Direct the applicable lenders to provide evidence that the properties for the 1,383 FHA-insured loans not included in our sample had a safe and potable water source, or that the appraisers had not notified the lender of the water quality issue on their appraisals. If the lenders cannot provide this evidence, HUD should direct them to perform water testing and any necessary remediation to ensure that the properties have a safe and potable water source, or indemnify HUD against future loss.

Take appropriate administrative action against the lenders or appraisers for any cases in which it finds that they did not take appropriate steps to ensure that properties had a safe and potable water source.

Develop and implement additional guidance to advise lenders and appraisers when water testing is required for properties serviced by a public water system which has issued a public notice of water contamination.

Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that appraisers comply with guidance implemented to resolve recommendation 1C, including penalties for failure to comply, thereby ensuring that at least $238,090,214 million is put to better use.

Consider requiring water testing for all FHA-insured properties.

Work with HUD to nullify the restrictions on conveyance that violate HUD policy or indemnify HUD. This action will protect HUD against future losses of $2,434,204 for the 49 loans.

Repay HUD $26,242 for partial claims paid on two FHA loans that contained prohibited restrictive covenants.

Develop and implement policies and procedures to identify prohibited restrictions on conveyance to ensure that it does not originate FHA loans with prohibited restrictive covenants.

Provide training to its employees regarding HUD’s requirements related to prohibited restrictions on conveyance.

Provide training and technical assistance to the owner and its management agent to ensure compliance with the terms of its regulatory agreement and applicable HUD requirements.

Submit a project owner’s or management agent’s certification for identity-of-interest agents, a management entity profile, a management plan, and other required documentation for review and approval.

Request retroactive approval of the fees paid to the identity-of-interest entity totaling $402,975 and any fees incurred outside our audit period, including fiscal year 2017, when submitting the project owner’s or management agent’s certification for identity-of-interest agents in response to recommendation 2A. If the request is not approved retroactively, the owner should repay the project from nonproject funds for the amount that was not approved.

Evaluate the owner’s capability to effectively manage the project and consider whether independent professional management services are needed.

Work with HUD to nullify the restrictions on conveyance that violate HUD policy or indemnify HUD. This action will protect HUD against future losses of $381,823 for the seven loans.

Repay HUD $26,472 for partial claims paid on one FHA loan that contained prohibited restrictive covenants.

Develop and implement policies and procedures to identify prohibited restrictions on conveyance to ensure that it does not originate FHA loans with prohibited restrictive covenants.

Provide training to its employees regarding HUD’s requirements related to prohibited restrictions on conveyance.

Develop and implement controls over owner contributions and owner distributions to ensure compliance with its regulatory agreement and HUD regulations.

Complete HUD-approved training regarding owner contributions and distributions.

Repay its project’s operating account for the ineligible $15,000 disbursement from non-project funds.