Reports

HUD OIG is conducting a review of a nationwide mortgage servicing company that provides servicing and origination for FHA loans. In the summer of 2021, FHA introduced new recovery loss mitigation options for borrowers exiting forbearance, which will provide a path to deep and sustained recovery for borrowers who were significantly impacted by the pandemic by reinstating their loans from a delinquent to current status. Our objective is to determine if the servicer provided all available options to borrowers with FHA insured loans to help them stay in their homes after the COVID-19 forbearance ended.

HUD OIG is conducting an audit of COVID-19 loss mitigation. In the summer of 2021, FHA introduced new recovery loss mitigation options for borrowers exiting forbearance, which will provide a path to deep and sustained recovery for borrowers who were significantly impacted by the pandemic by reinstating their loans from a delinquent to current status. Our audit objective is to determine if delinquent borrowers of FHA-insured loans received all available options to stay in their homes after forbearance ended.

HUD OIG is conducting an audit to assess HUD’s overall fraud risk management program, and to identify fraud risks for funds that HUD received from the Coronavirus Aid Recovery and Economic Stability Act and American Rescue Plan Act. Our objectives are to 1) assess HUD’s progress in implementing a fraud risk management framework, at the enterprise and program office levels, that encompasses control activities to prevent, detect, and respond to fraud; and 2) develop an inventory of fraud risks that HUD has not already identified for the funds appropriated by the CARES and ARP Acts for the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, Project-Based Rental Assistance, HOME Investment Partnerships, and Public Housing Operating Fund program.

The objectives of this audit are to: 1) obtain, review, and assess agency plans to expend these funds, 2) determine the current status of the RRB IT initiatives to expend all or part of the appropriation, 3) evaluate if the project progress is in accordance with the RRB’s project plan timeline, and reasons for delay, if any, 4) evaluate if the RRB’s goals and timeline are reasonable and attainable to achieve the intended purpose as stated in agency plans, and 5) evaluate the outcomes of the project relative to the anticipated improvements.

The objectives of this audit are to: 1) determine if mobile phones purchased and deployed as a result of the pandemic comply with RRB mobile device policies including records retention for voice mail, text messages, photographs, etc, 2) conduct a cost benefit analysis for the cell phones that would include identification of non-usage of cell phones and extensive personal usage, 3) assess the necessity for the mobile phone, for the entire population of cell phones, based on cell phone usage tied to employee positions within the agency, 4) assess the types of the applications downloaded to the mobile phones and determine if they are appropriate for business purposes and if approvals were required, and 5) assess whether agency records of mobile phone assignment are accurate and complete for the entire population of cell phones.

HUD OIG is reviewing HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development’s (CPD) HUD’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG-CV) program.  The CARES Act provided $4.9 billion in CCDBG-CV funds to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.  Our objective is to determine what challenges grantees faced in obligating and spending their allocated CDBG-CV funds for activities that prepare for, prevent, or respond to COVID-19 and its impact.

HUD OIG will summarize the conclusions/findings and recommendations reported by seven participating OIGs and the General Accountability Office related to natural disaster preparedness.  Our objective is to inform Federal agencies and the OIG community of the reported conclusions/findings and recommendations regarding preparing for and responding to natural disasters.
 

HUD OIG is reviewing HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development’s (CPD) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG-CV) program.  The CARES Act provided $4 billion in ESG-CV funds to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, among individuals and families who are homeless or receiving homeless assistance.  Our objective is to determine what challenges grantees of ESG-CV funds have faced in implementing the program and utilizing grant funds.
 

The preliminary objectives of this audit cover the extended unemployment and sickness benefits that were appropriated through the CARES Act, CARWA, and ARPA to determine if (1) they were accurately expended, recorded, and reported and (2) internal controls were effective, including fraud controls.

HUD OIG is auditing HUD’s administration of its temporary endorsement policy related to COVID-19 forbearance activity.  The temporary policy allowed mortgagees to endorse mortgages that were placed into forbearance prior to endorsement as long as they met certain requirements and executed a 2-year partial indemnification agreement.  Our objectives are to determine whether the policy was properly followed by mortgagees, review HUD’s plan to monitor and enforce the indemnification agreements, and review HUD’s decision to end the policy.