HARRISBURG, Pa. - An investigation by the state auditor general revealed that agencies serving the homeless had to wait up to 15 months for federal funding. That's just one of several findings announced in a 75-page audit of the Department of Community and Economic Development. Auditor General Eugene DePasquale launched the performance audit back in April .
The DCED receives about $20 million each year from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for two programs that target homelessness and prevention. DePasquale says the DCED failed to immediately distribute that money, which caused counties to miss out on subsidies that could have been used to help the homeless.
"It's real easy to think 'oh, what's the big deal?'" DePasquale said. "Well, for those families that end up... some of them may have ended up sleeping under a bridge, or trying to find some family member to take them in, it's a big deal. "
The DCED's poor performance also caught the attention of the HUD which conducted its own review of the agency in 2012 and 2014. In response, officials in the DCED started taking corrective actions.
To see the full audit, click here.