Improve controls over the proper execution and recording of all declaration of trust documents.
Publication Report
2022-NY-1002 | March 30, 2022
The Housing Authority of Plainfield, NJ, Did Not Always Comply With Requirements When Administering Its Public Housing Programs
We audited the Housing Authority of Plainfield, NJ’s administration of its public housing programs. We selected the Authority based on a risk analysis of public housing agencies in New Jersey that considered the size of the agency, the amount of… moreRelated Recommendations
Public and Indian Housing
- Status2022-NY-1002-001-AOpenClosed
Terminate the current lease and pay for any fees needed to terminate the lease from non-Federal funds.
- Status2022-NY-1002-001-BOpenClosed
Execute and record the release of the current lease with the third party and ensure that the declaration of trust is returned to the first priority position.
- Status2022-NY-1002-001-COpenClosed$1,278,260.00Funds 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 reporting and use of proceeds received from the current lease, thereby putting $1,278,260 to better use. This requirement includes properly recording the proceeds as restricted nonrental program income on its financial data schedule, placing any unspent funds into an account subject to a general depository agreement until spent, providing a detailed accounting of the use of the proceeds, reporting the use of any proceeds used for demolition or other expenses in a revised 5-year annual plan, and making any other updates needed to ensure that funds are properly recorded and used.
- Status2022-NY-1002-001-DOpenClosed
Repay from non-Federal funds any proceeds used for unallowable expenses identified in recommendation 1C.
- Status2022-NY-1002-001-EOpenClosed
Submit a Section 18 application to obtain HUD approval of any proposed new lease agreement prior to its execution, in compliance with the United States Housing Act of 1937 and 24 CFR Part 970.
Implement controls to ensure that it does not enter into future third-party agreements unless the Authority follows applicable requirements in Notice PIH 2017-24 (HA), the annual contributions contract, 24 CFR Part 970, and the United States Housing Act of 1937.
Implement controls to ensure that future disposition proceeds are properly accounted for and used only for planned, approved purposes.
Place the Authority onto a zero threshold review process, requiring that all draws for funds go through field office review until the Authority completes all actions needed to close recommendations 1A through 1H.
- Status2022-NY-1002-001-JOpenClosed
Consider and take additional action if the Authority does not complete recommendations 1A and 1B before submitting its next annual plan, including withholding further awards for its program, conditioning future grant funds, and other remedies that may be legally available until the Authority completes recommendations 1A and 1B.
Provide technical assistance to the Authority regarding the deficiencies identified with the rooftop lease and related proceeds, and Federal requirements for property disposition.
- Status2022-NY-1002-002-AOpenClosed$2,870,374.00Questioned 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 $2,870,374 paid for goods and services was reasonable in accordance with applicable requirements or repay its Public Housing Operating Fund or Capital Fund programs from non-Federal funds for any amount that it cannot support or that is not considered reasonable.
- Status2022-NY-1002-002-BOpenClosed$1,236,210.00Funds 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 $1,236,210 in funds not yet spent on the contracts reviewed, along with any new procurements, would be reasonable or reallocate the funds to ensure that they will be put to their intended use
Review any ongoing time-and-materials contracts and if requirements were not followed, remedy the noncompliance or reprocure the contracts to ensure compliance with HUD requirements.
Ensure that all Authority staff members working with procurements and contract administration receive procurement training on applicable requirements, including the requirements related to cost reasonableness, contract types, the number of bids or quotations, contract provisions, and maintaining documentation to show the history of procurements.
Establish and implement adequate record-keeping procedures to comply with applicable procurement requirements, including a register of all contracts with key information and a checklist for each procurement action, to ensure that it completes required steps and receives all required documentation.