HUD OIG is reviewing HUD’s efforts to achieve quality and safer public housing.  On December 5, 2016, HUD finalized a rule requiring all public housing agencies to implement a smoke-free policy by July 30, 2018.  The review objective was to determine whether HUD ensured that the public housing agencies complied with the implementing guidance of HUD’s smoke-free policy requirements in public housing programs.

HUD OIG is auditing rent credits that HUD received from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) during fiscal years 2015 through 2018 in exchange for financial contributions for building improvements.  We initiated this audit due to concerns we identified while completing a review of HUD’s use of funds approved by Congress for building improvements.  Our objective was to determine whether HUD accounted for and managed rent credits, issued by GSA in exchange for HUD’s financial contributions for building improvements, in accordance with applicable requirements.

HUD OIG is reviewing a housing authority in New Jersey.  The authority owns and manages public housing units for low-income families, and conducts administrative functions for other housing agencies under interagency agreements.  The review objective is to determine whether the authority administered its operating and capital funds, as well as funds received under interagency agreements, in accordance with applicable requirements.  

HUD OIG is reviewing HUD’s grant closeout process.  The Grants Oversight and New Efficiency (GONE) Act was enacted in 2016 and requires Federal agencies to report on certain expired grants and awards, and to take appropriate action to close them out.  The review objectives are to determine whether HUD: (1) established adequate grant closeout processes to ensure compliance with the GONE Act; and, (2) ensured that reports related to its compliance with the GONE Act were accurate.

HUD OIG is reviewing a housing authority in New York.  The authority has more than two dozen housing developments including one that has been mostly vacant for years.  The review objective is to determine whether the authority properly managed the vacant development.

HUD OIG is reviewing a housing authority in New Jersey.  The authority owns and manages public housing units to serve low-income families and was designated as high risk by HUD in 2017.  The review objective is to determine whether the Authority administered its Public Housing program in accordance with applicable requirements.  

HUD OIG is reviewing HUD's Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program.  Congress appropriated $40 million in both 2017 and 2018 to serve approximately 10,000 total families and an additional $40 million in 2019.  The review objective is to evaluate the challenges that participating Public Housing Authorities face in meeting the goals and objectives of the VASH program.

HUD OIG is auditing HUD's Office of Single-Family Housing - Federal Housing Administration (FHA) program partly in response to media reports which have highlighted instances when lenders did not properly administer the COVID-19 forbearance options.  The audit objective is to determine whether FHA insured borrowers properly received the CARES Act forbearance options.

HUD OIG is conducting a limited review of HUD's administration of supplemental operating funds under the CARES Act.  The CARES Act authorized an additional $685 million in public housing operating funds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19.  The review objective is to assess Public Housing Agencies' (PHA) experiences and challenges and HUD's efforts in providing guidance related to the administration of supplemental operating funds under the CARES Act.

HUD OIG is auditing HUD's compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA).  The PIIA requires HUD to identify and review all programs and activities it administers that may be susceptible to significant improper payments based on guidance provided by OMB.