We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development require the City to support $170,066 or repay its CDBG-DR program from non-Federal funds for payments made to the demolition contractor under its housing buyout program without independent cost estimates and cost analyses.
2021-FW-1002 | June 21, 2021
The City of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department, Houston, TX, Did Not Always Ensure That Its Program Followed Procurement Requirements
Community Planning and Development
- Status2021-FW-1002-001-COpenClosed$170,066Questioned 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.
- Status2021-FW-1002-001-DOpenClosed$27,250Questioned 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.
We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development require the City to support $27,250 or repay its CDBG-DR program from non-Federal funds for payments made to three appraisal contractors under its housing buyout program without cost analyses.
- Status2021-FW-1002-001-EOpenClosed
We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development require the City to develop and implement a HUD-approved written plan and checklists that will correct and prevent the deficiencies outlined in the finding.
- Status2021-FW-1002-001-FOpenClosed
We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development require the City to provide training to City staff to ensure that it understands and follows procurement requirements, such as performing independent cost estimates, cost analysis, scoring, including all contract provisions, ensuring that subrecipients understand and follow procurement requirements, and maintaining appropriate procurement documentation.
- Status2021-FW-1002-001-GOpenClosed
We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development require the City to Update its procurement policies and procedures to ensure compliance with disaster assistance program requirements
- Status2021-FW-1002-001-HOpenClosed
We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development require the City to ensure that monitoring includes a review of its subrecipients’ (1) policies and procedures to ensure that the policies and procedures are current and comply with HUD requirements, (2) documentation supporting cost reasonableness to ensure that the documentation is sufficient, and (3) training provided regarding procurement and other program requirements to ensure that trainings are adequate.
2020-OE-0003 | April 12, 2021
HUD Program Offices’ Policies and Approaches for Radon
Community Planning and Development
- Status2020-OE-0003-01OpenClosedPriorityPriority
We believe these open recommendations, if implemented, will have the greatest impact on helping HUD achieve its mission to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.
Develop and issue a departmentwide policy that notes that radon is a radioactive substance and outlines HUD's requirements to test for and mitigate excessive radon levels in accordance with 24 CFR 50.3(i)(1) and 58.5(i)(2)(i).
Corrective Action Taken
None Given.
- Status2020-OE-0003-02OpenClosed
Develop and provide training for applicable program staff, grantees, and PHAs on radon testing and mitigation requirements.
- Status2020-OE-0003-03OpenClosed
Develop and implement an effective radon policy to ensure that CPD program activities comply with the departmentwide policy on radon testing and mitigation requirements.
Housing
- Status2020-OE-0003-04OpenClosed
Update the current Multifamily radon policy to ensure that program activities comply with the departmentwide policy on radon testing and mitigation requirements.
Public and Indian Housing
- Status2020-OE-0003-05OpenClosed
Revise the current PIH radon policy to align with 24 CFR 50.3(i)(1) and 58.5(i)(2)(i).
- Status2020-OE-0003-06OpenClosed
Update the PIH radon policy to ensure that program activities comply with the departmentwide policy on radon testing and mitigation requirements.
Lead Hazard Control
- Status2020-OE-0003-07OpenClosed
Provide the MOU with EPA designed to address radon contamination.
2021-PH-0002 | March 29, 2021
Reimbursements Received Through Rent Credits From the General Services Administration
Office of Administration
- Status2021-PH-0002-001-BOpenClosed
We recommend that HUD’s Chief Administrative Officer implement the corrective actions and internal process improvements in internal control developed as a result of the Chief Financial Officer’s investigation addressed in recommendation 1A.
- Status2021-PH-0002-001-COpenClosed
We recommend that HUD’s Chief Administrative Officer provide training to responsible staff and officials to ensure that those that may be involved with negotiating any GSA rent credits, like the credits addressed in this report, identify such potential rent credit transactions and follow the corrective actions and process improvements implemented to resolve recommendation 1B.
Chief Financial Officer
- Status2021-PH-0002-001-AOpenClosed
We recommend that HUD’s Chief Financial Officer investigate the facts surrounding the potential Antideficiency Act violation involving the $7,787,675 in rent credits and make a formal determination. If it is determined that a violation occurred, the Chief Financial Officer should develop corrective action plans or internal process improvements as necessary, take disciplinary actions as appropriate, and report the identified violations to the oversight authorities including the HUD Secretary, the President, OMB, Congress and the Comptroller General.
2021-DP-0002 | March 02, 2021
Necessary System Interfaces Between HERMIT And The National Servicing Center Were Not In Place
Housing
- Status2021-DP-0002-001-AOpenClosedSensitiveSensitive
Sensitive information refers to information that could have a damaging import if released to the public and, therefore, must be restricted from public disclosure.
The OIG has determined that the contents of this recommendation would not be appropriate for public disclosure and has therefore limited its distribution to selected officials.
- Status2021-DP-0002-001-BOpenClosedSensitiveSensitive
Sensitive information refers to information that could have a damaging import if released to the public and, therefore, must be restricted from public disclosure.
The OIG has determined that the contents of this recommendation would not be appropriate for public disclosure and has therefore limited its distribution to selected officials.
- Status2021-DP-0002-001-COpenClosedSensitiveSensitive
Sensitive information refers to information that could have a damaging import if released to the public and, therefore, must be restricted from public disclosure.
The OIG has determined that the contents of this recommendation would not be appropriate for public disclosure and has therefore limited its distribution to selected officials.
2019-OE-0003 | February 14, 2021
Contaminated Sites Pose Potential Health Risks to Residents at HUD-Funded Properties
Housing
- Status2019-OE-0003-01OpenClosed
Develop and implement a strategy to review Multifamily-funded properties with potential contamination to determine whether site contamination should be considered in future environmental reviews.