Implement a quality control process for monitoring its contracted inspectors to ensure that units meet HUD’s requirements to prevent nearly $36 million in program funds from being spent on units that do not meet HQS over the next year.
Publication Report
2024-CH-1001 | June 28, 2024
The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, Columbus, OH, Did Not Always Comply With HUD’s Requirements for Its Housing Choice Voucher Program Units
We audited the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. The audit was initiated based on our assessment of risks associated with public housing agencies’ HCV Program units and recent media attention and public… moreRelated Recommendations
Public and Indian Housing
- Status2024-CH-1001-001-AOpenClosed
Provide evidence that the owners corrected the 248 deficiencies for the 48 units with outstanding deficiencies. If the owners fail to make corrections, the Authority should implement its stop payment procedures and provide supporting documentation to HUD.
- Status2024-CH-1001-001-COpenClosed
Implement procedures and controls regarding its quality control inspections to ensure that the results of those inspections are appropriately used to evaluate and monitor the performance of the Authority’s contracted inspectors and documentation is maintained on communications with the contractor on corrective actions taken to address recurring inspection deficiencies.
- Status2024-CH-1001-002-AOpenClosed$5,194.00Questioned 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.
Pursue collection from the applicable owner or reimburse its HCV Program $5,194 from non-Federal funds for HAP that was not properly stopped for two units with outstanding HQS deficiencies.
- Status2024-CH-1001-002-BOpenClosed$10,233.00Questioned 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 support showing whether HAP was appropriately stopped for the four units cited in the finding or reimburse or pursue collection of $10,233 from non-Federal funds for HAP to owners with outstanding HQS deficiencies.
- Status2024-CH-1001-002-COpenClosed
Implement procedures and controls regarding its stop payment process to ensure that it consistently (1) stops payments as required by its HCV Program administrative plan and HUD requirements, (2) verifies and documents the correction of deficiencies, and (3) maintains sufficient documentation to support the stop payment for each unit.
- Status2024-CH-1001-002-DOpenClosed
Implement controls over its inspection processes and procedures to ensure that emergency failures are properly identified, reinspected, and corrected within 24 hours in accordance with its HCV Program administrative plan or the housing assistance to the owner is stopped.
- Status2024-CH-1001-002-EOpenClosed
Work with its contractor to ensure that the contractor’s inspectors receive training on how to properly identify and categorize life-threatening deficiencies.
- Status2024-CH-1001-003-AOpenClosed
Develop and implement policies and procedures that align with HUD’s requirements and controls to ensure that owners follow the requirements of the LSHR.
- Status2024-CH-1001-003-BOpenClosed
Work with HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes to provide technical assistance to the Authority’s staff to develop and implement policies, procedures, and controls for managing cases of children with EBLLs to ensure compliance with the LSHR, including attempts to collaborate with public health departments to identify cases of EBLL in children under 6 years of age under its HCV Program and updating its policies and procedures accordingly.