OPA details GHURA audit

by Jolene Toves

Guam - The Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority has garnered a clean opinion for Fiscal Year 2013. According to the Office of Public Accountability the agency ended FY13 with a net loss of $3.6 million which is primarily due to the decline in total subsidies and grants. The audit identified five areas of weakness which include the waiting list, upfront income verification, file maintenance and utility allowance. Additionally identifying significant deficiencies in annual inspections, drug abuse and criminal activity clearances for several tenants, failure to update and submit the 504 assessment to rural development and the use of an outdated utility schedule. Further noting deficiencies related to lack of segregation of duties for editing tenant and landlord payment information, and lack of obtaining business licenses for existing landlord recertification process. To read the full report visit http://www.guamopa.org.