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HUD audit uncovers improper management, payments at Englewood Apartments

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development audited a local, troubled apartment complex and gave it a "below average" rating, according to a release sent out Friday.

The Englewood Apartments are located at 5432 NW Waukomis Dr. in the Northland.

41 Action News has followed sanitation and safety issues with the complex since July of 2018.

In 2019, the complex was hit with 115 health code violations for items including sewage backup, mold and cockroaches. A re-inspection showed the complex was making progress with repairs, but some units were still uninhabitable as of September 2019.

But it turns out it's not just the units that aren't living up to regulations.

HUD completed an audit based on a request from the regional office to assess whether the ownership and staff properly managed their Project-Based Section 8 Rental Assistance program.

One item HUD discovered was that tenant files were not compliant. Englewood Apartments did not comply with eligibility and recertification requirements for tenants. They failed to inspect units, conduct income reviews or properly calculate incomes for tenants.

The complex was also missing government documents, like birth certificates and Social Security cards, for tenants.

Other documentation was also askew, including collecting payment for an unidentified tenant, processing paperwork with a deceased tenant's signature and failure to maintain other necessary documents.

HUD believes the owner of the complex collected more than $377,000 in ineligible housing assistance payments and $24,295 in unsupported housing assistance payments.

Auditors recommended HUD require the complex to repay the housing assistance payments and correct their certification process for tenants.

Further administrative action against the owner could be taken as well.