Housing Stability Specialist - Manhattan

LANTERN COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC; New York (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Lantern Community Services seeks a Housing Stability Specialist to support low-income and special needs tenants in Lantern’s supportive housing programs. You’ll handle intake, leasing compliance, rent collection coordination, and tenant engagement, collaborating with clinical staff and property teams to maintain stability and occupancy.

Flexibility and strong organizational and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Associate degree required; Bachelor’s preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience with vulnerable populations (homelessness, mental health, substance use, HIV/AIDS).
• Experience in leasing compliance, property management, or supportive housing preferred.
• Working knowledge of LIHTC, Section 8, NYCHA, HPD, DHCR, rent stabilization, and Fair Housing.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills with tenants.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality customer service to residents and applicants via calls, messages, and emails.
• Maintain accurate tenant files in compliance with subsidy agencies and regulatory requirements (LIHTC, etc.).
• Manage vacancies per Lantern policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with clinical staff and property management to maintain a safe, supportive environment.
• Monitor occupancy to maintain at least 95% occupancy.
• Coordinate intake with referral sources and agencies to obtain applications.
• Review eligibility documentation and assist subsidy application preparation.
• Complete income calculations for rent and subsidy eligibility.
• Maintain and produce leasing/compliance reports and attend meetings.

Skills

Customer service

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Microsoft Office (Excel)

Education

Associate degree in a related field

Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred

Tools

CAPS

HASA Web

Excel

Job description

Classification:

Non-Exempt

Reports to:

Housing Stability Manager

Location:

Manhattan, NY - multiple sites

Schedule:

Full-time, Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Lantern staff may be asked to adjust schedules based on operational needs.

Who We Are

Lantern Community Services helps New Yorkers impacted by homelessness move from surviving to thriving by pairing safe, supportive housing with wraparound services that build lasting stability and independence. Lantern was recognized as a Top 2025 Workplace by City & State New York.

About The Role

The Housing Stability Specialist works directly with low-income and special needs tenants applying for and residing in Lantern’s supportive housing programs. This role is responsible for supporting housing stability through intake, leasing compliance, rent collection coordination, and tenant engagement. The ideal candidate will have experience working with vulnerable populations and a strong understanding of housing compliance and subsidy programs. This position requires flexibility, strong organizational skills, and the ability to collaborate across departments.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

General Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality customer service to residents and applicants by responding to calls, messages, and emails in a timely and professional manner.
• Maintain accurate and complete tenant files, ensuring compliance with subsidy agencies, funders, and regulatory requirements, including LIHTC and other tax credit documentation.
• Manage vacancies in accordance with Lantern policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with clinical staff and property management to maintain a safe, clean, and supportive environment.
• Monitor occupancy rates and work with site teams to maintain at least 95% occupancy.

Intake

• Coordinate with referral sources and agencies to obtain applications for available units.
• Schedule, meet with, and interview applicants for assigned sites.
• Review and collect required eligibility documentation.
• Assist applicants with subsidy application preparation.
• Issue acceptance letters in coordination with leadership.
• Coordinate and facilitate new tenant move-ins in accordance with agency procedures.

Leasing & Compliance

• Ensure all tenant files are compliant with supportive housing and regulatory requirements, including move-ins, annual and interim recertifications, rent changes, and terminations.
• Prepare and track lease renewals and ensure timely completion of lease documentation.
• Complete income calculations for rent and subsidy eligibility.
• Maintain tracking systems and provide regular leasing and compliance reports.
• Participate in building management meetings and provide updates as needed.
• Maintain complete and organized files for all assigned properties.
• Delegate tasks to the Leasing Assistant, if applicable.

Rent Collection & Housing Stability

• Communicate regularly with funders and landlords, including submission of rent rolls and required reports.
• Review aging reports to identify tenants at risk of arrears.
• Oversee issuance of arrears notices and collaborate with program staff on interventions.
• Work with case management teams to support tenants in maintaining financial stability.
• Review incident reports to identify lease violations and collaborate on resolution plans.
• Coordinate with property management on non-payment and holdover proceedings when necessary.
• Ensure compliance with policies related to unit abandonment and re-rental.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Education And Experience

• Associate degree in a related field required; Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, mental illness, substance use, HIV/AIDS, or related challenges.
• Experience in leasing compliance, property management, supportive housing, or a related field preferred.
• Working knowledge of housing regulations including LIHTC, Section 8, NYCHA, HPD, DHCR, rent stabilization, and Fair Housing practices.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to engage tenants respectfully and professionally.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, and experience with databases such as CAPS or HASA Web preferred.
• Basic math skills required.

Work Environment:

This position operates in a supportive housing setting and works with individuals who may experience mental illness, substance use, disability, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic health conditions.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, climb stairs, and/or kneel. Occasionally, the employee may lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Note:

Lantern Community Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. Lantern values the diversity of our clients, staff, Board of Directors, and partners, and is committed to building inclusive, vibrant, and equitable communities.