Updated December 10, 2010

Mecklenburg County has received this report from the HUD regional office summarizing the management review conducted in August. Upon completion of the site visit, Mecklenburg County identified corrective actions needed and has taken steps to address the findings. The County continues  to work with HUD to bring the Shelter Plus Care Program into full compliance.

Below are documents related to Mecklenburg County terminating its contract with Mecklenburg Open Door to administer Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant funds.

Final Site Visit Findings Report
 
Final report regarding Mecklenburg Open Door from Barbee Advisors, Inc

Report regarding Mecklenburg Open Door from Barbee Advisors, Inc

Office of the Inspector General Intent to Survey Letter

On-Site Review Summary

A recent program review by HUD revealed deficiencies in the program’s administration, which led to the termination of the contract with Mecklenburg Open Door by Mecklenburg County’s Area Mental Health Department (AMH). The review also revealed deficiencies in AMH’s monitoring of Open Door’s administration of the grant. The review provided no indication of missing funds.
 
In addition to terminating the contract with Mecklenburg Open Door, the County also has taken the following steps to address the identified deficiencies:

• Determined that housing is not a part of the core skill set for AMH. Therefore, AMH is seeking alternatives for grant administration with agencies experienced in housing, such as the City of Charlotte or the Charlotte Housing Authority.
• AMH staff have been reassigned to correct any deficiencies noted.
• AMH is working with County Finance to ensure that rent payments will be paid going forward.
• AMH has assigned staff with specific responsibilities for monitoring these contracts, with regular reporting to the Core Operations Team.
• County management has taken appropriate disciplinary actions, including written reprimand and termination, for employees who did not perform duties consistent with job requirements and expectations.
• The Office of the Inspector General of HUD is coming to Mecklenburg County on September 15 to conduct a further review.
• As part of its annual single audit of Mecklenburg County’s compliance and management of federal and state funds, which is already underway, the County’s external auditor will be conducting a review of the County’s overall sub-recipient grant monitoring process and procedures.

 

A final report on HUD’s review of the Shelter Care Plus grant is due in the next several weeks. It will also be posted here.