The Department of Housing and Urban Development revealed that there were over $5 billion in “potential payment errors” made with rental assistance during the last fiscal year of the Biden administration.
Specifically, the department’s annual financial report found possible “improper payments,” as well as “process gaps” and “material weaknesses” for Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, a voucher program, and Project-Based Rental Assistance programs in fiscal year 2024.
“A massive abuse of taxpayer dollars not only occurred under President Biden’s watch, but was effectively incentivized by his administration’s failure to implement strong financial controls resulting in billions’ worth of potential improper payments,” HUD Secretary Scott Turner said in a statement on Tuesday.
“HUD will continue investigating the shocking results and will take appropriate action to hold bad actors accountable. Additionally, the Department is advancing efforts made under President Trump’s first administration to strengthen program integrity and ensure taxpayer-funded assistance serves the vulnerable communities it was intended for,” Turner continued.
The report also noted $77 million in potential payment errors made for tenants who have died, totaling 29,715 people, and $150.3 million in possible erroneous payments made for those with a Social Security number “that does not meet SSA rules” – just under 9,500 people.
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The report also highlighted payments doled out to over 165,000 people for “excessively high rents,” which was an estimated $287.6 million. HUD said that they are now working toward finding methods to keep a close eye on funding for Public Housing Authorities and those who receive grants from the federal government, according to a press release.
Since President Donald Trump retook office, there have been multiple major changes at HUD, including an audit on public housing authorities nationwide to ensure that illegal immigrants are not using taxpayer-funded resources.
“No longer will illegal aliens be able to leave citizenship boxes blank or take advantage of HUD-funded housing, riding the coattails of hardworking American citizens,” Turner stated at the time, Fox News reported.
HUD and the Department of Homeland Security announced a Memorandum of Understanding in March to provide information as it relates to illegal immigrants in the public housing system.
“The Biden Administration prioritized illegal aliens over our own citizens, including by giving illegal aliens taxpayer-funded housing at the expense of Americans. Not anymore. The entire government will work together to identify abuse and exploitation of public benefits and make sure those in this country illegally are not receiving federal benefits or other financial incentives to stay illegally. If you are an illegal immigrant, you should leave now. The gravy train is over,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated, according to a press release at the time.
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