Housing Specialist, FSS

Houston Housing Authority•Houston, TX

14d

About The Position

The Housing Specialist performs activities supporting Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) operations, including determining and documenting participant eligibility, income, rent, and contractual relationships with owners. The role manages a caseload while meeting established quality and productivity standards, and may conduct admissions, recertifications, interim adjustments, rent increases, and resolve participant and landlord issues. The position reports to the Team Leader. Work assignments and instructions are provided by the Assistant Administrator; the employee works independently, with no supervisory responsibilities. The role handles applicant admissions and eligibility determinations, verifies family composition, income, deductions, and other program information, calculates tenant payments, determines voucher size, and issues and explains vouchers. It also manages annual recertifications, interim adjustments, inspections, owner rent-increase requests, utility allowances, participant files, and required HUD forms. The employee communicates with applicants, participants, landlords, and coworkers; investigates complaints; and submits performance reports. The work requires detailed knowledge of HUD requirements and HCVP procedures, accurate and timely case processing, sound judgment, and professional handling of potentially difficult interactions between tenants and landlords. Work is principally sedentary in an adequately cooled, heated, lighted, and ventilated office environment, with occasional physical exertion and eyestrain from computer and office-equipment use.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Two years of college coursework.
Three years of experience in public housing, the Housing Choice Voucher Program, case management, apartment management, an HCVP Call Center, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and higher education; one year of relevant experience is equivalent to one year of relevant higher education and vice versa.
Achieve a minimum score of 80% on the Rent Calculation Certification exam.
Obtain Housing Choice Voucher Program Specialist Certification.
Achieve and maintain at least 80% accuracy on random-sample file reviews for HAP compliance and determination of adjusted income.
Be bondable.
Have a valid Texas driver’s license or obtain one within the first 30 days of employment.
Be eligible for coverage under Houston Housing Authority fleet auto insurance.
Knowledge of Housing Choice Voucher Program policies and applicable federal, state, and local housing laws, rules, and regulations, as well as Houston Housing Authority policies.
Knowledge of general office practices, business English, and basic mathematics.
Knowledge of HUD Housing Quality Standards, inspection procedures, and Houston Housing Authority HCV policies and procedures.
Ability to communicate interpersonally and work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Ability to complete complex, detailed tasks in a timely manner and plan and prioritize duties.
Ability to work independently and exercise judgment while following established procedures and written guidelines.
Ability to handle difficult interpersonal situations involving participants and landlords with skill, tact, and professionalism.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Knowledge of spoken and written Spanish.

Responsibilities

Conduct eligibility interviews with applicants and port-in families, including at a client’s home or an offsite location when needed.
Conduct criminal-history checks for adult members of applicant families and determine eligibility for applicants from the waiting list, special admissions, and port-ins.
Document family composition, citizenship or eligible immigrant status, Social Security numbers, and other information required by HUD.
Determine annual income, obtain income and deduction verifications, calculate adjusted income and total tenant payment, and determine voucher size under applicable rules and the Administrative Plan.
Issue vouchers and brief voucher holders, including emphasizing housing opportunities outside areas of minority and low-income concentration.
Create complete participant files and process tenancy-approval requests, HAP contracts, tenancy addenda, inspection reports, rent-reasonableness determinations, and leases; review documents and authorize HAP payments when appropriate.
Enter correct information and forward accurate, timely HUD Form 50058 submissions to the Assistant Administrator.
Request annual and special inspections and conduct annual recertification interviews so notices and processing meet program deadlines.
Determine whether families qualify for a different unit or voucher size, issue updated vouchers when appropriate, and conduct full recertifications when required after a move.
Process interim adjustments following reported changes in income or family circumstances, documenting information using EIV or other available verification.
Apply the Administrative Plan when participants request to add family members for reasons other than birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody of children.
Process owner rent-increase requests, obtain rent-reasonableness determinations, forward packages for budget review, and notify owners and Finance of approved increases within the required timeframe.
Ensure utility allowances used in tenant-rent calculations are accurate for the unit and utilities paid directly by the tenant.
Process assigned client files within prescribed timeframes and assist with caseload coverage when coworkers are absent or workloads change.
Investigate and resolve participant and landlord complaints while minimizing supervisor involvement where possible.
Communicate professionally with applicants, participants, landlords, owners, and coworkers; answer questions about rents, damage claims, inspections, leases, contracts, program rules, and agency procedures.
Return participant and landlord calls within one workday and place incoming mail, fax, or email in the appropriate participant file within two workdays.
Participate in revising departmental policies and procedures, submit monthly performance reports, and perform other assigned duties.