In accordance with our goal to review funds provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), we conducted a capacity review of Warm Springs Housing Authority’s (Authority) operations. Our objective was to determine whether the Authority has the capacity to adequately administer Recovery Act funding.
Our limited review found no evidence indicating the Authority lacks the capacity to administer its Recovery Act funding. However, we are concerned that the authority's accomplishments will not be sustained without a commitment to future management and to the continued improvement of its internal control environment. A qualified executive director and a functional board of commissioners are necessary to establish the organization's internal control environment; its integrity and ethical values; its commitment to competence; and its framework for planning, directing, and controlling operations.

We recommended that the Northwest Office of Native American Programs staff provide technical assistance to and monitor the progress of the Authority’s activities and to request the tribal council hire an executive director and appoint qualified members to the board of commissioners.