Occupancy Specialist

Northwest Neighborhoods; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Paid holidays

401(k) retirement match

Health insurance

Long-term disability

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Northwest Neighborhoods (NWN) is seeking an Occupancy Specialist to support residents in accessing safe, stable, and affordable housing across NWN’s portfolio. You will determine eligibility, handle leasing, and maintain occupancy records in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

You will collaborate with residents, community partners, and staff to promote housing stability and trauma-informed customer service, focusing on vulnerable populations and ensuring fair housing

Qualifications

• Minimum 1–3 years of experience in affordable housing or property management.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and customer service skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and data entry.
• Commitment to confidentiality and sensitive information handling.
• Familiarity with fair housing laws.

Responsibilities

• Assist applicants and residents through the affordable housing application and certification process.
• Determine program eligibility under LIHTC, HOME, HOPE VI, and related rules.
• Verify income, assets, employment, student status, and other eligibility data.
• Complete and maintain certifications and compliance documentation.
• Maintain resident files, waitlists, and applicant tracking systems.
• Process daily incoming payments and reconcile tenant accounts.
• Assist with audits, inspections, and file reviews.
• Support occupancy goals while ensuring compliance and fair housing.
• Provide resident-centered services using trauma-informed approaches.
• Collaborate with management to support resident stability and tenancy.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Customer service

Microsoft Office

Confidentiality

Trauma-informed practices

Fair Housing laws

Tools

Yardi Voyager

LIHTC knowledge

HUD familiarity

Job description

As a community-led non-profit provider of affordable housing, Northwest Neighborhoods (NWN) equitably fosters diverse, vibrant neighborhoods that are physically and socially connected, where anyone can thrive. Northwest Neighborhoods provides affordable housing to more than 320 households, owns and manages over 20 storefronts and commercial spaces, and stewards the historic Capitol Theatre.

Organization:

As a community-led non-profit provider of affordable housing, Northwest Neighborhoods (NWN) equitably fosters diverse, vibrant neighborhoods that are physically and socially connected, where anyone can thrive. Northwest Neighborhoods provides affordable housing to more than 320 households, owns and manages over 20 storefronts and commercial spaces, and stewards the historic Capitol Theatre.

Position Overview:

NWN is seeking an Occupancy Specialist to support individuals and families in accessing safe, stable, and affordable housing. This position is responsible for determining eligibility, leasing, and maintaining occupancy records for NWN’s portfolio while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

The Occupancy Specialist works collaboratively with residents, community partners, and internal staff to promote housing stability, provide trauma-informed customer service, and support the organization’s mission of serving the community through quality affordable housing. This role requires a compassionate approach when working with vulnerable populations, including individuals and families experiencing housing instability, financial hardship, disabilities, or other barriers to housing.

Reports to: Deputy Director of Property and Tenant Services

Responsibilities:

• Assist applicants and residents through the affordable housing application and certification process with professionalism, empathy, patience, and respect.
• Determine program eligibility in accordance with applicable housing regulations, including LIHTC, HOME, HOPE VI, and others.
• Verify income, assets, employment, student status, and other eligibility information through third-party verification methods.
• Complete and maintain initial certifications and related compliance documentation; be crossed trained in annual and interim certifications.
• Maintain accurate and organized resident files, electronic records, waitlists, and applicant tracking systems.
• Process and post daily incoming payments in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Review and reconcile tenant accounts to ensure accuracy and resolve discrepancies.
• Assist with audits, inspections, and file reviews as needed.
• Assist residents with housing requirements, documentation, and community resource referrals.
• Support occupancy goals while ensuring program compliance and fair housing standards.
• Provide resident-centered services using a trauma-informed approach.
• Address resident concerns through clear communication and problem-solving.
• Collaborate with property management, resident services, and compliance staff to support resident stability and successful tenancy.
  

Required Qualifications:

• 1–3 years of experience in affordable housing, property management, and/or related field
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and customer service skills
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices and ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Knowledge of Fair Housing laws and commitment to equitable housing practices
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Familiarity with LIHTC, HUD, or other affordable housing compliance programs
• Experience with Yardi Voyager
• Housing stability and eviction prevention experience
• Experience working with vulnerable populations or in a human services environment

Physical Demands:

This role operates in both office and on-site property environments, with regular travel between affordable housing communities. May involve engagement with residents experiencing crisis situations requiring empathy, discretion, and professional judgment. Ability to operate a computer and keyboard. May require reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping and feeling, and the ability to lift or move objects up to 20 pounds. May require vocal communication for expressing or exchanging ideas, hearing to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, visual acuity for color perception, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities.

Equal Opportunity:

Northwest Neighborhoods CDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NWN’s Commitment to Equity and Inclusion

NWN is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable working environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ individuals are encouraged to apply.

Compensation:

• Annual salary range: $40,000–45,000, commensurate with experience/qualifications
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrued at a rate of one (1) day per month during the first year of employment, then 18 days annually beginning the second year of employment
• 14 paid holidays annually
• Employer contribution to 403(B) retirement program: employer will provide a 50% match to the Employee’s contribution up to a maximum of 3% of the employee’s annual salary
• Competitive health insurance offered with 75% employer contribution
• Long-term disability benefits
• Opportunities for professional growth within a mission-driven nonprofit advancing affordable housing and strong communities