Housing Eligibility Specialist

Eden Housing Limited; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

EDEN Housing Limited seeks a Housing Specialist to support participants in housing subsidy programs by determining ongoing eligibility and answering client questions regarding our processes. The role helps clients remain on the program to receive rental subsidy payments.

The position handles applications, recertifications, lease approvals, and HAP contracts, coordinating with landlords, tenants, and case managers to ensure timely documentation and housing stability.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; an Associate's Degree preferred.
• 2–3 years of work with Housing Choice Voucher or similar housing programs preferred.
• 1–2 years of experience with the mental health population preferred.

Responsibilities

• Processes applications and approves based on income, disability, homeless status and linkage to supportive services.
• Ensures unit search within 120 days after approval and completes annual, interim and move recertifications with documentation.
• Uses basic math to review client paystubs and Social Security letters; maintains timely documentation.
• Manages lease approvals, verifies unit information with landlords as needed, and finalizes HAP contracts.
• Communicates with participants, landlords, case managers and supports housing stability.
• Enters data into EDEN's software system and OnBase; coordinates with Finance for payments.

Skills

Communication

Documentation

Coordination

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate's degree preferred

Tools

OnBase

EDEN software

HMIS

Job description

The Housing Specialist supports participants in our housing subsidy programs by determining ongoing eligibility for the program, answering client, landlord and case manager's questions regarding our processes, and helping clients to remain on the program to receive assistance with rental subsidy payments.

Essential Job Functions

• Processes applications and approves based on income, disability, homeless status (if applicable) and linkage to supportive services agency, if applicable.
• Ensures that clients approved for the program have located a unit within 120 days of approval, if applicable.
• Completes and finalizes annual recertifications, interim recertifications, and move recertifications with subsidy program participants in a timely manner and collects appropriate documentation.
• Use basic math skills to analyze information on client documentation such as paystubs and Social Security benefit letters.
• Assures that household changes (size, income, utilities, etc) made at a time other than recertification are processed timely and appropriate documentation is received and filed.
• Processes Request for Lease Approvals consistent with approved time frame, including entering new unit information into EDEN's software system; confirms with landlord that unit information on RFLA is accurate prior to approval, only if needed.
• Runs the rent reasonable determination to ensure requested rent is appropriate, only if needed.
• Obtains signed lease agreement and processes and finalizes the HAP contract with the landlord to ensure rental assistance payments are made.
• Answers questions and refers clients to stability if they are in violation of the program policies, their housing is at risk or they are in the process of moving.
• Works with tenant, case manager, landlord, and other community supports to ensure housing stability for tenant.
• Communicates through OnBase with the Finance Department to notify it of when to put payments to landlords on hold and when to release payments that have been placed on hold.
• Collaborates with the Finance Department on rent and utility questions from landlords and tenants.
• Coordinates process for complaint and emergency inspections.
• Communicates with participants and their landlords if there is an emergency repair that must be made or if a client must move due to repairs not being made timely.
• Works with agencies to arrange needed supports for participants, as necessary.
• Handles sensitive communication with social service agencies/landlords/tenants regarding matters pertaining to the application process and matters of ongoing tenancy.
• Works cooperatively with the Supervisor and/or Manager of Long or Short-Term Rental Assistance in identifying and resolving participant/program issues.
• Responds to participant, landlord, and case manager concerns in a timely manner by phone, in person or through written communication.
• Proposes participants for terminations and informs tenants, landlords, and case managers, as necessary.
• Maintains tenant files by scanning or uploading required documents into OnBase (completeness, accuracy, timeliness).
• Regularly checks OnBase queues to ensure items are moved through to complete processing and so that older documents are removed.
• Navigate and problem solve issues in software systems used.
• Finalizes End of Participations in EDEN's software system.
• Works with department staff to resolve program issues and implement changes to increase efficiency.
• Assists in the completion of reports, as requested.
• Maintains waiting list, if applicable.
• Enters data into EDEN's software system for HMIS purposes, if applicable.
• Contributes to team efforts by assisting with other duties, as assigned.
• Management reserves the right to designate specialists to specific caseloads and reassign caseloads as needed.

A high school diploma or GED is required. An Associate's Degree in Social Services or related field is preferred. 2-3 years of work experience with the Housing Choice Voucher program or other housing assistance program is also preferred.

One to two years of experience working with the mental health population is preferred.

EDEN's mission is to provide housing solutions to people facing the challenges of housing insecurities and homelessness.

Vision

EDEN recognizes that housing is a basic right of all people, and the first step in helping those vulnerable and disadvantaged transform their lives. We envision, that through our efforts, homelessness will be brief and rare; and every family will have a safe, secure place to call home. We believe housing serves as a foundation to build stable lives, advance independence, and fulfill aspirations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal employment opportunity in full compliance with applicable law will be provided to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.