Housing Specialist, Portability

Inlivian•Charlotte, NC

32d

About The Position

Responsible for determining continued eligibility for Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) housing assistance and for performing recertification, tenant portability/transfer briefings/activities, maintaining tenant files for portability caseload, performing rent calculations, and ensuring program activities are in compliance with applicable regulations and that all data is properly recorded in participant files according to HUD regulations and CHA’s Administrative Plan. The duties listed below illustrate the various types of work that may be performed.

Requirements

High School diploma or possession of a certificate of equivalence of High School Achievement (GED) and one (1) year of relevant experience, plus at least three (3) years’ experience in the housing or social services field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to fulfill essential position functions.
Thorough knowledge of pertinent HUD regulations as they pertain to the position and thorough knowledge of Authority policies and procedures.
Thorough knowledge of accepted consultation and interviewing techniques.
Ability to meet and deal tactfully and courteously with the public.
Ability to understand and follow moderately complex written and oral instructions, communicate and relate to persons of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Ability to make routine decisions in accordance with established administrative rules, regulations and policies, to explain the re-examination process to tenants in an objective and impartial manner.
Skilled in operating computer equipment, applicable software packages, and general office machines.
Knowledge of mathematics sufficient to perform calculation required for rent adjustments.
Ability to prepare clear, concise reports and make appropriate recommendations within scope of responsibility.
Ability to use basic office equipment such as telephone, fax, copier, and computer.
Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, verbally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective and courteous working relationships with other employees, tenants, and community agencies and other entities that provide services and secure the cooperation of others.
Ability to deal effectively with situations requiring tact and diplomacy
Skilled in communicating on the level of the listener, recognizing when information has been misunderstood, and determining how to remedy the misunderstanding as needed to explain policies and procedures and to provide and exchange information to persons with varying levels of education, cultural backgrounds, and ages.
Must possess a valid State of North Carolina or South Carolina driver’s license and regularly participate in continuous improvement and education.
Must work with the highest degree of confidentiality

Responsibilities

Responds courteously to calls, written requests, and e-mails from participants, service providers, and other authorized agencies and representatives to answer questions, and provide information and assistance as appropriate regarding the HCVP program and portability process.
Interviews clients/portability voucher holders, coordinates background information checks of tenants to be recertified with appropriate HCVP department personnel. Verifies receipt of information from agencies or other sources as required. Performs final eligibility verifications.
Accesses HUD Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) System for reported/unreported income; processes and submits HUD forms 52665 ad 50058 to initial PHA’s timely to ensure HUD compliance.
Counsels participants and landlords on voucher program, briefing them on rights, responsibilities and program obligations.
Keeps landlords and participants informed of status of application, selection, and rejection in a timely manner. Notifies applicants in writing of eligibility determination in accordance with HUD regulations and Authority policy.
Maintains participant files and processes files in accordance with Authority procedures and HUD regulations, including completing and securing all files on a daily basis. Prepares and forwards to storage all files of former participants, including a termination notice and a closed-out history sheet.
Processes all actions regarding program participants, including rent adjustments, transfers, move-ins, and move-outs. Enters pertinent organized information into appropriate Authority computer system, including input and update of information pertaining to certification, re-certification inspections, rent reasonableness, and related reports. Processes a calculated work sheet with rent determinations.
Works with outside agencies to implement the transition of residents under the Portability Housing Choice Voucher program. Collects required information and accurately completes appropriate forms.
Sets up portability billing in the system to ensure payment of initial PHA. Processes incoming billing from other PHA to ensure that the correct rent is being paid on behalf of the tenant. Makes appropriate changes in system information in a timely and accurate manner.
Ensures compliance with HUD and Authority regulation lease terms on behalf of participants and landlords and processes rent reasonableness form.
Prepares HAP Contracts and Leases, and contacts landlords and participants to ensure their execution in accordance with program requirements.
May provide limited mediation services between landlords and program participants to avoid evictions or unnecessary displacement.
Recalculates all rent changes as amended in the HAP Contracts and Leases prior to transmission of documents to landlord and notifies residents of changes.
Schedules and conducts transfer interviews with participants as assigned following proper verification methods/processing for each recertification in accordance with HUD and CHA policies and procedures.
Provides technical assistance to landlords and program participants on Fair Housing requirements.
Ensures privacy and maintains security of confidential materials.
Accountable for consistent adherence to strong Authority standards regarding the ethical, responsible, and appropriate use, care, and safeguarding of Authority materials, supplies, resources, and other assets.
The following Certifications must be obtained within eighteen (18) months of employment: Housing Choice Voucher Specialist, Occupancy Specialist, Rent Calculation, Enterprise Income Verification System (EIV) and Fair Housing.
Performs other duties as assigned.