Maynard Housing Authority

This is a Massachusetts State Auditor performance audit of certain Maynard Housing Authority activities from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.

“In accordance with Chapter 11, Section 12, of the Massachusetts General Laws, we have conducted an audit of certain activities of the Maynard Housing Authority for the period January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010.”

The audit checked whether the housing authority followed required laws and rules, and whether its internal management practices were adequate.

“The objectives of our audit were to determine the Authority’s compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations and to review and analyze its management controls and practices over the following areas and functions for the purpose of determining their adequacy: (1) tenant selection; (2) preparation and reoccupation of vacant units; (3) rent determinations; (4) collectability of accounts receivables; (5) site inspections; (6) payroll, travel, and fringe benefits; (7) disbursements; (8) inventory controls over property and equipment; (9) contract procurement; (10) cash management and investment practices; (11) Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)-approved budgets versus actual expenditures; and (12) level of need for operating subsidies and operating reserves.”

The audit matters because public housing authorities manage housing, rent, subsidies, contracts, money, and property that affect residents and taxpayers.

“Authority expenditures to determine whether they were reasonable, allowable, and applicable to the Authority’s operations and were adequately documented and properly authorized in accordance with established criteria.”

For a resident or taxpayer, the report says the authority’s tested processes for housing, rent, spending, cash, inspections, and records were working adequately during the audit period.

“Based on our review we have concluded that, during the 24-month period ended December 31, 2010, the Authority maintained adequate management controls and complied with applicable laws, rules, and regulations for the areas we tested.”

The auditor did not report material weaknesses and concluded the authority complied with requirements in the areas reviewed.

“Based on our review we have concluded that, during the 24-month period ended December 31, 2010, the Authority maintained adequate management controls and complied with applicable laws, rules, and regulations for the areas we tested.”

The report does not list corrective actions or recommendations; it simply sends the audit results to the authority’s chairman, with a copy to the executive director.

“cc: Robert Larkin, Executive Director”

This is a clean audit result for the areas tested: no material weaknesses were found over the two-year period reviewed.

“Our tests in the above-mentioned areas disclosed no material weaknesses.”

“Management controls” means the authority’s internal procedures for handling things like tenant selection, rent, spending, inspections, contracts, cash, and inventory.

“The objectives of our audit were to determine the Authority’s compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations and to review and analyze its management controls and practices over the following areas and functions for the purpose of determining their adequacy: (1) tenant selection; (2) preparation and reoccupation of vacant units; (3) rent determinations; (4) collectability of accounts receivables; (5) site inspections; (6) payroll, travel, and fringe benefits; (7) disbursements; (8) inventory controls over property and equipment; (9) contract procurement; (10) cash management and investment practices; (11) Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)-approved budgets versus actual expenditures; and (12) level of need for operating subsidies and operating reserves.”