AH Associate

Retirement Housing Foundation•Long Beach, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Affordable Housing Associate (Mentor Program) is an entry-level, training-focused position designed for individuals who want to begin a career in the affordable housing industry. Associates participate in a structured mentorship program emphasizing hands-on experience in Occupancy and Compliance. This program integrates on-the-job learning with guided mentorship, E-learning modules from the RHF Training Menu, and department rotations that provide foundational knowledge of affordable housing operations, compliance standards, and resident service excellence.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Demonstrated interest in property management, affordable housing, or community services.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.
Ability to follow procedures and learn within a structured, mentor-led environment.
Basic computer literacy; ability to use email, Microsoft Office Word, and Excel.
Superior attention to detail and organizational discipline.
Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
Ability to learn and apply federal, state, and local housing regulations (e.g., HUD Handbook 4350.3, Tax Credit Compliance).
Willingness to work with a diverse population of residents and team members.
Adaptability to manage changing priorities and multiple assignments.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and Spanish (helpful but not required).
Previous experience in office administration, customer service, or social services.

Responsibilities

Assist with the intake, eligibility verification, and maintenance of applicant waitlists.
Learn key principles of LIHTC and HUD compliance through supervised tasks and structured E-learning (e.g., Getting Started: Introduction to LIHTC).
Help organize and maintain resident files to meet regulatory and company standards.
Observe and support leasing and compliance processes, including interviews, certifications, and audits.
Aid in preparing compliance documentation for review by funding agencies.
Attend weekly mentorship sessions and progress reviews with program supervisors.
Uphold RHF’s values, ethical standards, and service philosophy.
Complete assigned HR, safety, and workplace culture modules (e.g., Respect in the Workplace, Drug-Free Workplace).
Engage in cross-training with staff from property management, accounting, and resident services departments.
Learn and assist in verifying applicant income, assets, and household composition for program eligibility.
Support processing of annual and interim recertifications to ensure compliance with HUD/LIHTC guidelines.
Review applications, conduct preliminary checks, and maintain accurate waitlists.
Ensure documentation is well-organized and audit ready.
Provide general information to residents on leasing, renewals, and compliance procedures.
Assist with move-in/move-out inspections, lease renewals, and documentation updates.
Complete assigned classroom and E-learning coursework, including introductory LIHTC, Fair Housing, and Occupancy Specialist training.
Pursue at least one certification track (e.g., Tax Credit Specialist or Certified Occupancy Specialist) within 12–24 months of hire under mentor supervision.