Project Associate, Co-op Development

Urban Homesteading Assistance U-HAB Inc • New York, NY

2d • $0 - $59,800 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Urban Homesteading Assistance Board (UHAB) is seeking a dynamic and experienced housing development professional to serve as its next Project Associate of Co-op Development. This role is pivotal to facilitating the acquisition, financing, rehabilitation, and conversion of distressed rental properties into affordable cooperatives. As a key player in expanding UHAB’s development capabilities, you will drive the organization’s mission of creating and preserving community-controlled, affordable housing.

About UHAB

UHAB empowers low- to moderate-income residents to take control of their housing and enhance communities by creating strong tenant associations and lasting affordable co-ops. Since 1973, UHAB has helped form hundreds of tenant associations and transformed troubled rental buildings into 1,200 affordable co-ops, providing homeownership opportunities for over 25,000 families. With democratic community control at the core of our mission, we work to sustain this thriving affordable housing community for this generation and those to come. We organize residents to be active participants and decision-makers in shaping their neighborhoods. UHAB’s programs address a full spectrum of affordable housing needs: from building resident power and organizing tenants as community leaders, to developing thousands of units of affordable housing across the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, to making loans to first-time homeowners, to preserving affordable co-ops through training, education, and technical assistance. UHAB’s programs address the needs of future generations through long-term solutions: developing new affordable co-ops, increasing energy efficiency and introducing renewable technologies, and strengthening housing policy. At UHAB, we’re more than a housing nonprofit, we’re a movement for economic justice and community empowerment. We offer a supportive, values-driven workplace where your work makes a tangible impact on people’s lives.

We organize residents to be active participants and decision-makers in shaping their neighborhoods. UHAB’s programs address a full spectrum of affordable housing needs: from building resident power and organizing tenants as community leaders, to developing thousands of units of affordable housing across the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, to making loans to first-time homeowners, to preserving affordable co-ops through training, education, and technical assistance. UHAB’s programs address the needs of future generations through long-term solutions: developing new affordable co-ops, increasing energy efficiency and introducing renewable technologies, and strengthening housing policy.

Position

Reporting to the Director of Co-op Development, the Project Associate will play a key role in expanding UHAB’s dynamic development team. This position provides vital support to the Director of Co-op Development and the Chief of Real Estate in advancing our affordable homeownership initiatives. It offers a unique opportunity for a housing development professional to contribute to UHAB’s comprehensive approach to cooperative development, while working closely with both internal teams and external partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, urban planning, finance, banking, public policy, or a related field, Master’s degree preferred
• 2-4 years of experience in affordable housing development, real estate finance, or a related field
• Strong financial modeling, analysis, and budgeting skills, intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel, and research skills, underwriting skills is a plus
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Familiarity with affordable housing programs, policies, and financing tools (e.g., LIHTC, HOME, HCR, HPD) is a plus
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams in a fast-paced environment
• Skilled at building trust with a diverse body of tenants; empathetic to the challenge’s tenants experience during construction and relocation; willing to listen to tenants’ concerns and work together toward solutions
• Experience facilitating group meetings and/or conducting information or adult learning sessions
• Effective time management and decision-making skills, knowing when to escalate issues to senior management
• Passion for affordable housing, community development, and tenant empowerment
• Eagerness to learn on the job and adapt to an everchanging landscape and challenges
• Experience with Public-facing roles requiring excellent interpersonal communication

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree
• underwriting skills is a plus
• Familiarity with affordable housing programs, policies, and financing tools (e.g., LIHTC, HOME, HCR, HPD) is a plus

Responsibilities

• Assist in financial analysis and underwriting for acquisitions, development projects, and portfolio management by gathering public data, reviewing legal documents, financial statements, and conducting market research
• Prepare project budgets, underwriting proformas, financial forecasts, rent collection and monthly operational reports
• Oversee pre-development activities, including site analysis, due diligence, consultant coordination, financing applications, and relocation efforts.
• Manage projects due diligence, and liaise with third-party stakeholders
• Assist in executing transactions by coordinating legal, financial, and operational requirements for successful project closings
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (legal, design, construction, training, finance, marketing) to ensure project goals are met on time and within budget
• Contribute to project scope and development timeline
• Act as a liaison with city, state, and federal agencies, financial institutions, and community partners
• Facilitate tenant engagement through tenant association (TA) meetings
• Provide clear communication on the status of predevelopment, construction and conversion and actively solicit and listen to tenant feedback throughout the process
• Support the Community Engagement Director with tenant relocations during and after construction
• With the assistance of internal departments, promote tenants' transitions to HDFC co-op
• Support the Community Engagement and Development teams in preparing materials and presentations that reflect UHAB’s mission, values, and project goals
• Represent UHAB in meetings with external partners, consultants, and public agencies by communicating clearly, respectfully, and with cultural and technical fluency
• Conduct site visits and coordinate with third-party vendors and property management for repairs
• Participate in monthly operational meetings with property management to ensure timely receipt of financial reports
• Collaborate with property managers and address fiscal considerations
• Provide administrative, logistical, and operational support to the real estate development team
• Prepare and track requisitions, ensuring accurate invoices and budget alignment
• Collaborate with the Fiscal team to produce reports and documentation for grant compliance and fund disbursement
• Maintain organized expenditure and funding records for audits and compliance
• Gain exposure to all aspects of affordable housing finance and development

Benefits

• free and affordable medical and dental plans
• long-term disability insurance
• a 403b retirement plan
• medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• 3 weeks of paid vacation for new employees and 4 weeks of paid vacation after 2 years of employment
• 13 paid holidays, 2 Floating Holidays, 12 sick days, and 1 personal day per year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level