Housing Compliance Specialist

Volunteers of America National Services (VOANS) • Alexandria, VA

1d • $63,000 - $78,000 • Remote

About The Position

VOANS is seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Housing Compliance Specialist to support the regulatory compliance and financial stability of our affordable housing portfolio. This professional will monitor compliance with programs including HUD (Section 8/202/811), LIHTC, Tax-Exempt Bonds, HOME, CDBG, (N)HTF, CMF, FDIC, and VOANS policies. The Housing Compliance Specialist will monitor and provide administrative support ensuring regulatory compliance, financial success and stability of the properties owned by VOANS. Monitor the administration of property compliance with affordable housing programs, including, but not limited to HUD (Section 8/202/811), LIHTC, Tax Exempt Bond, HOME, CDBG, (N)HTF, CMF, FDIC, and VOANS policies. Conduct due diligence reviews of project compliance activities such as project configuration/setup, tenant certifications, audit and inspection responses, and reporting to compliance monitoring agencies and partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business or a minimum of five (5) years’ experience operating with HUD Multifamily Housing and LIHTC programs. Must have prior experience with both programs.
• Knowledge and understanding of basic multifamily property management concepts and best practices, including landlord-tenant regulation.
• HCCP, C3P, or a similar professional certification for LIHTC.
• COS, CPO, or a similar professional certification for HUD Multifamily programs. Internal applicants may obtain the certification within their first year of employment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to identify complex compliance matters and clearly communicate recommendations for resolution verbally and in writing.
• Must be detail-oriented and able to manage multiple deadlines.
• Acts with the utmost integrity on all professional matters.
• Ability to work independently in addition to collaborating within a team.
• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing, including ability to provide technical assistance on complex compliance matters in a simple and straightforward manner.

Nice To Haves

• Experience or familiarity with other affordable housing programs within the VOANS portfolio (Tax Exempt Bond, HOME, CDBG, (N)HTF, USDA Rural Development Section 515, CMF, FDIC) is preferred.
• FHC or similar professional certification for Fair Housing preferred. The certification must be obtained within two years of employment if not held at the time of hiring.
• Experience with RealPage OneSite property management software is preferred.
• Other Certificates/Certifications (C3P/SCHM/COS/BOS etc.)
• Veterans Program and or/NMTC experience a plus.
• Comfort with property management software such as Onesite/RealPage, and AppFolio.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary owner contact with compliance monitoring agencies related to required reporting, audits and inspections.
• Collaborate with Management Agents to prepare for audits and inspections requested by monitoring agencies, attend audits and inspections when needed, and ensure that all deficiencies found are promptly and accurately addressed by the required deadline.
• Assist the VP of Housing Compliance with the transition of projects from the development pipeline to operations, and track the compliance progress and performance of projects throughout the initial lease-up period and up to the project’s conversion to permanent financing.
• Activities shall include, but are not limited to creating and updating a transition plan, tracking the completion of first-year files, ensuring copies of first-year files are provided to VOANS and are stored properly on-site, and providing information to Development for their applications for IRS Form 8609 from state housing finance agencies.
• Attend compliance trainings required by monitoring agencies, and participate in any trainings provided by, or attended by, state housing finance agencies to stay updated on their compliance policies and procedures.
• Monitor and provide administrative support for the maintenance of monitoring agencies’ online compliance systems, such as HUD Secure Systems, Rural Development MINC system, State Agency LIHTC data systems, and Bond reporting systems. Monitoring would include comparing system data to information from the Management Agent’s Property Management software for accuracy and discrepancy resolution.
• Coordinating access to these systems when action from the owner is required.
• Assist the VP of Housing Compliance in monitoring the activity and performance of compliance file reviews conducted by VOANS staff, and serve as a liaison between management agents and third-party compliance consultants when they are used to conduct file reviews on behalf of the management agent.
• Ensure management agents utilize the current income limits, utility allowances, and required certification forms by notifying them of pending changes and documenting their implementation.
• Perform regular reviews of waiting lists for compliance with resident selection criteria and fair housing guidelines.
• Conduct periodic site visits to review EIV binders, property compliance documents, sample tenant files, and inspect the property to ensure consistency and continual readiness for audits and inspections.
• Conduct reviews of Affordable Fair Housing Marketing Plans, Tenant Selection Plans, or any other required policies or procedures for accuracy and updates.
• Conduct compliance training as needed to ensure quality and consistency of operations as well as prompt communication of any changes requiring implementation.
• Assist with any changes in management agents.
• Communicate changes to regulations and policies of affordable housing programs and/or compliance monitoring agencies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Employee Discount Program (car rental, wireless carriers, travel, uniforms, etc.)
• Career scholarships
• Quality training, continuing career education and leadership programs
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Holiday & Sick Days)
• NetSpend – Get paid early: Tap into 50% of your earnings before payday.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level