Housing Application Specialist

Housing Application Specialist

Aeon is a nonprofit developer, owner, and manager of affordable communities in the Twin Cities. For 40 years, we have been at the forefront of creating housing that goes beyond shelter. Our housing serves as a platform for resilience, opportunity, and lasting impact. With a portfolio of almost 5,000 apartment homes, Aeon provides stability for thousands of residents each year.

We focus on bold, forward-thinking solutions that address the need for affordable housing. Through innovation, collaboration, and an unyielding commitment to community, we help create opportunities for residents to build stronger, more sustainable futures. Join a mission-driven team that is shaping the future of affordable housing and making a lasting impact.

We are adding a roving Housing Application Specialist to our team! The Housing Application Specialist will support housing application processing across Aeon communities throughout the Twin Cities. This position will work alongside our property teams, moving between Aeon's apartment communities based on application volume, vacancies, lease-up activity, staffing needs, and other operational priorities.

The primary focus of this role is to manage housing applications from initial submission through eligibility determination and approval, ensuring files are complete, accurate, timely, and compliant with applicable affordable housing program requirements and Aeon policies. The Housing Application Specialist will gather and verify applicant information, calculate income and assets, obtain required documentation, identify missing or conflicting information, communicate with applicants, and prepare files for approval so property teams can move efficiently toward lease signing and move-in.

Because Aeon communities operate under a variety of affordable housing programs and regulatory requirements, this position requires exceptional attention to detail, sound judgment, strong organizational skills, and the ability to learn and apply complex eligibility requirements. The Housing Application Specialist must be comfortable stepping into different communities, quickly understanding property-specific requirements and priorities, and independently advancing multiple applications at various stages of completion.

This position works closely with property teams, marketing & leasing, compliance, and other Aeon departments, and reports to the Director of Compliance.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Manage rental applications from submission through eligibility determination and approval, with a primary focus on affordable housing applications.
• Gather, verify, calculate, and accurately document household income, assets, student status, rental history, household composition, and other information required to determine eligibility.
• Obtain and follow up on third-party verifications and supporting documentation from employers, financial institutions, landlords, government agencies, applicants, and other sources.
• Analyze application information for accuracy, consistency, and compliance, identifying discrepancies or information requiring additional clarification or documentation.
• Apply applicable affordable housing program requirements, property-specific eligibility criteria, Aeon policies, and established procedures throughout the application process.
• Maintain organized, audit-ready application files with clear and complete documentation.
• Submit completed files for required review and approval and respond promptly to questions, corrections, or requests for additional documentation.
• Track applications throughout the process, proactively addressing outstanding items and helping prevent avoidable delays in approval, lease signing, and move-in.
• Maintain accurate application, prospect, and household information within Aeon's property management and compliance systems.
• Protect confidential applicant and resident information and handle sensitive documentation appropriately.

Applicant & Property Team Partnership

• Serve as a knowledgeable and responsive point of contact for applicants throughout the application process.
• Clearly explain documentation requirements, application status, outstanding items, and next steps in a professional and accessible manner.
• Provide consistent follow-up with applicants to obtain required information and keep applications moving forward.
• Partner closely with property teams, compliance team members, and other Aeon staff to resolve application questions and barriers to completion.
• Keep property teams informed of application progress, anticipated approvals, outstanding requirements, and issues that may affect leasing or move-in timelines.
• Provide a high level of customer service while consistently applying eligibility requirements and established policies, following all Fair Housing guidelines.

Roving Portfolio Support

• Provide application-processing support at Aeon communities throughout the Twin Cities based on organizational and property needs.
• Quickly become familiar with the affordable housing programs, eligibility requirements, workflows, and priorities of assigned communities.
• Manage applications across multiple properties and housing programs while maintaining accuracy, organization, and appropriate follow-through.
• Step into communities experiencing increased application volume, lease-up activity, staffing transitions, backlogs, or other operational needs.
• Prioritize workload in partnership with property and portfolio leadership to address time-sensitive applications and support occupancy goals.
• Build productive working relationships across different property teams and adapt successfully to varying community environments and workflows.

Skills & Qualifications

We are looking for someone who thrives in detailed, process-driven work and takes ownership of getting applications across the finish line. This person will be skilled in working directly with applicants and residents, digging into financial and household information, identifying missing or conflicting information, following up consistently and with a sense of urgency, and applying detailed program requirements with accuracy and consistency.

Success in this roving role also requires flexibility and independence. The Housing Application Specialist must be able to step into different Aeon communities, quickly understand what needs attention, build productive relationships with property teams, and manage multiple applications and priorities without losing sight of accuracy, deadlines, or the applicant experience.

Additional qualifications include:

• Previous affordable housing, property management, compliance, leasing, housing application processing, or closely related experience is required.
• Experience processing affordable housing applications and determining household eligibility required.
• Knowledge of affordable housing programs such as Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), Project-Based Section 8, HOME, or other income-restricted housing programs required.
• Demonstrated ability to review detailed financial and household information and perform accurate income and asset calculations.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and complete documentation.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to identify inconsistencies, missing information, and potential compliance concerns.
• Ability to interpret and consistently apply policies, procedures, program requirements, and regulatory guidance.
• Strong organizational and workload-management skills, with the ability to manage numerous applications at different stages while meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to independently prioritize work, follow through on outstanding items, and drive work toward completion.
• Ability to adapt quickly to different properties, teams, housing programs, and operational priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex documentation requirements clearly and respectfully.
• Strong customer-service skills and the ability to balance a positive applicant experience with consistent application of eligibility requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort learning and working within multiple technology platforms.
• Experience with Yardi, RentCafe, Fortress, or other property management or affordable housing compliance software strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and provide service in a culturally responsive manner, with consideration for differing needs, experiences, and expectations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive personal and financial information.
• Commitment to Aeon's mission and to learning and participating in Aeon's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
• Must be a resourceful, problem solving, relationship-building, seeker of excellence, with a commitment to Aeon's mission.
• Valid driver's license, reliable vehicle, and current vehicle insurance required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain in stationary position for extended periods while working at a computer and attending meetings.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and printers.
• Ability to move about the office to access files, meeting spaces, and office equipment.
• Ability to reach above and below shoulder height to access file cabinets, storage areas, and office supplies.
• Ability to lift and carry materials up to 15 pounds on an occasional basis, such as meeting materials or event supplies.
• Ability to conduct property tours and inspections: Includes walking through hallways, stairwells, leasing offices, common areas, and vacant or occupied apartment homes. This may involve navigating multiple floors and uneven surfaces.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, in person and through virtual platforms.
• Ability to work in environments with moderate noise levels, including shared office spaces, meetings, and event