Housing Specialist

Community-Roots-Housing; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 37,195 - 39,950; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision for employee

PTO accrual 22 days

13 paid holidays

3 personal days

Sick time

ORCA pass

Life & disability insurance

Employee assistance program

FSA / DCA

Retirement plan

Job summary

Community Roots Housing is seeking a Housing Specialist to join the Occupancy team in Seattle. This role serves as the first contact in the leasing process, handling calls, emails, waitlists, and referrals for HUD and tax credit units, while ensuring compliance with Fair Housing and ADA laws.

Responsibilities include leasing, data entry, and coordinating with partners; the candidate should have strong English communication, reliability, and the ability to manage timelines within a not-for-profit

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Ability to speak, read and write in standard business English.
• Intermediate skill with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel and Outlook).
• Ability to problem solve independently.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of and experience working with diverse populations and communication styles.
• Ability to follow instructions accurately and work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to organize time efficiently, prioritize tasks and work self-directed.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the advertising of vacant apartments under tight timelines, review vacancies, post ads and update social services website for units.
• Respond to prospective applicants with phone pre-screens and arrange apartment tours; assist with HUD name-ups.
• Coordinate with Housing Partners to schedule tours for referral-based units.
• Complete required application paperwork for prospective tenants when site is unavailable during lease-ups.
• Enter accurate tenant data into property management systems and maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Leasing knowledge

Customer service

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Data entry

Problem solving

Organization

Education

High school diploma or GED preferred

Job description

Location: 100% On-Site in Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA

Compensation: $27.00-$29.00 hourly DOE

Benefits: Medical HMO, dental and vision are free for employees

Company Summary

Everyone has the right to a quality, affordable home. At Community Roots Housing, this truth drives our work. By embracing community-led development and engaging in deep-rooted partnerships, we’re fostering vibrant, equitable communities where everyone has access to safe, affordable and welcoming homes. Today, nearly 40 apartment buildings – over 2,000 residents -- we continue our commitment to build community with and for people. We are a top performing, high-capacity not-for-profit corporation with an innovative portfolio throughout the Seattle area. Our buildings have won numerous awards from HUD, Urban Land Institute, Affordable Housing Finance Magazine, Future wise and other community development awards.

Job Summary

Community Roots Housing is looking for a Housing Specialist to be a part of the Occupancy team. The Housing Specialist will be the first contact in the leasing process for Community Roots Housing. Duties will include but not be limited to answering leasing calls and emails, marketing, maintaining and processing waitlists, connecting with housing partners for referrals for vacancies consisting of tax credit or HUD units, and market rate units. All activities are to be carried out in full accordance with Community Roots Housing’s mission, vision, and values, as well as policies and procedures. The Housing Specialist will also operate within the provisions of Seattle and Washington State Landlord Tenant law, Fair Housing law and American Disabilities Act (ADA) law. The Housing Specialist will report to the Leasing Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leasing

• Assist in the advertising of vacant apartments under tight timelines, which includes reviewing upcoming vacancies, post ads and update social services website for units.
• Answer or promptly respond back to prospective applicants to conduct phone pre-screenings and make appointments for apartment tours, as needed. For HUD properties, assist with processing name-ups.
• Connect with Housing Partners to set up tours for referral-based units.
• complete the required application paperwork for prospective tenants when site is not available or during lease ups to provide extra support.
• Entering accurate data and tenant information into property management database and systems.
• Maintain confidentiality of applicant, residents, corporate, personnel and research information
• Interact with applicants, tenants, and the public in a professional, responsive, respectful, and knowledgeable manner
• Provide Leasing referrals
• Attend leasing events to assist in promotion of leasing opportunities and assist in leasing workshops as they occur.

Compliance

• Assist with setting up and maintaining an electronic filing system.
• Maintain wait list (entering new applications, entering updates and purging)
• Entering in data into WBAR’s annual reporting system

Other

• Assist with the maintenance of tenant files within the portfolio
• Other administrative duties assigned

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Ability to speak, read and write in standard business English.
• Intermediate skill with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel and Outlook).
• Ability to problem solve independently.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of and experience working with a diverse populations and communication styles
• Ability to follow instructions accurately and work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to organize time efficiently, prioritize tasks and perform tasks in a self-directed manner.
• Ability to perform the following essential physical requirements: Constant – hearing, seeing. Frequent – standing, walking on a variety of surfaces, lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds, climbing stairs, reaching (from knees to shoulders), repetitive hand and arm motion, handling/grasping, pushing/pulling, bending at the waist, twisting at the waist, crouching kneeling/squatting, reaching (below knees and above shoulders). Occasional – Fine finger manipulation, talking, sitting, lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds, climbing ladders, working at heights. Seldom – crawling, using foot controls.

Preferred Qualifications

• Reliable transportation is needed for this position
• Tax credit, HUD or other forms of affordable housing experience

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Disclaimer

Community Roots Housing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates of color, LGBTQ candidates, women, candidates with disabilities and candidates of all religions and national origins are strongly encouraged to apply. Community Roots Housing is a “Ban the Box” employer. However, per Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development requirements, any candidate selected for this position must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment.

Employee Benefits

• Medical HMO, Dental and Vision is free for employee only coverage with Medical PPO buy up available
• Accrual of 22 days of PTO in your first year of employment
• 13 paid holidays
• 2 personal days
• Sick Time
• ORCA regional business passport
• Employer paid basic life insurance and disability insurance
• SupportLinc employee assistance program
• Medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care FSA
• Retirement: employee contribution through the Department of Retirement Systems Deferred Compensation Program, employer contribution of 2% annually through Fidelity SEP IRA

Community Roots Housing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Community Roots Housing is a “Ban the Box” employer. However, per Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development requirements, any candidate selected for this position must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment.