Beleaguered for years by financial mismanagement, disorganization and neglect, the Wareham Housing Authority has responded to a scathing state audit that outlined those issues from 2012 to 2014.

The audit’s results were not a surprise for Wareham Housing Authority Chair Bob Powilatis, who requested the state’s help soon after he was elected to the authority in April 2013. The Housing Authority’s primary role is to operate the Agawam Village and Redwood Park housing complexes for Wareham senior citizens and disabled adults.

“I saw this place was in a state of disarray,” said Powilatis. “It was dysfunctional.”

That year was a tumultuous one for the authority as several board members resigned and previous Executive Director Pam Sequeira abruptly announced her retirement.

According to Powilatis, several issues raised red flags for him, including a massive backlog of rent applications, the fact that units hadn’t been inspected for safety since 2007 and shoddy accounting.

For approximately eight months, a team of state auditors combed through Housing Authority practices and found the following issues that were detailed in a preliminary audit report. The official report is expected to be released within the next few months.

The state’s findings include: inadequate controls over accounts receivable that resulted in some tenants being over charged by $15,000; the former executive director’s compensation totaling $220,516 was not properly documented; improper use of credit cards and failure to hold open meetings.

In a five-page response to the state, the authority addressed those findings saying progress had been made on several fronts.

“The new management and Board have addressed all of the issues and many others pertaining to the prior administration. We found many holes in the dam, and addressed them all,” the report read.

Powilatis credited Executive Director Jacqueline Hickey, who took over or Sequeira, for helping to turn the authority’s practices around.

“She has got this place running very well,” said Powilatis. “The state has more confidence in what we’re doing.”

Looking ahead, he noted that renovations to several of the authority’s buildings are ongoing and will include new siding, paint jobs and plumbing.

Powilatis said he expects the authority to continue on its current path of making sure tenants are well served.

“We have good governance now,” said Powilatis. “That’s what these people deserve: safe affordable housing.”