The state’s audit of Clark County found that the Department of Community Services did not follow federal requirements for inspecting low-income housing developed through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.
During 2016, there were 17 properties that required a housing quality standards inspection. The county inspected 13 properties, according to the report published Thursday by the Washington State Auditor’s Office. This included four properties that had four or fewer units and not all of those units were inspected as required, the report said. Properties that are developed using HOME funds have to be inspected at the project’s completion, within 12 months after project completion and at least once every three years thereafter, so long as it remains affordable housing.
The auditor’s office said internal controls would’ve ensured all the properties needing inspections were inspected. That lack of controls was considered a material weakness, meaning that there’s a possibility that the county won’t meet a federal requirement, according to the auditor’s report. Not complying with the inspection requirements could result in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — the federal source of HOME grant funding — withholding future funding.
Last year, the county spent $1.06 million on its HOME Investment Partnerships Program. It can use the money to acquire property, build houses or rehabilitate housing, primarily for families earning no more than 60 percent of the area median income. Funding has been available since 1992, resulting in the development of more than 1,000 affordable rental units.
