, 2023$137,500.00Questioned 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 the $137,500 paid for security services from operating funds or reimburse its program from non-Federal funds for any costs that it cannot support.
Provide the documentation that was missing from the 14 files reviewed. If documentation cannot be provided, the Authority should follow applicable regulations and terminate or modify assistance as necessary.
Develop and implement controls to ensure that families are properly selected from the waiting list and that their selection is documented in their tenant files.
Correct the rent calculations for the 54 families identified by the audit to properly implement flat rent.
- Status2018-PH-1007-001-EOpenClosedClosed on March 31, 2021$25,248.00Funds 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.
Correct the rent calculations for the employees whom it charged an extremely low rent, thereby ensuring that it collects an estimated $25,248 more in rent over the next year.
Develop and implement controls to ensure that it pays for services only after it receives the documentation required to be provided by contract and that provided services are supported by a contract.
Develop and implement procedures to have a supervisor review tenant files to ensure that the files are accurate and complete and comply with program requirements.
- Status2018-PH-1007-001-HOpenClosedClosed on August 13, 2020$38,664.00Funds 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.
Develop and implement procedures to ensure that flat rents are calculated correctly for those families that choose to pay flat rent, thereby ensuring that it collects at least $38,664 in additional rental income.
Provide training and technical assistance to the Authority to ensure that it properly administers its operating funds in accordance with applicable requirements.
- Status2018-PH-1007-002-AOpenClosedClosed on March 30, 2023$111,568.00Questioned 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 its program $111,568 from non-Federal funds for the ineligible payments it made due to the conflict-of-interest situations identified by the audit.
- Status2018-PH-1007-002-BOpenClosedClosed on March 30, 2023$1,499,137.00Questioned 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.
Submit a retroactive request for a waiver to the conflict-of-interest requirements to support payments totaling $1,499,137 or reimburse the appropriate fund from non-Federal funds for any amount not covered by a waiver.
Develop and implement controls to prevent and detect conflict-of-interest situations.
- Status2018-PH-1007-003-AOpenClosedClosed on March 30, 2023$171,822.00Questioned 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 show that products and services totaling $171,822 were purchased at fair and reasonable prices. For any amounts determined to be unreasonable and not supported, the Authority should reimburse the program from non-Federal funds.
- Status2018-PH-1007-003-BOpenClosedClosed on March 30, 2023$170,784.00Questioned 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 its program $170,784 from non-Federal funds for the ineligible salary payments and ongoing security payments.
Develop and implement controls over its procurement actions to ensure that prices paid for goods and services are reasonable.
Develop and implement controls to ensure that program funds are used for eligible activities only.