The New Brunswick Housing Authority, NJ, Did Not Always Administer Its Operating and Capital Funds in Accordance With HUD Requirements
Audit #: 2017-NY-1013
Oversight Area: Rental Assistance
Date Published: September 28, 2017
2017-NY-1013-001-A
Closed
Better Funds Used: $0
Questioned Costs: $800,439
We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Newark Office of Public Housing to require the Authority to provide documentation to show that the $800,439 paid for supplies and services purchased under the intergovernmental agreement for capital improvement projects was reasonable or reimburse its Capital Fund from non-Federal funds for any amount that it cannot support or that is not considered reasonable.
2017-NY-1013-001-B
Closed
Better Funds Used: $0
Questioned Costs: $217,403
We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Newark Office of Public Housing to require the Authority to provide documentation to show that the $217,403 paid for legal, fee accounting, management consulting, and auditing services was reasonable or reimburse its Capital Fund or Operating Fund from non-Federal funds for any amount that it cannot support or that is not considered reasonable.
2017-NY-1013-001-C
Closed
Better Funds Used: $0
Questioned Costs: $0
We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Newark Office of Public Housing to require the Authority to provide training to its staff related to HUD and Federal procurement requirements, including the requirements for using intergovernmental agreements and preparing independent cost estimates and cost analyses.
2017-NY-1013-001-D
Closed
Better Funds Used: $0
Questioned Costs: $187,492
We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Newark Office of Public Housing to require the Authority to provide documentation to show that $187,492 in 2013 and 2014 capital fund obligations or reimburse HUD from non-Federal funds for any amount that it cannot support.
2017-NY-1013-001-E
Closed
Better Funds Used: $0
Questioned Costs: $139,423
We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Newark Office of Public Housing to require the Authority to reimburse HUD $139,423 in replacement housing factor funds not disbursed by the expenditure deadline from its replacement housing factor funds or reduce its future capital funds.
2017-NY-1013-001-F
Closed
Better Funds Used: $0
Questioned Costs: $0
We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Newark Office of Public Housing to require the Authority to improve its policies and procedures to ensure that capital funds, including replacement housing factor funds, are obligated and spent for eligible activities in a timely manner.
2017-NY-1013-001-G
Closed
Better Funds Used: $0
Questioned Costs: $87,116
We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Newark Office of Public Housing to require the Authority to reimburse its project from non-Federal funds for $87,116 in excessive management fees charged for units undergoing demolition.
2017-NY-1013-001-H
Closed
Better Funds Used: $0
Questioned Costs: $0
We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Newark Office of Public Housing to require the Authority to submit a request to the HUD field office to revise its budget so that it reflects actual expenditures for 2014 capital funds.
2017-NY-1013-001-I
Closed
Better Funds Used: $0
Questioned Costs: $0
We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Newark Office of Public Housing to require the Authority to improve its policies and procedures to ensure that its budget, financial reports, and accounting data are accurate and up to date.
2017-NY-1013-001-J
Closed
Better Funds Used: $0
Questioned Costs: $0
We also recommend that the Director of HUD’s Newark Office of Public Housing consider reducing future capital funds as a penalty for the Authority’s obligating its 2009, 2010, and 2011 replacement housing factor funds after the deadline.