Impactful Affordable Housing Programs Specialist

Kinsley Power Systems; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Cambridge is seeking a Rental Housing Program Specialist to review eligibility, income certification, recertification, and program documentation while developing and enforcing policies, workflows, and compliance practices.

The role coordinates with residents, property managers, developers, nonprofit partners, and City staff; provides training, outreach, and technical assistance to advance equitable, efficient affordable housing administration; supports data reporting and program

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, urban planning, urban studies, public administration, public policy, management, business, housing policy, community development, or a related field.
• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in affordable housing or related field.
• Experience with program administration, eligibility review, compliance, and stakeholder coordination.

Responsibilities

• Manage and administer components of the City’s affordable housing programs for residents and applicants of the Inclusionary Housing Rental Programs.
• Oversee applicant eligibility reviews, income certifications, annual recertifications, resident compliance reviews, waiting pool administration, preference group tracking, unit matching, and resident selection processes to ensure compliance with fair housing, equity, and program requirements.
• Coordinate applicant, resident, and property manager communications, educational workshops, counseling services, information sessions, trainings, and unit tours; guide applicants through the application, lease-up, recertification, and transfer processes.
• Develop and maintain relationships with residents, applicants, service providers, property managers, and City staff to better serve our constituency.
• Oversee resident, applicant, and property-related requests related to lease-up, transfers, recertifications, vacancies, inspections, tenancy issues, building concerns, and available support resources.
• Collaborate with residents, property managers, service providers, and City staff to address program concerns, support resident engagement and compliance activities, and provide technical assistance related to program operations and administration.
• Conduct affordable rent calculations, compliance reviews, applicant and resident eligibility reviews, recertification processes, vacancy processing; implement program systems and workflows and participate in and support efforts to enhance operational efficiency and program coordination.
• Maintain, track, and update applicant, resident, property, vacancy, inspection, recertification, information in program databases, spreadsheets, online application systems, and other housing management tools.
• Coordinate and facilitate trainings for property management staff, service providers, or program partners regarding affordable housing program requirements, application processes, recertification procedures, resident compliance, and related administrative responsibilities.
• Lead information sessions and participate in outreach, education, marketing, community events, and community engagement activities to promote program awareness and participation; maintain program materials; and provide support and technical assistance to program participants.
• Prepare reports, memoranda, and data analyses related to program operations, compliance, utilization, and planning activities; maintain accurate program records and databases; evaluate participant feedback and program outcomes.
• Maintain current knowledge of affordable housing program requirements, eligibility standards, fair housing, rental compliance requirements, and housing policies and apply this knowledge in program administration.

Skills

Multilingual

Public speaking

Customer service

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree (related field)

5–7 years affordable housing experience

Tools

CRM

Housing management software

Job description

City of Cambridge is seeking a Rental Housing Program Specialist to review eligibility, income certification, recertification, and program documentation while developing and enforcing policies, workflows, and compliance practices.

The role coordinates with residents, property managers, developers, nonprofit partners, and City staff; provides training, outreach, and technical assistance to advance equitable, efficient affordable housing administration; supports data reporting and program