Housing Retention Counselor

COMMUNITY HOUSING INNOVATIONS INC•Fishkill, NY

1d•$28 - $58,000

About The Position

Community Housing Innovations (CHI) is a not-for-profit housing and human services organization that aims to support social and economic independence. Our vision is to end generational poverty and foster upward mobility by ensuring that all families and individuals live in quality housing, have a home of their own, and a job to support them. We believe quality, affordable housing is the foundation for prosperity, personal fulfillment, and success. The Housing Retention Counselor provides counseling, education, and services to clients at risk of foreclosure or eviction in order to prevent homelessness. The counselor will also be responsible for outreach efforts, including representing CHI at industry events and professional organizations, building relationships, and publicizing the agency’s services to attract new clients. Additionally, this position involves compliance reporting and data management in accordance with New York State and HUD requirements.

Requirements

Three years of housing counseling, banking and/or financial services experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
Bachelor’s degree with one year banking experience preferred.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret financial reports & common legal documents
Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies or members of the business community
Ability to calculate figures such as income, interest, commissions and percentages
Ability to work with minimal supervision in fast-paced, multi-task and multi-cultural work environment
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
Must have strong verbal, typing and writing skills as well as legible handwriting
Must have advanced experience with Microsoft Office software, be able to use e-mail and navigate the internet as well as web-based databases
Availability during evenings and weekends is required.
Ability to travel offsite approximately 30% of the time is required.
Personal transportation is required for travel within the designated market area.

Responsibilities

Manage the intake of eviction prevention applications, organizing files, and maintaining a waitlist.
Review applications to assess the eligibility of applicants for CHI’s eviction prevention assistance.
Conduct thorough eligibility and affordability analysis, including credit report review, income documentation, monthly household budget review, verification of employment, and other relevant documentation.
Perform outreach within the community to promote eviction prevention programs.
Track client interactions and maintain weekly reports using Excel.
Follow up with clients to confirm whether grant funding was awarded and assist with troubleshooting as needed.
Participate in bi-weekly consortium meetings to review the progress of the program.
Stay informed about community resources and other eviction prevention programs.
Schedule and facilitate workshops focused on financial literacy topics, such as credit management and budgeting.
Become a HUD-Certified Housing Counselor within the first six months of employment.
Complete required Eviction Prevention Certification Training.
Manage the intake of foreclosure prevention applications, organizing files, and maintaining a waitlist.
Provide counseling to clients, reviewing financial and legal documents to educate them on their options related to homeownership, mortgage status, foreclosure, and home sales.
Assist clients in navigating deed in lieu of foreclosure processes, short sales, and other foreclosure resolutions.
Regularly attend foreclosure court sessions, offering assistance to both new clients and existing clients attending foreclosure conferences.
Work with lenders or servicers to secure mortgage modifications and collaborate with law firms involved in foreclosure proceedings.
Facilitate community outreach initiatives focused on foreclosure prevention.
Organize and lead Financial Literacy Presentations.
Track deadlines for applications, final reports, and other important dates, maintaining an up-to-date spreadsheet.
Collaborate with participating lenders and ensure timely submission of necessary reports.
Ensure compliance with HOPP yearly bi-monthly data reports, interim reports, and final reports for the foreclosure prevention program.
Maintain an updated record of workshops, outreach events, and training sessions held throughout the year.
Assist in keeping the website up to date and identify marketing opportunities for the program.
Complete Foreclosure Prevention & Homeownership Certification Training.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Demonstrates respect and courtesy to others, cooperates with team members, and values the opinions and concerns of clients, staff, and the general public.
Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication, both internally and externally.
Consistently maintains the confidentiality of client and agency information.
Proposes new ideas and seeks better methods to improve processes.
Demonstrates sound judgment, gathers relevant information, and takes appropriate action when solving problems.
Willing to accept new tasks and adapt to changes in work schedules and assignments to meet the needs of the agency.
Uses agency resources efficiently, minimizes waste, and seeks cost-effective solutions.
Demonstrates a solid understanding of the principles, methods, and processes necessary to perform the role effectively.
Meets productivity standards, performs tasks in a timely manner, and produces high-quality work.
Demonstrates a desire for career growth and seeks to improve skills relevant to the role.
Actively listens to feedback and incorporates suggestions for improvement into daily work.
Submits reports accurately and on time, as required by funding agencies or CHI.
Observes safe working conditions and practices and reports any unsafe conditions.
Contributes positively to group efforts, assisting colleagues as necessary.