Auditor General DePasquale to Audit DCED’s Oversight of Federally Funded Homeless Prevention, Re-Housing Programs

HARRISBURG, PA – April 8, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced that his department will conduct a comprehensive performance audit to evaluate the Department of Community and Economic Development’s administration of federally funded homeless prevention and re-housing programs. 

“A supply of safe and affordable housing options is key to the health and economic stability of some of our most vulnerable citizens in rural and urban areas,” DePasquale said. “We need to ensure that the housing funds we get from the federal government are being used efficiently and effectively to provide homes for those who need them.”

The audit will cover DCED’s oversight of the Emergency Solutions Grant and the HOME Investment Partnership programs.  The Emergency Solutions Grant program provides assistance to local governments and shelters to serve a broad range of housing needs for victims of domestic abuse, persons with disabilities, and displaced families.  The HOME Investment Partnership program offers local governments support for new affordable housing options and opportunities.

“In addition to providing much-need housing, these programs that encourage rehabilitation and increased housing starts and home sales can provide an economic boost to many communities by providing new employment and new business opportunities,” DePasquale said.

The audit will cover the period of July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2014 and will assess:

• DCED’s procedures for monitoring a recipient’s compliance with program requirements;

• what actions DCED takes when a recipient of federal funds is noncompliant with the program requirements; and

• whether DCED reallocated any federal funds to other recipients and determine if any reallocations complied with program requirements.