Federal Reports

Our objective was to report internal control weaknesses, noncompliance issues, and unallowable costs identified in the single audit to the Social Security Administration (SSA) for resolution action.

Review based on the requirements in OMB Circular A-123, Appendix C (M-18-20), OMB Circular A-136, and guidance issued by theCouncil of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.

OIG data analytics identified Merrifield, VA, Post Office permit postage refunds totaling about $179,613 for fiscal year (FY) 2020. In addition, we identified some months with unusually high refunds. The objective of this audit was to determine whether postage affixed BRM refunds were properly issued, supported, and processed at the Merrifield, VA, Post Office.

While reviewing the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) plans to document receipt and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) determined that VHA facilities did not consistently document the COVID-19 vaccination status of veterans living in VA’s Community Living Centers (CLCs).The OIG determined that VHA could not know at a national level whether the vaccine was offered to some CLC residents, and if so, what their status was. Because CLC residents are in the highest COVID-19 vaccine priority group, they should be offered the vaccine, when possible, before other groups of veterans. With vaccine supplies limited, VHA should know which CLC residents still need to be vaccinated.The OIG found VHA has made important strides in distributing vaccines to CLC residents, but can move toward more comprehensive and consistent data collection to guide ongoing actions and protect this vulnerable population. Doing so would include making sure all CLCs routinely track refusals and contraindications in a consistent manner. Guidance should be clear that all communications should be consistently documented in accordance with VHA processes.Similarly, clear guidance and consistent oversight should help ensure CLCs are properly tracking veterans who fall in the 23 percent of CLC residents missing information needed to determine their vaccination status. It was not possible by January 2021 to establish which of the 1,899 veterans in this cohort had been offered the vaccine.The OIG will continue its oversight work on vaccinations within VHA and plans to issue a full report, including specific recommendations. In the meantime, the OIG requests to know what action, if any, VHA takes to mitigate the potential risks identified in this memorandum and the outcome of those actions.

We analyzed delayed mail volumes from mail processing facilities nationwide and found that the North Houston, TX, Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) reported the most delayed mail in the nation from January 1 to December 31, 2020. However, the North Houston P&DC also processed4 the most mail in the country during that timeframe. Our objective was to determine the cause of delayed mail at the North Houston P&DC.

HUD does not have a departmentwide policy for dealing with radon contamination. Instead, HUD relies on each program office to develop radon policies that align with HUD’s environmental regulations. The three program offices reviewed do not have consistent radon policies. Only Multifamily’s radon policy includes radon testing and mitigation requirements. PIH’s policy strongly encourages but does not require public housing agencies (PHA) to test for radon and to mitigate excessive radon levels, if possible. CPD does not have a radon policy. Instead, both PIH and CPD use the environmental review process to test for and mitigate excessive radon levels in their properties. Relying on the environmental review process to test for and mitigate excessive radon may result in radon testing that occurs too infrequently, if at all. Further, the flexibility PIH gives to PHAs in its radon policy does not align with statements in HUD’s environmental regulations.Absent a departmentwide radon policy, each program office has developed a radon policy or approach with varying degrees of testing and mitigation requirements. This approach does not align with HUD’s environmental regulations or support industry standards which state that radon testing should occur every 2 years after a mitigation system is installed. Given that environmental reviews generally occur only for specific funding or approval actions and exposure to radon shows no immediate health effects or other warning signs, HUD cannot ensure that residents in HUD-assisted housing receive consistent and sufficient protection from the hazardous health effects of radon exposure. During fieldwork, HUD could not confirm whether it has complied with certain requirements of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Amendments Act – namely, developing and recommending an effective policy on radon contamination to Congress, developing a memorandum with Environmental Protection Agency to address radon contamination, and submitting a radon report to Congress. We offer seven recommendations to help HUD better protect residents from hazardous health risks of indoor radon exposure. The statuses of recommendations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are all “unresolved-open.” Recommendation 7 is closed.