HCV Housing Specialist

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF FORT MYERS FLORIDA•Fort Myers, FL

18d

About The Position

The Housing Specialist performs his/her duties and responsibilities under the direction of the Director and/or Manager of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. Individual hired is assigned a caseload of approximately 350–400 voucher households and works with considerable independence in carrying out the essential functions of the position. Supervisory Responsibilities: None Essential Functions: The essential functions include conducting eligibility determinations, income certifications, rent calculations, and collaboration with special program partners (e.g., VASH, EHV, Mainstream, TPV) for participation under the Housing Choice Voucher Programs; provides information and material to participants regarding their eligibility status and the necessary procedures to be followed; and performs clerical and administrative related duties, processes annual and interim recertifications of family income and continued eligibility. Performance Area #1 Determines initial and continued eligibility for potential housing program participation under the Voucher Program and processes documentation to substantiate eligibility following U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines to provide low-income families and individuals affordable housing of their choice. Compiles and maintains applicant files consisting of initial applications and supplemental data accumulated through verification procedures. Responsible for interviewing applicants, collecting required data, and completing applications for continuing eligibility housing assistance. Verifies information received from applicants such as income, assets, and allowances, to include social services, welfare (TANF/SNAP), childcare and medical expenses to determine continued eligibility for housing assistance or to make interim adjustments due to changes in financial circumstances of participants. Obtains criminal background from participants and applicants to ensure housing assistance is not provided to certain criminal offenders. Investigates reported changes in income, expenses, and participant status to determine if fraudulent information has been reported. Compute subsidy payments and/or total tenant payments (TTP) in accordance to established HUD formulas and information derived from income data obtained in interviews/investigations. Generate contracts, interim changes, re-certifications, form letters, and other client information and/or correspondence. Enters client data into the computer software program to document changes in participant status. Assists in the compilation and reporting of data for HUD and other reports. Research and interpret HUD regulations. Explains policies, procedures and disseminates other rental assistance information to landlords, tenants, and applicants. Other related duties as required, including assignments and departmental requests. Performance Area #2 Provides information and material to participants regarding their waiting list status, eligibility status and the necessary procedures to be followed in accordance with Voucher program rules and procedures to provide or deny low-income families and individuals affordable housing. Maintains the waiting list. Determines eligibility when an applicant is eligible for one of the housing choice voucher programs. Creates, distributes, and tracks portability documentation to/from other Housing Authorities. Distribute informational packages to applicants (if applicable). Explains the family’s requirements of the Voucher program to applicants. Provides applicants with the landlord packet of information (if applicable). Other related duties as required, including assignments and departmental requests. Performance Area #3 Organizes and conducts family briefings for all certified program applicants in the Voucher Program using various forms and documents, following departmental guidelines, and HUD regulations and guidelines to interpret and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to applicants and to assist in their search for affordable housing. Schedules eligible applicants for the Program briefing session. Schedule and Conduct re-certification appointments and interviews. (includes letter generation/ mail out) Distributes packages of information to certified participants relative to the Housing Choice Voucher program. Issues vouchers authorizing clients to rent based on Housing Subsidy Standards. Counsels’ applicants regarding the size unit, utility allowances, and rent amount allowable under HUD guidelines. Reviews the Voucher Program to new applicants and answers questions in the group or individual setting. Provides applicants with a landlord packet and a list of apartment and housing listing within the County. Other related duties as required including assignments and departmental requests. Performance Area #4 Performs clerical and administrative related duties using the computer, calculator, copier, telephone, fax, and printer. Follows the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and HACFM guidelines, policies, and procedures to ensure the overall objectives of the department and agency are met. Prepares new files for HCV participants relocating from one unit to another unit. As requested, assist in the preparation and analysis of the SEMAP, RIM Review responses, and corrective action plans. Refers program participants to services offered by other community-based organizations. Coordinates with landlords and participants to facilitate occupancy and resolve landlord tenant issues. Covers front desk in the absence of the front desk attendant. Purge’s participant files to maintain current data and import/convert data to merge files. Process and document participant files concerning possible terminations from the HCV program. Attend and participate in informal hearings. Consults with other housing districts regarding billing and case progress of portables residing in and out of the HACFM housing jurisdiction. Consults with landlords regarding repeated violations of the dwelling lease agreement and Voucher program. Perform Quality Control Functions (if applicable). Determine and process income summaries for repayment agreements. Other related duties as required including assignments and departmental requests.

Requirements

Knowledge of case management techniques to include maintaining separate, detailed records for each program recipient as needed to provide individualized consultation and assistance to program recipients.
Knowledge of community resources available to low-income families, elderly individuals, and persons having disabilities as needed to refer program participants to services performed by other community-based organizations.
Knowledge of Housing and Urban Development Housing Choice Voucher Program regulations and procedures to include program eligibility requirements and assistance calculations as needed to provide housing assistance.
Knowledge of the principles and procedures of financial records keeping and reporting as needed to maintain and balance program recipient assistance amounts.
Skill in interviewing and counseling to include how to establish a rapport with clients, maintaining control of the situation, asking probing questions, analyzing the information provided and motivating clients as needed to investigate and verify information given by program recipients.
Skill in oral communication to include the use of proficient English grammar, clarity, explaining complex concepts on the level of the listener, listening as needed to explain housing assistance procedures or request needed information.
Skill in reading at a level to comprehend HUD rules and regulations regarding the Housing Choice Voucher program and other forms and documents.
Skilled in the grammatically correct use of the English language both orally and in writing.
Skill at using office tools and equipment including the use of computer software and systems.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office basic programs.
Ability to counsel program participants to include providing support and guidance as needed to meet their goals of the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Ability to interpret and explain affordable housing assistance program laws, rules, and regulations as needed to provide information to program applicants, participants, and landlords.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of information of a sensitive or confidential nature to include income status and police record as needed to ensure that the duties and obligation are met regarding program participation.
Ability to maintain program records and files as needed to ensure participant information is filed in a clear, concise, and accurate manner.
Ability to mediate disputes and achieve resolutions to complex relationship problems and resolve questions concerning tenant/landlord obligations.
Ability to use an office computer to include keyboard layout, function keys, how to access and use business software as needed to create, save, retrieve, information, records, and report housing assistance information.
Ability to operate various office machines, such as telephone, facsimile machine, calculator, and typewriter as needed to communicate with clients, supervisor, other agencies, and to maintain records.
Ability to perform simple mathematical calculations with accuracy as needed to calculate and/or prorate applicant net income, rent, and utility allowances.
Ability to provide direction, consultation and coordination as needed to ensure the compliance of federal and state housing assistance laws, rules, and regulations.
Ability to recognize when information has been misunderstood as needed to identify the misunderstood information and provide clarity.
Ability to work independently with ability to weigh the consequences of actions of decisions, responding to emergencies, scheduling, and prioritizing work, motivating oneself, managing time effectively, prioritizing tasks and determining when tasks require the intervention of others while managing several housing assistance cases simultaneously and meeting deadlines.
Minimum Associate’s degree required
Two years’ experience in a professional environment interpreting and applying regulatory requirements and determining program eligibility.
Candidate must obtain HCV certification with a passing score of 80% or higher within 90 days of hire.
To perform this job successfully, the employee should have strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook).
Must have the ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.
Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license.
The ability to be insurable under the Agency’s automobile insurance plan at the standard rate may be required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Housing Choice Voucher experience preferred.
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

Conducting eligibility determinations
Income certifications
Rent calculations
Collaboration with special program partners (e.g., VASH, EHV, Mainstream, TPV) for participation under the Housing Choice Voucher Programs
Providing information and material to participants regarding their eligibility status and the necessary procedures to be followed
Performing clerical and administrative related duties
Processing annual and interim recertifications of family income and continued eligibility
Determining initial and continued eligibility for potential housing program participation under the Voucher Program and processes documentation to substantiate eligibility following U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines to provide low-income families and individuals affordable housing of their choice.
Compiling and maintaining applicant files consisting of initial applications and supplemental data accumulated through verification procedures.
Interviewing applicants, collecting required data, and completing applications for continuing eligibility housing assistance.
Verifying information received from applicants such as income, assets, and allowances, to include social services, welfare (TANF/SNAP), childcare and medical expenses to determine continued eligibility for housing assistance or to make interim adjustments due to changes in financial circumstances of participants.
Obtaining criminal background from participants and applicants to ensure housing assistance is not provided to certain criminal offenders.
Investigating reported changes in income, expenses, and participant status to determine if fraudulent information has been reported.
Computing subsidy payments and/or total tenant payments (TTP) in accordance to established HUD formulas and information derived from income data obtained in interviews/investigations.
Generating contracts, interim changes, re-certifications, form letters, and other client information and/or correspondence.
Entering client data into the computer software program to document changes in participant status.
Assisting in the compilation and reporting of data for HUD and other reports.
Researching and interpreting HUD regulations.
Explaining policies, procedures and disseminates other rental assistance information to landlords, tenants, and applicants.
Maintaining the waiting list.
Determining eligibility when an applicant is eligible for one of the housing choice voucher programs.
Creating, distributing, and tracking portability documentation to/from other Housing Authorities.
Distributing informational packages to applicants (if applicable).
Explaining the family’s requirements of the Voucher program to applicants.
Providing applicants with the landlord packet of information (if applicable).
Organizing and conducting family briefings for all certified program applicants in the Voucher Program using various forms and documents, following departmental guidelines, and HUD regulations and guidelines to interpret and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to applicants and to assist in their search for affordable housing.
Scheduling eligible applicants for the Program briefing session.
Scheduling and Conducting re-certification appointments and interviews. (includes letter generation/ mail out)
Distributing packages of information to certified participants relative to the Housing Choice Voucher program.
Issuing vouchers authorizing clients to rent based on Housing Subsidy Standards.
Counseling applicants regarding the size unit, utility allowances, and rent amount allowable under HUD guidelines.
Reviewing the Voucher Program to new applicants and answers questions in the group or individual setting.
Providing applicants with a landlord packet and a list of apartment and housing listing within the County.
Preparing new files for HCV participants relocating from one unit to another unit.
Assisting in the preparation and analysis of the SEMAP, RIM Review responses, and corrective action plans.
Referring program participants to services offered by other community-based organizations.
Coordinating with landlords and participants to facilitate occupancy and resolve landlord tenant issues.
Covering front desk in the absence of the front desk attendant.
Purging participant files to maintain current data and import/convert data to merge files.
Processing and documenting participant files concerning possible terminations from the HCV program.
Attending and participating in informal hearings.
Consulting with other housing districts regarding billing and case progress of portables residing in and out of the HACFM housing jurisdiction.
Consulting with landlords regarding repeated violations of the dwelling lease agreement and Voucher program.
Performing Quality Control Functions (if applicable).
Determining and processing income summaries for repayment agreements.