Program Specialist, Homeownership

The Program Specialist, Home ownership serves as the primary point of contact for one or more contracted agencies or internal CHA programs and is responsible for ensuring that the program and scope of work is executed with the highest quality and efficiency. This role includes designing, coordinating, and implementing home ownership-focused workshops, sourcing and engaging a variety of community stakeholders, and fostering partnerships to deliver robust educational opportunities for residents.

The Program Specialist will also be responsible for tracking, analyzing, and reporting program data; delivering engaging presentations; and leveraging social media marketing to promote home ownership resources, workshops, and success stories.

• Serve as a point of contact and oversee deliverables for contracted agencies in CHA’s home ownership models, including the Choose to Own and Down Payment Assistance programs.
• Develop, coordinate, and facilitate home ownership-related workshops, including sourcing speakers and collaborating with community partners, lenders, real estate professionals, and nonprofit organizations to deliver impactful content.
• Identify, engage, and maintain relationships with key stakeholders—including community organizations, housing counseling agencies, and other resource providers—to expand the breadth of services available to residents.
• Respond to program inquiries from prospective participants and partners within two business days, interact via email/phone, and lead large group information sessions (virtually and/or in-person).
• Assist with or initiate marketing activities—including targeted social media campaigns—to increase awareness of CHA’s home ownership programs and community resources.
• Collect, analyze, and report program data, including workshop attendance, participant progress, and outcomes, ensuring data accuracy and timely submission of reports.
• Provide technical assistance to residents/participants interested in home ownership or down payment assistance, guiding them through processes and connecting them to relevant resources.
• Conduct bi-weekly check-ins with participants to monitor and track progress toward home ownership goals.
• Design and distribute program surveys, capture qualitative and quantitative feedback, and review best practices to ensure continuous program improvement.
• Maintain applicant/participant files and waitlists for the Down Payment Assistance program.
• Coordinate with the Housing Choice Voucher program to ensure a smooth transition into home ownership.
• Deliver presentations to internal and external audiences, tailoring content to diverse community needs and literacy levels.
• Explore and recommend additional home ownership models and strategies to support CHA residents’ economic empowerment.
• Represent CHA at community events, housing fairs, and stakeholder meetings to promote home ownership initiatives.
• This position requires occasional Saturday work for outreach and community events.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, including evening work as required.

This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of two (2) years of prior work experience in affordable housing, home ownership counseling, or down payment assistance programs. In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree: a combination of four (4) years of education and three (3) years of prior work experience in affordable housing, home ownership counseling, or down payment assistance programs.

Experience developing and facilitating community-based workshops, for local, state and federal housing programs particularly in home ownership or similar programs, with demonstrated ability to build and sustain partnerships with community stakeholders, housing counseling agencies, and down payment and homebuyer resource providers. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) with proven ability to create and deliver presentations both virtually and in-person.

Strong data collection, analysis, and reporting skills; experience with Yardi or similar databases preferred. Knowledge of local, state, and federal home ownership programs and resources a plus.…