Occupancy Specialist

OCCUPANCY SPECIALIST - AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Reports To: Property Operations Manager

Compensation: $40,000-$50,000

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking an experienced Occupancy Specialist to oversee the day-to-day administration of HUD, Section 8 and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) occupancy programs.

The Occupancy Specialist will be responsible for applicant eligibility, initial certifications, annual and interim recertifications, income verification, resident file management, waiting-list administration, audit preparation and ongoing affordable housing compliance.

Qualified candidates must have direct, hands-on experience processing Section 8 and LIHTC certifications or recertifications. Conventional property-management experience without affordable housing compliance experience will not meet the requirements of this position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Process affordable housing applications in accordance with HUD, Section 8, LIHTC, IRS and applicable program requirements.
• Screen and qualify applicants based on income limits, household composition, program eligibility and affordable housing guidelines.
• Prepare complete and accurate new resident files, leasing documents and eligibility records.
• Process initial certifications, annual recertifications and interim recertifications within all required deadlines.
• Send recertification notices and follow up with residents who do not respond or provide required documentation.
• Obtain and review income, employment, asset, household and third-party verification documents.
• Complete and review HUD 50059 forms, Tenant Income Certifications (TICs) and other required affordable housing documentation.
• Use EIV, TRACS and other property-management or compliance systems to verify resident information and maintain accurate records.
• Monitor ongoing resident eligibility and compliance with HUD, Section 8 and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit requirements.
• Maintain complete, accurate and audit-ready resident files, certification records and leasing documentation.
• Manage the property waiting list in compliance with HUD, Section 8, LIHTC, IRS and Fair Housing requirements.
• Assist with preparing and submitting monthly Housing Assistance Payment requests and HAP vouchers.
• Prepare resident and property files for internal audits, compliance reviews, Management and Occupancy Reviews, regulatory inspections and investor reviews.
• Correct file deficiencies and resolve documentation or compliance issues within required timeframes.
• Assist with annual affordable housing reporting and other required compliance submissions.
• Organize office systems and procedures to support occupancy and affordable housing compliance requirements.
• Prepare program information, occupancy reports and special projects related to subsidy and tax-credit programs.
• Assist with monitoring monthly rent collections, resident balances and delinquent accounts.
• Notify residents of account balances, missing documents, certification deadlines and other occupancy requirements.
• Maintain current knowledge of HUD regulations, LIHTC compliance, Fair Housing laws, income limits, utility allowances and applicable landlord-tenant laws.
• Communicate professionally with residents, applicants, staff, government agencies, community organizations, housing providers, contractors and members of the public.
• Work independently while keeping management informed of compliance concerns, deadlines and resident-file issues.
• Perform additional administrative, occupancy and property-management duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Direct experience with HUD, Section 8 and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit programs.
• Hands-on experience processing initial certifications, annual recertifications and interim recertifications.
• Knowledge of affordable housing eligibility, income calculations, asset verification, third-party verification and resident certification requirements.
• Experience completing or reviewing HUD 50059 forms, Tenant Income Certifications or similar affordable housing documentation.
• Experience maintaining resident files and preparing documentation for affordable housing audits or compliance reviews.
• Knowledge of Fair Housing laws and applicable landlord-tenant regulations.
• Experience managing affordable housing waiting lists and applicant eligibility.
• Ability to independently establish priorities, meet compliance deadlines and manage multiple resident files.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify missing, incomplete or inconsistent documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to resolve resident concerns and disputes calmly, courteously and professionally.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, property-management software and affordable housing compliance systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with EIV, TRACS, HUD 50059 forms, HAP vouchers and Tenant Income Certifications.
• Experience with Management and Occupancy Reviews, resident-file audits or regulatory inspections.
• Affordable housing certification such as COS, Certified Occupancy Specialist; CPO, Certified Professional of Occupancy; HCCP, Housing Credit Certified Professional; SHCM, Specialist in Housing Credit Management; or TCS, Tax Credit Specialist.
• Knowledge of applicable state and local landlord-tenant laws.
• Previous experience as an Occupancy Specialist, Affordable Housing Specialist, Compliance Specialist, HUD Compliance Specialist, LIHTC Compliance Specialist, Section 8 Specialist, Housing Specialist, Recertification Specialist, Certification Specialist, Resident Certification Specialist, Property Compliance Specialist or Occupancy Compliance Coordinator.

TARGET KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Affordable Housing, HUD, Section 8, LIHTC, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, Tax Credit Compliance, Subsidized Housing, Income-Restricted Housing, Resident Eligibility, Income Certification, Initial Certifications, Annual Recertifications, Interim Recertifications, HUD 50059, Tenant Income Certification, EIV, Enterprise Income Verification, TRACS, HAP Vouchers, Housing Assistance Payments, Income Verification, Asset Verification, Third-Party Verification, Waiting List Management, Resident File Audits, Management and Occupancy Reviews, Fair Housing, Rent Calculations and Property Management.

WORK EXPECTATIONS

The Occupancy Specialist is expected to organize, prioritize and complete assigned responsibilities independently while maintaining regular communication with management. This position requires sound judgment, professionalism, confidentiality and strict adherence to applicable legal, contractual and regulatory requirements.

Regular working hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some overtime, weekend or after-hours work may occasionally be required.


BG Staffing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for employment to all qualified people, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. BG Staffing uses artificial intelligence (AI) and other automated decision-support tools to assist in the recruiting and hiring process. See for more details.