Establish written payroll policies and procedures in accordance with program requirements for the tracking, recording, and maintenance of direct costs to ensure that time distribution records are in place to support the allocation of charges.
Publication Report
2021-LA-1002 | January 05, 2021
Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA, Did Not Always Follow Program Requirements in Administering Its NSP2
We audited Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County’s (NHSLA) Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (NSP2). The audit was based on a complaint alleging questionable NSP2 financial activity, double payments to contractors, and payments to… moreRelated Recommendations
Community Planning and Development
- Status2021-LA-1002-001-AOpenClosed$3,425,679.00Questioned 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 program activities within NHSLA’s interfund were for eligible NSP2 activities or repay the program $3,425,679 from non-Federal funds.
- Status2021-LA-1002-001-BOpenClosed$529,745.00Funds 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.
Return the outstanding balance of $529,745 owed to NSP2. In addition, cease the practice of depositing NSP2 funds in non-NSP2 accounts and making them available to be used or borrowed for non-NSP2 activities.
- Status2021-LA-1002-001-COpenClosed$658,261.00Questioned 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 $658,261 in loan proceeds was used for an eligible NSP2 activity or property or repay the program from non-Federal funds.
- Status2021-LA-1002-001-DOpenClosed$500,000.00Questioned 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 $500,000 in NSP funds transferred to the revolving loan fund was used for an eligible NSP2 activity or property or repay the program from non-Federal funds.
- Status2021-LA-1002-001-EOpenClosed
Develop and implement sufficient financial procedures and controls to ensure that program income is appropriately recorded and properly transferred to its NSP2 account.
- Status2021-LA-1002-001-FOpenClosed
Ensure it has sufficient staffing and capacity to administer the NSP2 program, including obtaining training for its staff to understand HUD requirements and how to use the DRGR system.
- Status2021-LA-1002-001-GOpenClosed
Amend the NSP2 action plan to include its revolving loan fund.
- Status2021-LA-1002-001-HOpenClosed
Adjust program income calculation methodology to ensure it is in accordance with HUD requirements.
- Status2021-LA-1002-001-IOpenClosed
Submit overdue NSP2 quarterly reports to DRGR and update prior reports that did not accurately report program income activity.
- Status2021-LA-1002-002-AOpenClosed$1,388,545.00Questioned 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 its administrative and project delivery cost expenditures or repay the program $1,388,545 from non-Federal funds.
- Status2021-LA-1002-002-BOpenClosed$324,478.00Funds 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.
Provide supporting documentation to show whether the outstanding liability of $324,478 is correctly classified as an NSP2 liability. If not, HUD should ensure that NHSLA corrects its NSP2 cost reimbursement summary for the 12 months ending June 30, 2018, to reclassify the expenses to a non-NSP2 program. Such funds would be considered funds to be put to better use.
- Status2021-LA-1002-002-COpenClosed
Develop and implement a HUD-approved cost allocation plan to properly account for indirect program costs.
- Status2021-LA-1002-002-EOpenClosed
Obtain training to ensure that it understands NSP2 regulations and requirements related to payroll allocation for its administrative and project delivery costs and program income calculation methodology to ensure it properly computes the amount it is allowed to charge for administrative costs.
- Status2021-LA-1002-003-AOpenClosed$856,692.00Questioned 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 the reasonableness of the South Gate contract or repay NSP2 $856,692 from non-Federal funds.
- Status2021-LA-1002-003-BOpenClosed
Develop and implement additional procedures and controls to ensure that HUD procurement requirements are followed.