Housing Counselor

ACT Lawrence; Lawrence (MA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

ACT Lawrence is seeking a Housing Counselor to provide one-on-one and group counseling on homebuying, foreclosure prevention, rental options, and sustainable homeownership in Lawrence, MA. You will assess client needs, review financial documents, develop action plans, and support budgeting and credit improvement.

The role delivers workshops, maintains case files, and ensures HUD compliance. Ideal candidates have HUD housing counselor credentials, experience in budgeting, credit-building, and

Qualifications

• Certification and technical expertise: Certified Housing Counselor credential and knowledge of HUD housing counseling standards.
• Counseling and subject-matter skills: Experience in Housing Counseling, including homebuyer education, rental counseling, and foreclosure prevention.
• Financial guidance skills: Ability to support clients with Budgeting, basic financial literacy, and credit-building strategies.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills: Ability to explain complex housing and financial concepts clearly, work with diverse communities, and build trust with clients.
• Organizational and documentation skills: Experience maintaining thorough case records, managing client caseloads, and using databases or CRM systems.
• Relevant education and experience: Associate's or Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, finance, public administration, or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Language skills: Bilingual proficiency (such as English and Spanish) is highly beneficial for serving the local community.
• Commitment to equity and community engagement: Demonstrated interest in affordable housing, community development, and inclusive service delivery.

Responsibilities

• The Housing Counselor is a full-time, on-site role based in Lawrence, MA.
• Provide one-on-one and group counseling to individuals and families on homebuying, foreclosure prevention, rental options, and sustainable homeownership.
• Assess client needs, review financial documents, develop action plans, and support budgeting and credit improvement.
• Deliver workshops, maintain accurate case files, and ensure compliance with HUD standards.
• Collaborate with community partners, refer clients to appropriate services, and contribute to outreach efforts that promote ACT Lawrence's housing and financial education programs.

Skills

Housing Counseling

Budgeting

Credit-building

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Databases

Job description

Company Description

ACT Lawrence is a community-based organization that focuses on empowering residents through housing support, financial education, and youth development programs. The organization offers homebuyer education and counseling to help individuals and families navigate the path to stable homeownership. Financial literacy workshops and one-on-one coaching support community members in building strong money-management skills. ACT Lawrence also provides youth jobs and community activities that foster leadership, engagement, and long-term neighborhood stability. Team members collaborate with local partners and residents to promote equitable access to resources and opportunities.

Role Description

The Housing Counselor is a full-time, on-site role based in Lawrence, MA. This position provides one-on-one and group counseling to individuals and families on topics such as homebuying, foreclosure prevention, rental options, and sustainable homeownership. Day-to-day responsibilities include assessing client needs, reviewing financial documents, developing action plans, and supporting clients with budgeting and credit improvement. The Housing Counselor will deliver workshops, maintain accurate case files, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and program requirements, including HUD standards. The role also involves collaborating with community partners, referring clients to appropriate services, and contributing to outreach efforts that promote ACT Lawrence's housing and financial education programs.

Qualifications

• Certification and technical expertise: Certified Housing Counselor credential and knowledge of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing counseling standards.


• Counseling and subject-matter skills: Experience in Housing Counseling, including homebuyer education, rental counseling, and foreclosure prevention.


• Financial guidance skills: Ability to support clients with Budgeting, basic financial literacy, and credit-building strategies.


• Strong communication and interpersonal skills: Ability to explain complex housing and financial concepts clearly, work with diverse communities, and build trust with clients.


• Organizational and documentation skills: Experience maintaining thorough case records, managing client caseloads, and using databases or CRM systems.


• Relevant education and experience: Associate's or Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, finance, public administration, or related field, or equivalent work experience.


• Language skills: Bilingual proficiency (such as English and Spanish) is highly beneficial for serving the local community.


• Commitment to equity and community engagement: Demonstrated interest in affordable housing, community development, and inclusive service delivery.