Housing Specialist

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES : Assists with the activities of a small housing office, assigning tasks to clerical workers and monitoring workflow; Interviews prospective participants to complete housing applications and collect eligibility information and documentation, explain RHA and HUD programs and guidelines, eligibility requirements and lease restrictions, and the rules and regulations applicable to public housing and Section 8 programs; Conducts recertification of housing eligibility for current participants; Interviews new and current participants to obtain data regarding income and household expenses and to collect documents of proof; Verifies that information provided by housing participants is accurate by inspecting documents and contacting social service agencies, employers, etc. by phone or mail; Determines eligibility and suitability of participants for residency in public housing and Section 8 programs; Computes income and expenses to determine participants rental charges according to the Authority's policies and HUD's rules and regulations; Inspects rental units to assess housekeeping habits of participants and identify repair and maintenance needs and need for correction of safety hazards; Discusses with public housing participants complaints against them such as poor housekeeping habits, insect infestations, landlord/neighbor relations, noise, etc., and delivers oral and written lease enforcement notices when necessary; Recommends eviction of participants when necessary and assists with eviction proceedings; Assists landlords with completing forms for lease and contract renewals to receive rental subsidies for privately owned housing; May contact various human service agencies and refers tenants to such organizations as visiting nurses, Department of Social Services, medical transportation and youth and family counseling; May collect rents and other participants charges, make deposits and prepare appropriate documentation; Writes letters, memos, simple reports, and completes a variety of forms and ledgers using a personal computer.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS : High school diploma or GED; AND I. A. Associate's degree in Human Services or Business Administration or a related area;AND B. Two (2) years of work experience involving explaining complex information and making determinations based on complex rules, guidelines or procedures, in fields such as, but not limited to, social services, financial aid, insurance claim investigation, employment and training intake, mortgage origination, housing eligibility intake.OR II. Four (4) years of work experience as described in I-B.