HOUSING SPECIALIST

Housing Specialist

This position is responsible for interviewing, investigating and verifying, subject to review, the eligibility of residents in CMHA housing. Essential functions include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Complete and maintain accurate and compliant client files in On-base or equivalent software. (Includes verifications, eligibility, denial, etc.)
• Maintain site based waiting lists for entire agency, archive wait lists monthly, and ensure eligible clients are available. (Includes scheduling appointments etc.)
• Maintain appropriate and accurate notation within the system regarding client status.
• Obtain and verify family composition and employment income, including, but not limited to, collecting and reviewing birth certificates, marriage licenses, social security cards, check stubs and other necessary documentation.
• Obtain criminal backgrounds checks as required.
• Make any other contacts necessary to determine applicant's eligibility for low-income public housing.
• Interview, and verify those factors mentioned above that are necessary to establish the eligibility of applicants for initial occupancy.
• Accurately and timely input of data into the system.
• Compute rents by entering the income amount on the CMHA system to allow the system to automatically calculate the rent along with the deductions.
• Explain rent determinations to applicants.
• Effectively prepare for CMHA eligibility hearings (Includes preparing hearing packets with necessary documents to substantiate denial of applicant) prior to the hearings.
• Sort wait list daily.
• Represent CMHA in hearings if supervisor is out of the office (as needed basis).
• Assist with annual purge of the waiting list.
• Assist site staff with hard to lease units.
• Train/Assist with monthly training for site staff.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications:

• High School diploma.
• At least two (2) years of college level course work in Business Math, Social Work, Community Relations or Communication or equivalent experience.
• At least two (2) years experience in social work or related field, which requires contact with the public, or similar work involving evaluation of personal income and other assets.
• Advanced typing/data entry skills and familiarity with the keyboard and calculators.
• Excellent customer services and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to stay organized and the ability to work in a fast paced environment.
• Must enjoy working with numbers and be proficient in advanced mathematical concepts.
• Knowledge of HUD regulations and advanced business math.
• Incumbent must obtain their housing specialist certification within one (1) year of employment
• Proficient knowledge of word processing applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, and Groupwise).

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree with related course work.