Housing Specialist - Housing is Recovery - Chicago, IL

Housing Specialist - Housing is Recovery - Chicago, IL

The Housing Specialist is responsible for the management of Thresholds residential properties and/or subsidies in accordance with all current funding requirements, Fair Housing Laws, and Thresholds policy and procedure.

The Housing is Recovery pilot program offers affordable housing using a bridge rental subsidy combined with access to recovery support services or treatment, targeted to individuals with serious mental illness who are at high risk of unnecessary institutionalization, or individuals with a substance use disorder who are at high risk of overdose. Grantees in this program will offer, either directly or through subrecipients or partners, housing location, subsidy administration services, and recovery engagement services.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Manages the Thresholds residential properties, subsidized and non-subsidized, in accordance with all current funding requirements, such as but not limited to CHA-PRA or equivalent project based voucher program, current release of the HUD 4350.3 Occupancy Handbook, HUD Continuum of Care Programs including Long Term Rental Assistance Program and HUD Leasing Program, Federal, State & City Fair Housing Laws and Thresholds policy and procedures.
• Conducts and completes applicant interviews, oversees move-ins, move outs, processes annual and interim certifications, verifications, paperwork and data entry required in completing each process.
• Maintains required information in Thresholds Residential software system.
• Maintains tenant files in accordance with funding requirements and department policy and procedures.
• Works with Housing Administrator in maintaining the housing waitlist.
• Monitors rent delinquencies, distribution of notices, (i.e.: delinquency, 10day, 5day) and/or establish reasonable payment arrangements for said delinquencies as needed.
• Distribution of Rent Payments to Landlords (based on subsidy program and type) – if applicable
• Responds to and addresses all housing complaints by tenants.
• Coordinates and participates with funding agencies, and their authorized agents, site reviews and inspections.
• Completes all reports as determined by funding agency their authorized agent and/or other funding sources as requested.
• Monitors all work orders submitted to facilities management department and/or housing partners pertaining to repairs identified during routine unit inspections and/or tenant complaints.
• Communicates and coordinates with the program staff when issues with housing stability are identified.

Additional Essential Duties & Responsibilities For Outlying Service Areas

• Completes Health and Safety inspections, using HQS guidelines, for all housing assistance subsidy recipients and Thresholds members and conducts follow-up inspections as necessary.
• Completes and maintains all rent reasonableness & environmental review paperwork to ensure rents are not excessive for respective locations, type and amenities. Ensures compliance with all subsidy funding sources such as HUD and other funding agencies.
• Monitors current leases for agency housing assistance subsidy recipients and obtains new and renewal leases as necessary.
• Obtains and maintains files of all W9 forms for all landlord and/or property management agencies providing housing to Thresholds housing assistance subsidy recipients and/or Thresholds members.
• Maintains and cultivates new relationships with landlords and property management companies to increase affordable housing opportunities for Thresholds ' members.
• Identifies available rental apartments in the service area on a continual basis, and provide suitable referrals to Thresholds clinical teams to assist in housing members.
• Maintains ongoing communication with clinical teams on apartment referrals. Assist teams as necessary with specific landlord and leasing issues.
• Maintains, strengthens and builds new working relationships with area housing providers. Advocates for members by furnishing information to housing providers regarding Thresholds programs, experience, and the benefits of renting to members.
• Collects all required client information for Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS), where applicable, and reports such data to the HMIS Data Quality Compliance Manager, as described in Thresholds HMIS Policy and Procedures.

Marginal Duties & Responsibilities

• May be required to coordinate and negotiate inter-departmental activities or requests such as grant proposal preparation, internal and external audits, etc.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of residential property management or administration of federal or government subsidies

Skills/Certifications

• Strong computer skills required. Must have comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including internet and email. Knowledge of or ability to learn other pertinent software products preferred. Intermediate to advanced Excel skills are required.
• Assisted Housing Manager (AHM), Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) or Tax Credit Specialist (TCS) preferred.

What We Offer:

• Generous Paid Time Office Policy (Vacation, Sick, and Personal Days)
• 4 Medical Insurance Plans
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 403(b) with 3% employer match
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Supervision for Clinical Licensure at no cost (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.