SPHA Announces Zero Findings for 2010 Audit

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is proud to announce that independent external auditors have reported zero findings for the agency’s fiscal year 2010 audit. This marks the fourth consecutive year that an audit of the housing authority has concluded with zero findings.

Conducted by Berman Hopkins Wright & LaHam CPAs and Associates, LLC, the audit reviewed the housing authority’s financial statements and compliance efforts for the year ending December 31, 2010.

Brian Nemeroff, CPA, reported to the SPHA Board of Commissioners during their regular board meeting on June 23 that SPHA received an unqualified opinion on the financial statements, which is the best audit opinion possible. Nemeroff said to the board, “It was a good audit, it was a clean audit.”

Chief Executive Officer Darrell Irions said, “The audit results are a testament to the great work of our staff, the astute and diligent financial oversight of our Board of Commissioners, and the benefit of our Economy of Scales initiative with the Clearwater Housing Authority’s Financial Management Center.”

Commissioner Delphinia Davis, the chair of the board’s Finance Committee, said, “As a public agency and a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-rated ‘High Performer,’ it is imperative that we are good stewards of taxpayer dollars, that we operate in a transparent manner, and that we comply with all government standards.”

SPHA’s income is derived from tenant rents, federal subsidies, grants, investments, and inter-agency contracts. As an independent quasi-governmental entity, SPHA does not receive operating income from the State of Florida or the city of St. Petersburg.

Since 1937, the SPHA has developed and overseen affordable housing programs in the city of St. Petersburg.

About St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA):

The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is a public body corporate that has a 70+ year history of developing and administering affordable housing programs within its jurisdictional area, which includes St. Petersburg and a 10-mile radius outside of the city. Consistently scored as a “High Performer” on HUD assessments, SPHA provides housing assistance to more than 3,400 families. The housing authority has received national awards and recognition for its innovative programs, including the Economies of Scale program, the Jordan Park HOPE VI redevelopment program, the Section 3 program and the Fraud Recovery program. More information about the authority’s programs and services can be found at www.stpeteha.org.