Housing Specialist Jobs

About The Position

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 score of at least 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.
• Hold 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 laws, rules, and regulations related to low-income housing, as well as Houston Housing Authority policies.
• Knowledge of general office practices and procedures, business English, and basic mathematics.
• Knowledge of HUD HQS, inspection procedures, and Houston Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate interpersonally and work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and abilities, including participants, landlords, and coworkers.
• Ability to complete complex, detailed tasks accurately and on time, and to plan and prioritize duties.
• Ability to work independently and use judgment in making recommendations and decisions while following established procedures and written guidelines.
• Ability to handle complex interpersonal situations and conflicts between assisted tenants and landlords with skill 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 in clients’ homes or offsite as needed.
• Conduct criminal history checks for adult members of applicant families and determine eligibility for waiting-list applicants, special admissions, and port-ins.
• Inform ineligible families about informal meeting procedures.
• Document family composition, citizenship or eligible immigrant status, and Social Security numbers or required certifications in accordance with HUD requirements.
• Determine annual and adjusted income, obtain Enterprise Income Verification or third-party verifications, and calculate Total Tenant Payment in accordance with HUD rules.
• Determine appropriate Voucher size, issue Vouchers, and brief Voucher-holders, including emphasizing housing opportunities outside areas of minority and low-income concentration.
• Establish complete and accurate participant files with required documents and verifications.
• Receive and review tenancy approval requests, HAP contracts, tenancy addenda, inspection reports, rent-reasonableness determinations, and leases; check required signatures and internal consistency; and authorize HAP payments to owners as appropriate.
• Enter correct information and forward accurate, timely Form 50058 submissions to the Assistant Administrator for submission to HUD.
• Request and coordinate annual and special inspections with Inspectors.
• Schedule and conduct annual re-certification interviews, ensuring required rent-increase notices are provided at least 30 days before the anniversary date and that the process is completed by that date.
• Reassess family unit and Voucher size as appropriate and issue a new Voucher when needed.
• Conduct full annual re-certifications when families move later than 120 days after their most recent annual re-certification, where program guidelines and the Administrative Plan require it, and update the anniversary date.
• Process interim adjustments when participants report changes in income or family circumstances, documenting information using EIV when available or other permitted documentation.
• Determine requests to add family members for reasons other than the birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody of children, in accordance with the Administrative Plan.
• Receive owner rent-increase requests and forward them for rent-reasonableness determinations and budget review; notify owners and Finance when increases are approved.
• Ensure utility allowances used to determine tenant rent are accurate and reflect unit size and type and tenant-paid utilities.
• Process assigned client files within prescribed timeframes.
• Work cooperatively with the Voucher Administration group, adjusting workload as needed, and assist with additional caseloads when required.
• Investigate and resolve participant and landlord complaints professionally and with minimal supervisor involvement.
• Communicate courteously and professionally with applicants, participants, landlords, owners, and coworkers; answer questions about rent, damage claims, inspections, leases, contracts, regulations, and agency policies and procedures.
• Return participant and landlord calls within one workday and place mailed, faxed, or emailed information in the appropriate participant file within two workdays.
• Participate in revising departmental policies and procedures.
• Submit monthly performance reports as required and perform other duties as assigned.