HUD Certified Housing Counselor

JOB TITLE: HUD Certified Housing Counselor

REPORTS TO: Manager, Housing Stability Counseling

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

This document is intended to describe the general duties required for this position. It is not intended to serve as an exhaustive list of duties, skills and responsibilities.

About the AHA

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.

Our Core Values

• Integrity - We demonstrate honesty and unwavering ethical conduct in all of our actions. At the AHA, we build trust through transparency and hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards.

• Hope - We meet each person where they are in their unique journey with genuine understanding. By offering tangible assistance, we nurture hope and empower individuals to build their path forward.

• Adaptability - We embrace change as an opportunity to innovate and grow stronger. At the AHA, we respond dynamically to evolving community needs, turning challenges into possibilities for those we serve.

• Community Service - We dedicate ourselves to uplifting others and improving lives through meaningful action. At the AHA, we create positive change by empowering individuals, fostering independence, and building a more vibrant community for all.

Job Summary:

The HUD Certified Housing Counselor provides individualized counseling and education to help clients achieve and maintain housing stability. Working across AHA’s housing counseling programs, the Counselor helps clients understand their rights, options, risks, and available resources; develop realistic action plans; to make informed decisions related to homeownership, rental stability, foreclosure prevention, and other housing and financial needs. Successful candidates will bring meaningful experience in foreclosure prevention and related mortgage counseling, while being prepared to support clients across the range of AHA’s housing counseling services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES:

Client Counseling

• 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.

Foreclosure Prevention

• 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.

Case Management & Compliance

• 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.

Education & Community Engagement

• 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.

Key Qualifications

• 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.

• 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.

The successful candidate will be:

• 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.

We encourage applications who:

• 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.

Work Schedule & Location

This is a hybrid position, with a combination of in-office and remote work based on department needs and AHA’s remote work policies. The position requires regular in-person work and may include occasional evening or weekend hours to accommodate workshops, community events, or client needs.

Benefits Summary 2026

Full Time Employees

At AHA, we believe in empowering our team with a comprehensive benefits package that evolves to meet changing needs. The AHA is a dynamic organization committed to making a difference, we offer a diverse array of perks designed to support your personal and professional growth. Here's a sneak peek at what awaits you:

• Generous Time Off

  • 13 full paid holidays and 5 half-day paid holidays (details in personnel policies)

  • 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

• Comprehensive Health Coverage

  • Health insurance through Aetna

    • Eligible from the first of the month after 30 days of employment

    • Significant discount on premiums

    • Choice of 4 plan options

  • HSA plan with a generous company contribution

    • Coverage available for employee, family, and dependents with options that are fully paid by the AHA

    • For full-time employees working at least 30 hours a week

  • Dental insurance via Guardian Dental

  • Vision care from VSP Vision Care

• Financial Security and Planning

  • 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; employer contributions begin after 1 year of service

    • Immediate enrollment option for payroll deferral and rollovers

    • Company base contribution of 3.5% of your base salary after 1 year

    • Company match up to 3.5% of your contributions after 1 year

    • Automatic 1% enrollment if no action taken within 30 days of hire

    • Safe Harbor plan: 3.5% base contribution is immediately vested upon eligibility; no employee deferral required

• Professional Development

  • Opportunities for training, certification, and continuing education

  • Costs covered by AHA for pre-approved programs

  • Tuition reimbursement up to $1,500 per year

    • Courses must relate to current position and be pre-approved

    • Reimbursement for grades B or better

• Work-Life Balance and Support

  • Employee Assistance Program through Preferred Behavioral Health

    • Counseling for various personal and family issues

    • Support for domestic violence, parenting, family disputes, substance abuse, relationship concerns, and more

This comprehensive package is designed to support your health, wealth, and personal growth while working at the AHA. Each benefit is carefully chosen to enhance your work experience and provide security for you and your family. As you settle into your new role, we encourage you to explore these benefits fully and take advantage of the opportunities they present for your professional and personal development.