By Bill Zeeble, KERA reporter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-659526.mp3
Dallas, TX – Bill Zeeble, KERA reporter: The accusation comes from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development's Office of the Inspector General. It says the Dallas Housing Authority mismanaged 3.8 million dollars worth of portable vouchers. Low income families can use the vouchers for subsidized housing anywhere in the United States. At issue is how the dha collected voucher money for families moving here. The Office of the Inspector General said the DHA's record keeping was inefficient & ineffective, & couldn't account for its vouchers. DHA president and CEO, Ann Lott, says she's hired experts to help, and blames some discrepancies on antiquated software.
Ann Lott, DHA President CEO: This is like a re-occurring nightmare & I'm consistently having to give an account for the financial controls of the organization. We've taken steps since 2005 to address financial inadequacies.
Zeeble: Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, whose office appoints DHA's board and president, called the audit findings unacceptable. With Lott sitting next to him, Leppert gave the Housing CEO 6 months to fix the problem.
Dallas Mayor Tom Lepprt: Accountability is paramount. The DHA is an important entity in this community. It's one people have to have trust in. Taxpayers have to have trust that not only are we doing the right thing from a housing standpoint but we're managing money in the correct way and this audit shows we're not there yet.
Zeeble: Mayor Leppert also wants additional members with financial expertise appointed to DHA's board. But that requires a legislative change and so it'll have to wait for the 2009 legislative session. Leppert does not believe anyone tried to steal the money.
Leppert: My perspective is it alludes to deficiencies in the financial controls in place. If I thought there was anything other than that, my reaction would be very different.
Zeeble: DHA board chair Betty Culbreath defended Lott.
Betty Culbreath, DHA board chair: I was shocked to see we had such old software and equipment. But at least when Ms. Lott got there she got things in motion.
Zeeble: Ann Lott says the DHA has the records the inspector general needs, and those should settle some of the issues hanging over the agency.
LOTT: I believe the 3.7 million can be accounted for and we'll be able to provide documentation necessary. I think we'll go back & forth on how much is owed to, but I'm confident it will not be 3.7 million dollars. I'm confident the mayor won't have a reason to look for someone else in 6 months. It'll be finished.
Zeeble: HUD says the DHA will send records in question There's a scheduled meeting between HUD and the Dallas Housing Authority this Thursday. Bill Zeeble KERA news. Bzeeble@Kera.Org