U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General

A tenant of our mission is to safeguard HUD’s programs from fraud.  This principle shapes our vision and guides our oversight strategy to help identify opportunities for HUD programs to progress and succeed. A recent HUD OIG investigation involving conspiracy to embezzle from a federally funded program, resulted in the successful prosecution of an Amarillo city employee who pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $465K meant to provide shelter for homeless people. Find out more about this case here: https://lnkd.in/eynXmnub

IG Oliver Davis Pens Op-ed with U.S. Attorney on Combatting Sexual Harassment in Housing Published today by NJ.com, IG Rae Oliver Davis joined U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger to pen an Op-ed highlighting their partnership and commitment to pursue criminal and civil prosecution and penalties for those who sexually assault or harass HUD tenants. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eKJzBTA7 Since launching its initiative to combat sexual misconduct in housing in March 2023, HUD OIG has conducted significant training and community outreach with U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country to protect HUD tenants from predatory landlords and others with authority over their housing.   Learn more about what HUD OIG is doing to promote safety in HUD-assisted Housing by visiting www.HUDOIG.GOV.   Individuals who believe they may have been victims of sexual misconduct in HUD-assisted housing is encouraged to contact the HUD OIG Hotline at 1-800-347-3735 or report online at https://lnkd.in/emwpygHX.

NEW AUDIT! The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Did Not Have Adequate Oversight of Lead-Based Paint in Its Public Housing 👉 https://lnkd.in/enj7XwtC HUD OIG issued a report examining the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority’s management of cases of children with elevated blood lead levels and oversight of lead‐based paint and associated hazards in its public housing program. The audit found that the Authority did not comply with HUD’s reporting and verification requirements for cases of children with elevated blood lead levels and did not adequately manage lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in its public housing, placing residents at increased risk of lead exposure. HUD’s Lead Safe Housing Rule established specific actions or procedures that public housing authorities are required to perform for hazard reduction of lead‐based paint and lead‐based paint hazards. The Authority stated that it was not aware of certain HUD requirements for managing cases of children with elevated blood lead levels; however, it should have been aware of and implemented those requirements. HUD OIG made several key recommendations the Authority must take to improve its procedures and controls concerning cases of elevated blood lead levels, environmental investigations and timeliness of visual assessments for lead-based paint, and staff training and technical assistance. 

ICYMI: HUD OIG issued its newsletter for the third quarter. This newsletter summarizes our most recent oversight work published during the previous quarter and includes news highlights from the Inspector General. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e5e576Rc

Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis joined the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to announce a $570,000 settlement between a landlord and his property management company to resolve allegations of overcharging Section 8 tenants and engaging in sexually exploitative behavior. 👉 https://lnkd.in/e9XpGmXt If you, or someone you know has been a victim of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual exploitation— even if the harassment occurred many years ago—please report it. ◾ HUD Office of Inspector General Hotline at 1-800-347-3735 or visit our website at www.hudoig.gov/hotline. ◾ DOJ Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative 1-844-380-6178 or visit the website at https://lnkd.in/epXA35fg.

HUD OIG safeguard's HUD’s programs from fraud, waste, and abuse and identify opportunities for HUD programs to progress and succeed. That is why we have prioritized oversight work that promotes decent, safe, and affordable housing through our environmental justice initiative. Learn more about our work, https://lnkd.in/eDRhjAQp

HUD OIG identified that thousands of contractors working on HUD projects may not be protected against retaliation. This is because the contract they are working on pre-dates the July 1, 2013, anti-retaliation law (Section 4712).  HUD OIG identified this gap and recommended that HUD modify its contracts to include anti-retaliation provisions.  By proactively modifying contracts that do not include whistleblower protections, HUD will further promote the integrity of its programs and ensure that employees who work under those contracts are safeguarded from retaliation when they disclose wrongdoing.  Read our management alert here: https://lnkd.in/gidgkrrv 

Maryland Woman Sentenced for Theft of Federal Housing and Food Assistance Payments A resident of Laurel, Maryland, was sentenced in federal court to three years of probation and restitution of more than $50,000 following her conviction for theft of government funds from two federal agencies. Read more: https://lnkd.in/en8V5mDV

NEW! HUD OIG Quarterly Recap This newsletter summarizes our most recent oversight work published during the previous quarter and includes news highlights from the Inspector General. Read more: https://lnkd.in/epnGbTyc

HUD OIG is prioritizing oversight of environmental hazards in HUD-assisted housing, including the management of lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in public housing. Check out our recent audit examining the physical conditions of Section 8 housing at the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority: https://lnkd.in/ebzYrRyT