Internal Controls: Indian Housing Controls Improved But Need Strengthening
RCED-87-148
Published: Aug 05, 1987. Publicly Released: Aug 05, 1987.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed the Bureau of Indian Affairs' (BIA) actions to correct weaknesses in its Housing Improvement Program (HIP), which provides grants to Indian families living in substandard or inadequate housing to: (1) make repairs; (2) make down payments for home purchases; and (3) finance construction of new homes.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Interior | In order to improve the effectiveness of the model contract, thereby ensuring that HIP funds are properly spent on the neediest Indian applicants, the Secretary of the Interior should direct the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs to require contracting officers and COR to enforce the model contract provisions requiring the submission of documents, such as inventories of applicants, which help BIA monitor the operation of the program. |
Closed – Implemented
According to the Chief, Division of Housing Assistance, a program review was conducted which indicated that all GAO recommendations in the report were implemented and being carried out.
|
| Department of the Interior | In order to improve the effectiveness of the model contract, thereby ensuring that HIP funds are properly spent on the neediest Indian applicants, the Secretary of the Interior should direct the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs to require COR to verify that planned construction is carried out; if they do not have the engineering expertise to assess quality, COR should make use of construction expertise at area offices. |
Closed – Implemented
According to the Chief, Division of Housing Assistance, a program review was conducted which indicated that all GAO recommendations in the report were implemented and being carried out.
|
| Department of the Interior | In order to improve the effectiveness of the model contract, thereby ensuring that HIP funds are properly spent on the neediest Indian applicants, the Secretary of the Interior should direct the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs to require BIA to periodically test tribal application of selection criteria. |
Closed – Implemented
According to the Chief, Division of Housing Assistance, a program review was conducted which indicated that all GAO recommendations in the report were implemented and being carried out.
|
| Department of the Interior | In order to improve the effectiveness of the model contract, thereby ensuring that HIP funds are properly spent on the neediest Indian applicants, the Secretary of the Interior should direct the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs to change the model contract requirement from an inventory of housing needs of all tribal members desiring to participate in HIP to an inventory of applicants. |
Closed – Implemented
According to the Chief, Division of Housing Assistance, a program review was conducted which indicated that all GAO recommendations in the report were implemented and being carried out.
|
| Department of the Interior | In order to improve the effectiveness of the model contract, thereby ensuring that HIP funds are properly spent on the neediest Indian applicants, the Secretary of the Interior should direct the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs to clarify the level of detail required in drawings and specifications and the description of repairs. |
Closed – Implemented
According to the Chief, Division of Housing Assistance, a program review was conducted which indicated that all GAO recommendations in the report were implemented and being carried out.
|
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Topics
Eligibility criteriaFederal fundsFunds managementHousing constructionHousing repairsInternal controlsNative AmericansProgram managementRural housing programsConstruction