Housing Specialist - Mainstream/HCV

HOM, INC.•Phoenix, AZ

13d

About The Position

The Mainstream Housing Specialist operates the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Mainstream program, which serves up to 194 households. The role manages each participant’s full program participation, from wait-list selection and initial eligibility through admission, move-in, interim and annual certifications, unit transfers, and termination. The specialist also contributes to utilization analysis and HUD reporting through the PIC and VMS systems. This is a non-exempt position. The role requires working with applicants, participants, landlords, property owners, and community-based supportive services. It involves extensive documentation and data entry, use of housing and government databases, and handling sensitive personally identifiable and protected health information in accordance with HOM’s security and privacy policies. The position supports HOM’s mission of ending homelessness in Arizona through housing and is grounded in Housing First principles.

Requirements

At least five years of experience in the assisted housing industry, property management, homeless services, project management, or a similar setting.
High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Housing Specialist or Occupancy Specialist certification, or ability to obtain it within the first year of employment; Section 8 or Public Housing Occupancy industry certification is also specified as required or obtainable within one year of hire.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 applications, including SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, Planner, Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Knowledge of the Arizona Residential Landlord & Tenant Act.
Ability to work closely and consistently with people experiencing homelessness and/or people with disabilities.
Strong organizational skills and aptitude for project management and multitasking across concurrent projects.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work well with a wide range of personalities.
Ownership of work processes and outcomes; ability to think strategically and tactically, manage change as part of a team, and adapt to unexpected challenges.
Understanding of and commitment to Housing First principles in ending homelessness.
Current Arizona driver’s license and current automobile insurance.
Ability and willingness to handle sensitive PII and PHI in compliance with HOM Security and Privacy Policies and related procedures.
Demonstrate the four focus areas of HOM Inc.’s Competency Model: Emotional Intelligence, Expertise, Ethics, and Excellence.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s and/or bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

Maintain, document, and update the Mainstream HCV program wait list.
Monitor program utilization and coordinate with CPO to keep programs fully leased.
Enter data into the HUD VMS system.
Select households from the wait list according to allocation requirements, the Administrative Plan, and applicable rules and regulations.
Coordinate, schedule, prepare, and conduct orientations for new participants.
Obtain and evaluate written verification of participant income, assets, expenses, and eligibility factors under program guidelines and regulations.
Issue and manage vouchers, including extensions and terminations.
Assist applicants and participants with dwelling-unit searches using Padmission.
Process tenancy approval requests and determine unit gross-rent eligibility.
Review rent reasonableness.
Calculate tenant rent and rental assistance payments.
Negotiate contract rent and lease terms.
Coordinate initial Housing Quality Standards inspections.
Prepare housing assistance payment contracts.
Conduct interim and annual recertifications.
Coordinate and process participant unit transfers.
Advocate for program participants in the community and work closely with program-specific supportive services.
Process participant program terminations when necessary.
Create and maintain accurate, timely participant-file documentation.
Enter and maintain housing software data for participants, dwelling units, landlords, and other program-related information.
Access participant data in computer databases, including HUD EIV, Arizona Department of Economic Security AZTECS and GUIDE, and tenant-screening websites, while adhering to confidentiality requirements.
Assist with and implement PIC reporting to HUD through the software provider.
Perform other duties as needed or assigned.