Housing Specialist

Affordable Rent; Denver, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Affordable Rent in Denver seeks a Housing Specialist to support the Housing Assistance Department by addressing housing stability needs of program participants and ensuring program integrity.

The role involves interpreting funding rules, assisting with applications, verifying eligibility, and coordinating with partner agencies to ensure timely documentation and payments. Strong data skills and a trauma-informed, recovery-focused approach are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; 4+ years in human services or homeless services may substitute for education.
• Colorado driver’s license within 30 days of hire
• Experience with HUD regulations or subsidized housing programs preferred

Responsibilities

• Research, monitor, and interpret funding rules and regulations for housing programs (HUD).
• Assist households with completing funding source and housing application paperwork.
• Verify eligibility for funding sources based on income, household composition, and housing assistance.
• Assist with housing searches, orientations, inspections, and lease-ups as part of Voucher Administration.
• Conduct housing orientations and inspections; complete paperwork to ensure compliance for funding sources.
• Monitor and document rental units; apply sanctions of rent abatement for non-compliant units.
• Outreach to program participants; meet in the office, street, shelters, or units as needed.
• Coordinate with housing-related agencies to ensure stability and timely submissions of documentation and payments.
• Maintain data integrity in HMIS/El Em /HubSpot and other systems; prepare reports for HAD Leadership when assigned

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social service-related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Email

Job description

Position Summary

The Housing Specialist supports the Housing Assistance Department (HAD) by collaboratively addressing the housing stability needs of program participants and ensuring housing program integrity.

Duties/Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Research, monitor, and properly interprets funding rules and regulations for various housing programs, including HUD.
• Facilitates households with completing funding source and housing application paperwork.
• Accurately verifies eligibility for funding sources in accordance with all regulations including income, household composition, payment assistance for rent, utilities, or move-in expenses, and other standards.
• As assigned and within the scope of Voucher Administration, assists with housing searches, orientations, inspections, and lease-ups.
• Conducts housing orientations, inspections, solicit and completes paperwork to ensure compliance for eligible funding sources.
• Monitors and documents rental units that fail inspection. Imposes sanctions of rent abatement for units not meeting repair deadlines.
• Outreaches and engages program participants on an as needed basis. This may include meeting with program participants in the office, on the streets, in the shelters, at places of employment, or in their rental units to ensure housing program activities are completed.
• Identifies and collaboratively resolves conflicts with and between parties which may include rent and lease negotiations.
• Coordinates with housing related agencies and partners to ensure housing stability for households by ensuring the accurate and timely submission of required documentation and payments
• Demonstrates competency in all data base systems including Colorado’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), Emphasys/Elite, HubSpot, Microsoft Teams, or other tools and applications that the Housing Assistance Department utilizes to perform work.
• Tracks and coordinates assigned tasks, projects, and programs.
• Ensures accurate data collection and entry to maintain fidelity in internal and external reporting systems to ensure reporting complies with legal and funding requirements. When assigned, prepares reports for HAD Leadership.
• Collaborates with Coalition programs and outside service providers to ensure a coordination of care for households upon transfer from Housing Navigation.
• Regularly consults with HAD Leadership on training needs, operational issues, and program improvements.
• Actively participates in meetings, as assigned
• Respond to contacts in a professional, accurate, meaningful, and timely manner.
• Maintains a recovery-focuses and trauma informed work environment that is marked by respect for others, values inclusiveness, builds workforce diversity, and that fosters cooperation and teamwork.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education, Licensure and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social service-related field preferred. 4 or more years of experience in human services or homeless services related field may be substituted for education.
• Must have and maintain in good standing, a Colorado drivers license within 30 days of hire

Experience

• Prior experience working with HUD regulations and/or subsidized housing programs preferred.
• Prior experience working with people who are experiencing homelessness or who have come from homelessness preferred.

Job Competencies

• Sound critical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Consistently superb customer service skills; excellent interpersonal/assertive communications skills demonstrating a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Experience working with people who are experiencing homelessness or who have come from homelessness preferred.
• Knowledge of homeless issues and demonstrated sensitivity to and a desire to work with underserved populations.
• Knowledge of HIPPA federal and state requirements.
• Able to operate office equipment, such as computers, software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; e-mail) and telephones.
• Skilled in oral and written communications.
• Skilled in negotiating and mediating, particularly in sensitive situations. Able to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
• Able to organize and prioritize multiple responsibilities simultaneously. Able to ensure accuracy of data management and reporting.
• Reliable transportation required. Valid CO Driver’s License Required.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment are representative of those that must be met or encountered to successfully perform the essential functions of the job with or reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, CCH provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Company.

Physical Demands

Percentage of work time spent on activity → 0% - 24% 25% to 49% 50% to 74% 75% to 100%

SEEING: Must be able to read computer screens and printed documents.

HEARING: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with employees and others.

STANDING/WALKING

CLIMBING/STOOPING/KNEELING

LIFTING/PULLING/PUSHING