We completed a limited review of social security number validation procedures used by lenders to qualify single family loans for FHA mortgage insurance. Prior to 2005, the use of invalid or false social security numbers (SSNs) by borrowers and co-borrowers to obtain FHA insured mortgages was an issue. Effective June 2005, FHA required the lenders to validate borrowers social security numbers by matching their names and dates of birth through…

We completed a limited review concerning Sprint FONCARDS or calling cards. We conducted the review to ensure adequate controls were present. The objectives of our review were to determine the controls in place to identify waste, fraud or abuse regarding the FTS 2001 Sprint FONCARD. We determined that verification memorandums were not being sent to individuals to verify that calls were official and were made by the individual as required in…

We completed a limited review concerning college students living in Section 8 subsidized housing. We conducted the review in response to media and congressional attention and subsequent issuance of new regulations and policy guidance by HUD that restricted the eligibility of the students. The media had reported that taxpayer subsidized housing was being occupied by students to offset the high price of college. It also reported concerns by the…

We completed an audit of the Housing Authority of the City of Asbury Park, Asbury Park, New Jersey. The objectives of the audit were to determine whether (1) capital funds were properly expended and obligated in accordance with HUD requirements, (2) salaries and related benefits allocated to different programs were reasonable and supported, and (3) controls over maintenance and repairs were adequate. The Authority did not adequately administer…

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Office of Inspector General audited the State of Mississippi's (State) calculation of homeowners' grant amounts and monitoring of the implementation of its Homeowner's Assistance Grant Program. Our audit was part of the activities in our annual audit plan. Our objectives were to determine whether the State appropriately calculated the homeowners' grant amounts and monitored the…

As part of our annual plan, we audited the Office of Housing and Community Development, City of New Bedford, Massachusetts' (City) administration of its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs. Our audit objective was to determine whether the City complied with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations in administering its CDBG and HOME programs. The City generally…