Newton Housing Authority

This is a Massachusetts State Auditor report reviewing certain Newton Housing Authority activities from January 1, 2008 through January 28, 2011.

“In accordance with Chapter 11, Section 12, of the Massachusetts General Laws, we have conducted an audit of certain activities of the Newton Housing Authority for the period January 1, 2008 to January 28, 2011.”

Auditors checked whether the authority had proper management controls and followed relevant laws, rules, and regulations.

“The objectives of our audit were to assess the adequacy of the Authority’s management control system for measuring, reporting, and monitoring the effectiveness of its programs and to assess compliance with laws, rules, and regulations applicable to each program.”

The audit looked at core public housing functions, including tenant selection, rent calculations, vacancies, inspections, spending, contracts, cash handling, reserves, and rental voucher payments.

“To achieve our audit objectives, we reviewed the following:”

For a resident or taxpayer, the key point is that the tested housing programs appeared to be managed properly and in line with required rules.

“Based on our review, we have concluded that during the period ended January 28, 2011, the Authority maintained adequate management controls and complied with applicable laws, rules, and regulations for the areas tested.”

The Auditor concluded that the Newton Housing Authority passed the tested areas without material weaknesses.

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

The report was sent to the Newton Housing Authority for review, with the Auditor offering further contact if more information was needed.

“Enclosed is an audit report for your review.”

This report matters because it says that, for the areas tested, auditors did not find serious control problems or rule violations at the Newton Housing Authority during the audit period.

“Based on our review, we have concluded that during the period ended January 28, 2011, the Authority maintained adequate management controls and complied with applicable laws, rules, and regulations for the areas tested.”

“Management controls” means the systems an agency uses to track, report, and monitor whether its programs are working and following the rules.

“The objectives of our audit were to assess the adequacy of the Authority’s management control system for measuring, reporting, and monitoring the effectiveness of its programs and to assess compliance with laws, rules, and regulations applicable to each program.”