Affordable Housing Program Specialist

Brookfield Properties•Lincoln, NE

About The Position

The Affordable Housing Program Specialist will oversee and execute the affordable housing compliance process for a portfolio of residential properties. They will be responsible for analyzing, processing, and monitoring the activities for their assigned portfolio in regard to compliance, regulations, and requirements of various affordable housing programs including, ADU (affordable dwelling units) program, WDU (workforce dwelling units), Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and tax-exempt bond programs. They will be responsible for providing strategic guidance to the on-site staff to ensure program compliance.

Requirements

1 - 2 Years: Affordable Housing Program Certification Processing - Required
1 - 2 Years: Property Management - leasing, bookkeeping, operations - Required
Affordable Housing Training and Certification - Required

Nice To Haves

Associate Degree in Property Management or related discipline or equivalent experience preferred
Note: 3 - 4 Years of experience can offset preferred educational requirements for this position.

Responsibilities

Support the on-site associates at the properties in your portfolio. Provide on-going training and guidance. Work collaboratively with the property managers, leasing team and residents by providing strategic feedback regarding the affordable housing program. Ensure that communication with on-site teams is clear and consistent. If located in market, work at least once a month from each of the various properties within their assigned portfolio to meet with applicants and/or residents [requirement only applies if position is located in-market with the assigned portfolio]. If you work in market and depending on the needs of your portfolio, you may be required to work partially on-site to meet with applicants and/or residents.
Utilize Affordable Housing software to collect required documentation and determine eligibility for affordable housing applicants and current residents. Analyze household composition, income and assets to confirm accuracy of submissions and approve only households that are program and income eligible. Process and complete necessary lease related paperwork in partnership with onsite team to meet program and corporate requirements. Facilitate the scheduling of tours with property leasing associates and prospective residents. Follows guidelines for leasing affordable units Contacts multiple prospects from waiting list for each vacant unit. Interviews applicants and collects required documents to certify income and determine eligibility. Reviews documents, calculates income, obtains third party verifications as required by the program. Follows communication and notice requirements. Updates monthly compliance reports. Submits completed file for third party review, where required.
Ensure that all affordable housing program requirements and applicable HUD/agency regulations are monitored regularly and are in full compliance with appropriate regulatory agreements and agencies, including waiting list, certifications, re-certifications and other reporting requirements. Responsible for the accurate preparation and timely submission of various compliance certification reports to agencies. Maintains understanding of their assigned affordable programs and general landlord tenant laws and is able to explain and apply them where applicable. Stays current on program rules, rent and income limits, reporting requirements, etc. Participates in internal, agency and third party training. Maintains a working knowledge of company policies, applicable local, state and Federal laws and regulations, affordable housing programs, and other applicable policies and procedures.
Conducts all annual income recertifications and renewals in a timely manner. Interviews applicants and collects required documents to certify income and determine eligibility. Reviews documents, calculates income, obtains third party verifications. Follows communication and notice requirements. Updates monthly recertification trackers and monthly compliance reports. Audits resident affordable files to ensure that files contain authentic and proper signatures, dates, and data. Obtains timely recertification and renewal of affordable program households.
Conducts annual waiting list update to confirm continued interest and obtain current information Updates trackers and reports as required and in a timely manner. Ensures that all affordable documents and household certifications are properly organized at each community as well as in electronic storage locations according to industry standards and company guidelines. Trains community team members to ensure they are able to explain program requirements to prospects and residents. Develops and maintains positive relationships with applicants, residents, property management team members, investment officers, and program administrators. Participates in preparation of annual reports required by oversight agencies. Assists the Affordable Compliance Management team with special projects as needed and performs other duties as assigned. Suggests ways to improve efficiency with affordable program management. Participates in agency audits. Prepares responses to agency findings, makes necessary corrections in timely manner. Assists with guidance for Section 8 Housing Vouchers and other rent subsidies.
Assist with the processing of Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher and other subsidies to ensure accuracy and timely completion during move-in and for rent increases during renewal. Ensure the rent increase requests and renewals are submitted to agencies on time with the fair market rent and/or capped rent. Contact all residents with public assistance 90-120 days prior to lease expiration to ensure proper action is being taken by the resident when applicable (when they are responsible for providing renewal to subsidy provider). Assist teams with reviewing resident ledgers when delinquency exists, follow up with voucher provider when applicable. Review both resident and HA rent payments where there is a balance. Assisting properties with setting up ownership packets by acting as a liaison with the appropriate corporate department to obtain required documents, such as deeds, W9’s and other miscellaneous tax documents. Help facilitate and coordinate apartment inspections with Agency and on-site team.