HUD Certified Housing Counselor

Affordable Housing Alliance Inc•Eatontown, NJ

8h•$55,000 - $60,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Founded in 1991 to address the overwhelming need for affordable housing in Monmouth County, the Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA) has grown from a small $25,000 grant into a multi million dollar annual operation and powerhouse non-profit. In our decades of service, we've developed over 600 affordable housing units with a strong pipeline fueling future growth. Our passionate team of difference-makers guides residents through every step of the housing journey - from homelessness prevention and rental assistance, to homebuyer education and foreclosure counseling. At the AHA, we believe that safe, decent and affordable housing is a fundamental human right. Everyone deserves to feel secure, comfortable and supported in the place they call home. As a catalyst for change in our community, the AHA strives to uphold this right by providing comprehensive housing services and solutions for all who need it most.

Requirements

Current HUD Housing Counselor Certification required at time of hire.
Minimum of two years of housing counseling experience with a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, including meaningful experience in foreclosure prevention and mortgage default/delinquency counseling.
Working knowledge of the New Jersey foreclosure process, loss mitigation options, and applicable HUD housing counseling requirements.
Ability to effectively communicate and advocate with mortgage servicers, lenders, and other parties involved in resolving client housing issues.
Strong case management and documentation skills, including experience using client management systems or databases.
Understanding of and ability to adhere to National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and similar workplace technology.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in finance, human services, social work, education, or a related field preferred, but not required.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills preferred.
HECM certification preferred; candidates who do not currently hold the certification must be willing to obtain it.
Client-centered and compassionate, able to build trust with people facing stressful or complex housing and financial circumstances while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
A clear and patient communicator, able to explain complicated housing, mortgage, and financial information in a way clients can understand and act on.
Organized and accountable, with strong follow-through and the ability to manage multiple active cases, deadlines, and documentation requirements.
A thoughtful problem-solver and advocate, able to evaluate options, identify resources, and work persistently with clients and outside partners toward realistic solutions.
Collaborative and resourceful, comfortable working across AHA programs and with community partners to connect clients with additional support.
Adaptable and committed to learning, able to keep pace with changing program requirements, regulations, resources, and industry practices.
Have lived experience with homelessness or housing insecurity, with insight into both the barriers and opportunities that come from these circumstances.
Demonstrate a passion for using personal experience to support others and advocate for meaningful change.
Offer a firsthand understanding of systemic challenges connected to poverty and economic insecurity.

Responsibilities

Provide confidential, one-on-one housing counseling in accordance with HUD requirements and National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling.
Counsel clients across AHA’s housing stability programs, including foreclosure prevention, pre-purchase/homebuyer, rental, and financial counseling, based on client and program needs.
Assess each client’s housing and financial circumstances, including income, expenses, credit, debt, affordability, and barriers to stability, and develop individualized action plans with realistic and sustainable goals.
Educate clients about their rights, available options, program requirements, risks, and responsibilities so they can make informed housing and financial decisions.
Connect clients with appropriate AHA programs and community resources when additional assistance is needed.
Counsel homeowners experiencing mortgage delinquency or foreclosure risk on the New Jersey foreclosure process, timelines, loss mitigation options, loan modification terms, and other available alternatives.
Assist clients with gathering documentation and completing applications or workout packages for mortgage servicers, lenders, and assistance programs.
Communicate and advocate with lenders, mortgage servicers, state agencies, attorneys, and other relevant partners on behalf of clients, including appropriate follow-up and escalation when needed.
Maintain timely and accurate case notes, client documentation, action plans, authorizations, electronic files, follow-up activity, and case closures in AHA’s client management systems.
Ensure counseling records and activities comply with HUD standards, National Industry Standards, funder and grant requirements, program guidelines, and AHA policies and procedures.
Conduct timely follow-up with clients and third parties and monitor cases through resolution or appropriate closure.
Maintain current knowledge of housing counseling programs, lending and loss mitigation options, regulatory requirements, and community resources through continuing education and required training.
Facilitate or support workshops and group education for homebuyers, homeowners, tenants, and community members in both virtual and in-person settings.
Represent AHA at community events, outreach activities, and other opportunities to increase awareness of available housing counseling resources.
Collaborate with colleagues across AHA and with community partners to provide coordinated, comprehensive support to clients.

Benefits

13 full paid holidays and 5 half-day paid holidays
Paid Time Off (PTO) accrued every pay period for vacations and personal time
2 floating holidays for your discretionary use
Up to 40 sick hours per year, accrued pay period by pay period
3 days of paid bereavement leave for immediate family or close relationships
Health insurance through Aetna (Eligible from the first of the month after 30 days of employment)
HSA plan with a generous company contribution
Coverage available for employee, family, and dependents with options that are fully paid by the AHA
Dental insurance via Guardian Dental
Vision care from VSP Vision Care
Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance provided by MetLife and paid by AHA
Voluntary buy-up option available
Long-Term Disability insurance through MetLife
401(k) plan administered by Mutual of America
Opportunities for training, certification, and continuing education
Costs covered by AHA for pre-approved programs
Tuition reimbursement up to $1,500 per year
Employee Assistance Program through Preferred Behavioral Health