Housing Specialist

Reports To: HCV Manager
Department: HCV

Summary: The Housing Specialist is responsible for assisting in the administration and case management of subsidized housing programs. The Housing Specialist applies HUD and PHA-established policies and procedures to produce on-time and accurate income, rent and subsidy calculations, ensuring all State and Federal mandated privacy regulations are met when dealing with clients and their information.

The Housing Specialist sets and meets goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) focused on subsidized housing program effectiveness, occupancy rate, quality and compliance requirements, superior customer service and program documentation. Timeliness, responsiveness and accuracy are critical to meeting subsidized housing program goals.
Essential Job Duties are performed with strict adherence to Maiker standards, policies, and procedures, and to local, State and Federal laws and regulations. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Subsidized Housing Program

• Determine initial resident eligibility within established time frames
• Conduct annual and interim re-certifications
• Conduct one-on-one and group program information sessions
• Negotiate leases and dispense program information to inquiring owners and managers
• Respond to telephone inquiries on behalf of a department in a timely fashion
• Inspect units for Housing Quality standards
• Work closely with owners of private property, management, leasing agents and residents to maintain minimum of 98% project lease up
• Provide ongoing case management, public assistance counseling, and referral services to applicants and participants
• Maintain a comprehensive filing system and computerized data base for all program participants, ensuring all documents, letters, and reports are updated and sent out on time
• Administer specialized programs e.g., Portability, Wait List/Lottery, HCV, FUP, PBV, VASH, FYI and Mainstream
• Responsible for all contact and data entry
• Work closely with Maiker property staff to ensure compliance with Project Based Voucher program rules and regulations, and to ensure 100% occupancy

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required, and 1-2 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of non-program federal requirements that affect income and rent determinations e.g., fair housing and equal opportunity, fraud and program abuse, employment practices
• Knowledge of PHA-established policies and procedures
• Knowledge of HUD-established performance standards (for HCV, SEMAP indicators) and PHA-established performance standards as they relate to income and rent determinations
• Computer literacy, including personal computing, accuracy in data entry, and knowledge of program-related software

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills, including ability to write reports and business correspondence
• Demonstrates excellent customer service skills
• Translates product features to benefits, understands and responds to member’s needs, applies market knowledge
• Knowledge of program requirements in HUD regulations, handbook, notices, forms, and guides
• Facilitates small group meetings and instructs in a 1:1 setting
• Effectively presents information and responds to questions from clients and the public
• Demonstrates exceptional teamwork
• Excellent organizing and planning skills with ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
• Detailed, accurate, and consistently meets deadlines
• Allocates time and attention to what is most important to achieve key goals and objectives
• Strong mathematical skills: add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, decimals, percentages, and ratios
• Reads, comprehends, interprets, and implements rules, regulations, and procedures
• Reads and interprets safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and governmental regulations
• Defines problems, collects data, establishes facts, draws valid conclusions, assesses complex issues
• Flexible and open to new ideas and responsibilities, handles pressure, adjusts to changing needs
• Demonstrates humility, calmness and compassion in working with people in crisis and the public
• Is non-judgmental of people, advocates fiercely for the needs of Maiker members

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Regular computer uses throughout the day, ability to sit for lengthy periods of time
• Occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch
• Lift/push/pull/carry various objects of 10-25 lbs. frequently and 25-40 lbs. occasionally
• Stand and walk on hard surfaces, and go up and down stairs
• Reach to shoulder level and above, and bend at the hips and knees
• Ability to talk and hear
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate