Case Representative - Housing Assistance Vouc

POSSIBLE HYBRID WORKPLACE OPPORTUNITIY

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is the State’s affordable housing agency, with a mission to build, preserve, and protect affordable housing and increase home ownership throughout New York State.

This position is on HCR's Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC). HTFC is a public benefit corporation, and a Civil Service exam is not required for this position. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications outlined below to be considered.

NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. HCR is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. HCR embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.

This position shall deliver critical rental assistance to unhoused, low‑income families. They will support the ongoing operation of the newly created New York State Housing Access Voucher Program Pilot (“HAVPP”) on behalf of NYS Homes and Community Renewal (“HCR”) in counties in the Capital Region, Hudson Valley and North Country. HAVPP is a new, state‑funded voucher modeled after the federal Section 8 program.

HCR will serve roughly 700 unhoused families statewide with monthly rental assistance subsidy paid to landlords, ensuring tenants pay no more than 30% of their income to housing costs. HAVPP will be delivered using a combination of State staff and Local Administrators (“LAs”) under contract with HCR.

The HAVPP Representative will be assigned to directly manage a caseload of HAVPP applicants and participants, while also providing oversight and quality assurance to cases managed by LAs. HCR will receive applications for assistance in HAVPP from families who have been referred by local Departments of Social Services via an online portal. The HAVPP representative will use the Emphasys Elite data solution, a well‑known Section 8 software product, to process applications, determine eligibility, calculate subsidy, issue vouchers, and monitor LAs.

Duties:
Remain knowledgeable on the State HAVPP Statute and Administrative Plan as well as federal Section 8 rules being applied to this program.

• Participate in program and software training for case management; coordinate trainings with LAs and state partners.
• Manage a caseload of 100‑200 cases in counties served directly by HCR; for new applicants, accept and review applications based on current program rules, conduct eligibility determinations, calculate subsidy based on present income, issue vouchers, determine rent reasonableness, schedule property inspections, assist families with their housing search, and review leases.
• Engage in post‑move follow up to ensure families remain successfully housed and conduct annual recertifications and interims as needed.
• Conduct Quality Control (“QC”) file reviews as necessary for HAVPP in counties assigned to LAs; schedule desk reviews and site visits to monitor LAs; identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in all areas of program administration; report on QC metrics as assigned.
• Review the performance of the Local Administrators (“LAs”) assigned to administer HAVPP; report on LA performance as required.
• Maintain confidentiality of data received from applicants, participants, landlords and state agencies; follow established procedures to safeguard data and maintain a secure environment.
• Respond to inquiries and complaints from tenants, landlords, local elected officials, and other stakeholders regarding HAVPP.
• Identify and report any potential fraudulent or criminal activity in relation to HAVPP.
• Strive to maintain a utilization rate of 95 percent or greater across HAVPP.
• Ensure services are fully accessible to all eligible families regardless of language or immigration status; travel to visit applicants, participants, landlords, and LAs in person where necessary.
• Comply with all Fair Housing requirements…