Comer Housing Authority Cited by HUD for Numerous Violations

The City of Comer’s Housing Authority is coming under fire from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General.

In late April, HUD issued its report of an audit conducted on the Comer Housing Authority’s financial and procurement operations after concerns were raised by the Georgia State Office of Public Housing.

The state conducted an audit in August 2013 and identified a number of deficiencies which they passed on to HUD.

HUD’s Office of Public Housing subsequently identified problems concerning what they say was the misuse of funds, a lack of governance and internal controls, excessive unit vacancies, and a conflict of interest by the executive director.

According to the audit report, the Comer Housing Authority paid out more than $22,000 that violated conflict-of-interest provisions and also prevented it from renovating its vacant units in a timely manner.

They say from 2006 to 2014, 10 units were taken offline for renovations, and only two had been completed.

In addition, the Comer Housing Authority could not prove that it complied with its procurement policies for more than $33,000 in contracts for professional services and general labor.

HUD said these conditions occurred because the Madison County Board of Commissioners and the Comer Housing Authority Executive Director director failed to follow the provisions of the Housing Authority’s consolidated annual contributions contract and Federal regulations.

The auditors have recommended the Comer Housing Authority be required to reimburse HUD the $22,000 in ineligible costs, hire qualified contractors to complete the work necessary to make the vacant units habitable and available to low-income families; reimburse HUD another $33,144 from non-Federal funds; and (4) ensure that its board of commissioners is able to enforce the regulations related to the Comer Housing Authority’s financial operations, conflict-of-interest relationships, and procurement.

They also recommended HUD’s Departmental Enforcement Center, in coordination with the HUD’s Office of Public Housing, take appropriate enforcement actions against the Comer Housing Authority officials responsible for the noncompliance.

WLHR News reached out to the Comer Housing Authority for a response but our calls have not been returned.