Health & Fitness
Report Applauds Hoboken Housing Authority
Department of Housing and Urban Development declares that the Hoboken Housing Authority has administered its ARRA funds correctly.
The Hoboken Housing Authority is thrilled to announce that the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Investigations (OIG) audit report of the HHA is now complete. After countless blog postings and the dissemination of misinformation about the management of the housing authority, the Officer of the Inspector General has declared that the Hoboken Housing Authority administered its funds correctly and that all open issues have been resolved.
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The audit concludes that the HHA’s administering of the Recovery Act Capital Fund Program was in accordance with all regulations. “All funds were invested into the infrastructure of the housing authority to improve the quality of life for our residents,” said Executive Director Carmelo Garcia.
The OIG’s report, which was completed on May 13, addressed the allotment of the $2,780,883 the HHA received as part of the Recovery Act Capital Fund Program. In 2009, the president signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provided $4 billion for public housing agencies to use toward capital and management activities, including modernization, maintenance and development. In addition to the Recovery Act fund, the HHA also received approximately $2.2 million and $1.9 million in annual formula capital funds in 2010 and 2011. The HHA also administered the HUD-funded Low Rent Housing program, for which it operated 1,357 units located in five developments and the Housing Choice Voucher program, for which it administered 326 vouchers.
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The OIG concluded that HHA officials established and implemented adequate controls to ensure that the funds awarded under the Recovery Act were obligated and expended as required, in compliance of all regulations and guidelines. During the audit process, the HHA worked cohesively with the OIG, providing full cooperation and all necessary documentation. The findings negate all the untruths about the management of the housing agency by Garcia and in fact applaud his efforts.
“The conclusion of this audit and the fact that there were no findings puts the authority in a good place to move forward,” said Chairman Robert Davis.
