Lexington Housing Authority has cleared all OIG findings
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OIG Audit Report 2017-AT-1011
Avis P. Robinson, Executive Director
(336)249-8936|arobinson@lha-nc.org
Lexington, NC - The Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted an investigation of the Lexington Housing Authority and found numerous findings involving HUD compliance, insufficient policies, procedures and poor financial accountability. Since this time, the Lexington Housing Authority (“LHA”) has worked diligently with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), Greensboro Office of Public and Indian Housing, to resolve the twelve (12) findings issued by the HUD Office of Inspector General.
Of those (12) findings with the greatest gravity was the more than $2.7 million dollars OIG was requesting that the Housing Authority repay, unless proof of subsidy payments released could be fully supported.
Wilma Fuller, the late Rickey Holmes and Betty Gregory, Board Commissioners in the midst of some pretty dark days were determined to right the ship; looked to a weary, but determined staff to find their way and get the organization back to full HUD compliance.
Oct. 2018, Avis P. Robinson is appointed Interim Executive Director, she and her team rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Conducting their own internal forensic file audit, Ms. Robinson and staff have been able to compile the proof needed to support the subsidy paid during the time in question (2015-2016).
The Authority has been under extreme scrutiny and has completed more than eight separate and subsequent audits including Conformity Reviews, multiple Financial Audits, Rent Reasonableness, SEMAP, file audits and much more.
The result, OIG and HUD have finally cleared the Housing Authority of all (12) findings issued and declared the Housing Authority financially solvent and operating in accordance with HUD regulations.
“I have been overwhelmed and excited, I have cried, and laughed to keep from crying, remained silent and embraced some of the hardest work I have ever had to do in my life, but the consistent inspiration was knowing I didn’t have to do it alone. The current board of Commissioners, Telishia Sheppard (Director of Housing Operations) and my now seasoned team have supported and inspired me daily. It was our desire from the beginning to regain the community’s trust by moving the agency into to a space of operational excellence; we have done that. And then COVID came. COVID has been brutal on most businesses and agencies in the service arena, but we’re still maintaining operational excellence.
However, the next challenge awaits, expanding Lexington’s affordable housing options. I am looking forward to collaborating with community partners to take on this challenge while the Authority duplicates what we learned during our previous crisis, rolling up our sleeves and getting the work done. We thank the Community for its patience during this trying season”-Avis P. Robinson, Executive Director
