· New
software for audits will be used beginning this year. The
software integrates with DevCo Online. The new software will
allow OHFA PC to move toward becoming a paperless department,
work more efficiently and improve consistency. Owners/ managers
will also be able to view all of the review reports for projects
that they have access to in DevCo. More information on how
owners/managers will begin utilizing the new software on their
side will be sent out soon.
· Effective
immediately, owners/managers will be required to update all
tenant and project data in DevCo each month. Also, once an
owner/manager is notified of an upcoming OHFA audit, the data
will need to be updated within 10 days in order for OHFA to conduct
the audit accurately. It is especially important that owners/
managers are correctly designating HOME and Market units in
DevCo.
· OHFA
will begin to conduct re-inspections on projects to determine if
non-compliance has been corrected after an audit has been
completed. OHFA will perform re-inspections on a percentage of
all audits conducted.
· OHFA
will continue to give an original 60-day response period when
conducting audits. Beginning 1/1/2019, an additional 30-day
extension will be given. if requested. Please be sure to request
an extension should you need it; OHFA will not automatically
provide an extension and will not automatically reach out to you
to ask if you need one. After 90 days, OHFA will only give
extensions for good cause (as cited in the IRS 8823 guide 2-1).
Tenant Verifications Reminders
· Backdating
in any form is prohibited. An example of prohibited backdating is
a TIC printed on 6/1/2018 with signatures dated 5/15/18.
· OHFA’s
Student Status Certification (SSC) form was updated effective
1/1/2019: the “certification date” at the top has been removed.
The date that OHFA will use to satisfy compliance will be the
date that the form is signed. The old form has been removed as of
1/1/2019.
· If your
property has Project-Based Section 8 and is not using HUD’s model
lease, you must provide OHFA with the letter from HUD approving
your use of an alternative lease.
· If your
project has HOME funds and you float your HOME units, please
remember to verify all HOME households in accordance with HOME
regulations.
Additional Updates & Tips
· Please
remember that owners/managers are required to submit Utility
Allowance Requests for approval in accordance with OHFA policy.
· OHFA
does not permit quotes, bids or any other documentation of future
work to be completed as a cure for non-compliance. All
non-compliance must be cured within the allowable response
period. An example of this can be found in the IRS 8823 guide 6-7
(example 1).
· Attend
the webinar covering the Annual Owner Reporting Process on February
5 at 2:00 PM.
