Housing Specialist - Mainstream/HCV

Description

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOM

As a national leader in housing assistance programs, HOM, Inc. is dedicated to building communities where the promise of home is a reality for everyone because we believe individuals, families, and communities are safer, healthier, and stronger when everyone has a home. Whether ending homelessness through housing assistance, guiding new landlords and property owners through the financial benefits of our programs, or advocating among local leaders for increased funding and supportive services, our HOM team engages in meaningful work that advances our mission of ending homelessness in Arizona through housing.

Honored as a Top 100 Companies to Work for in Arizona, HOM provides opportunities to make an impact, alongside generous pay, benefits, work/life balance, and PTO, among many other great perks. If you’re passionate about making a difference in our communities, there’s no place like HOM.

If you would describe yourself as diligent, thorough, serious, situationally task -or people-oriented, and accurate – we want to talk to you about joining the HOM team as a Housing Specialist.

The Mainstream Housing Specialist operates the entirety (up to 194) of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Mainstream program. The Mainstream Housing Specialist is responsible for the management of each participant’s entire participation in the housing program, including pulling from the wait list, determining initial eligibility in compliance with the Administrative Plan, to the initial admission and move-in, interim and annual certifications, unit transfers, and program termination. Further the Mainstream Housing Specialist will participate and lead in utilization analysis and reporting requirements of HUD through the PIC and VMS systems. The Mainstream Housing Specialist is a non-exempt position.

Primary Job Responsibilities

Program Duties

• Maintain, document and update the HCV wait list for the Mainstream program
• Monitor and coordinate with CPO on program utilization to keep the programs fully leased up
• Perform data entry into HUD VMS system
• Select households from wait list in compliance with allocation and Administrative Plan requirements, rules and regulations
• Coordinate, schedule, prepare, and conduct program orientations for new participants
• Obtain and evaluate written verification of participant income, assets, expenses and eligibility factors in accordance with program guidelines/regulations/practices
• Issue and manage vouchers, including extensions and terminations
• Assist applicants and participants with dwelling unit search process by using Padmission
• Process requests for tenancy approval and determine unit gross rent eligibility
• Review Rent Reasonableness
• Calculate tenant rent and rental assistance payments
• Negotiate contract rent and lease terms
• Coordinate initial Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspections
• Preparation of housing assistance payments (HAP) contracts
• Conduct interim & annual re-certifications
• Coordinate and process unit transfers for program participants
• Advocacy for program participants in the community & working closely with program specific supportive services
• Process participant program terminations when necessary
• Create and maintain participant files with accurate and timely documentation
• Perform extensive data entry in Housing Software for program participants, dwelling units, landlords, and other housing program related information
• Access participant data and adhere to confidentiality requirements from various computer databases, including the HUD EIV system, the Department of Economic Security AZTECS and GUIDE systems, tenant screening web sites, etc.
• Assist with and implement PIC reporting via the software provider to HUD.

Requirements

Essential Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications including Sharepoint, OneDrive, Teams, Planner, Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.
• Strong organizational skills with aptitude for project management and multitasking to manage multiple concurrent projects
• Certification as Housing Specialist or Occupancy Specialist required or ability to obtain within 1st year of employment
• Knowledgeable of AZ Residential Landlord & Tenant Act
• Ability to work closely and consistently with homeless and/or disabled population
• Demonstrated high level of skill with interpersonal relationships and communication
• Strong sense of ownership of work processes and outcomes
• Excellent people skills and the proven ability to work well with a wide range of personalities
• Ability to think strategically and tactically to accomplish goals
• Ability to manage change while working as part of a team
• Problem solver with the ability to adapt to unexpected challenges

Other Skills and Requirements

• Team Member will have unrestricted access to sensitive information that may include PII and PHI, which requires adherence to HOM Security and Privacy Policies.
• Team Member may use or disclose PII or PHI through the course of their Financial, and Human Resources duties listed above. All use and disclosure is subject to procedures outlined in Section 1.10 of the HOM Privacy Policies.
• Demonstration of performance and attributes contained within the four (4) focus areas of HOM Inc.’s Competency Model shown below; Emotional Intelligence, Expertise, Ethics, and Excellence
• Current Arizona Driver’s License
• Current Automobile Insurance
• Willingness to perform duties as needed or as assigned

Education and Training

• Understanding and commitment to “Housing First” principles in ending homelessness
• Minimum of (5) five years’ experience in the assisted housing industry, property management, homeless services, project management, or other similar setting
• Industry certifications of Section 8 or Public Housing Occupancy or ability to obtain within (1) one year of hire
• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
• Associates and/or Bachelor’s Degree Preferred

LEARN MORE ABOUT US

Taking care of people is central to our work, which is why we offer highly competitive pay and a comprehensive and generous benefits program.

HEALTH

Offering excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits, HOM also provides employee assistance programs for physical and mental well-being.

WELLNESS

Because this is challenging work, HOM is committed to providing monthly chair massages, employee wellness program events and challenges, blood drives, and more.

SAVINGS

In addition to competitive pay, save for retirement with employer matching and opportunities for financial planning. Other insurance benefits include life, disability, and accident insurance, and more.

BALANCE

Ensuring a healthy balance between work and life is important. Because individual needs for time away from work are diverse, we offer generous paid time off (PTO), including 13 paid National holidays.

FUN

At HOM, we’re not afraid of hard work, or a good time! To keep our team strong and connected, our employee-driven Culture Committee strives to provide engaging opportunities all year round.

Successful candidates will be required to complete a short behavioral and cognitive assessment prior to advancing to an interview.

Drug Free Workplace:

HOM, Inc. is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for drugs and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies

Equal Opportunity Employer:

HOM, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. HOM, Inc. is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting the Business Operations at employment@hominc.com.

https://www.hominc.com/wp-content/uploads/EEO-Policy-Statement-2023.pdf