Orleans Housing Authority

This is a performance audit of the Orleans Housing Authority covering July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2012.

“I am pleased to provide this performance audit of the Orleans Housing Authority.”

The auditor reviewed the housing authority’s internal controls and how it bought goods and services, including renovation-related purchases.

“The objectives of our audit were to (1) review and analyze the Authority’s overall system of internal controls and (2) review the process used by the Authority for the procurement of goods and services, including those for the modernization/renovation of its housing units, to determine whether its procurement activities were efficient and in compliance with the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD’s) procurement guidelines and laws, rules, and regulations applicable to state-aided housing programs.”

The authority provides housing and vouchers for low-income residents, elderly and handicapped people, families, and adults with mental disabilities through leased group homes.

“The Orleans Housing Authority was established in 1969 when the Town of Orleans recognized the need for a housing authority to address the shortage of safe, sanitary housing for low-income residents.”

If you live in or care about Orleans public housing, this report says the authority’s reviewed purchasing and controls were working adequately during the period checked.

“Based on our audit, we have concluded that, for the period July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2012, the Authority maintained an adequate system of internal controls and conducted its procurements in an efficient manner in compliance with DHCD guidelines and laws, rules, and regulations applicable to state-aided housing programs.”

The audit did not report findings requiring correction; it concluded the authority was compliant in the areas reviewed.

“Summary of Results”

The report does not list corrective actions or recommendations; it says audit staff discussed the report with authority management.

“My audit staff discussed the contents of this report with management of the Authority.”

This was a government audit done under state law and government auditing standards, so the conclusion is an official review, not an informal opinion.

“We conducted this performance audit in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.”

“Internal controls” means the authority’s safeguards and procedures for managing operations, records, and transactions properly.

“Additionally, we gained an understanding of the internal controls we deemed significant to our audit objectives and evaluated the design and effectiveness of those controls.”