Housing Specialist

Position Summary

The Housing Specialist supports the Housing Assistance Department (HAD) by collaboratively addressing the housing stability needs of program participants and ensuring housing program integrity.

• Research, monitor, and properly interprets funding rules and regulations for various housing programs, including HUD.
• Facilitates households with completing funding source and housing application paperwork.
• Accurately verifies eligibility for funding sources in accordance with all regulations including income, household composition, payment assistance for rent, utilities, or move-in expenses, and other standards.
• As assigned and within the scope of Voucher Administration, assists with housing searches, orientations, inspections, and lease-ups.
• Conducts housing orientations, inspections, solicit and completes paperwork to ensure compliance for eligible funding sources.
• Monitors and documents rental units that fail inspection. Imposes sanctions of rent abatement for units not meeting repair deadlines.
• Outreaches and engages program participants on an as needed basis. This may include meeting with program participants in the office, on the streets, in the shelters, at places of employment, or in their rental units to ensure housing program activities are completed.
• Identifies and collaboratively resolves conflicts with and between parties which may include rent and lease negotiations.
• Coordinates with housing related agencies and partners to ensure housing stability for households by ensuring the accurate and timely submission of required documentation and payments
• Demonstrates competency in all data base systems including Colorado’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), Emphasys/Elite, Hub Spot, Microsoft Teams, or other tools and applications that the Housing Assistance Department utilizes to perform work.
• Tracks and coordinates assigned tasks, projects, and programs.
• Ensures accurate data collection and entry to maintain fidelity in internal and external reporting systems to ensure reporting complies with legal and funding requirements. When assigned, prepares reports for HAD Leadership.
• Collaborates with Coalition programs and outside service providers to ensure a coordination of care for households upon transfer from Housing Navigation.
• Regularly consults with HAD Leadership on training needs, operational issues, and program improvements.
• Actively participates in meetings, as assigned
• Respond to contacts in a professional, accurate, meaningful, and timely manner.
• Maintains a recovery-focuses and trauma informed work environment that is marked by respect for others, values inclusiveness, builds workforce diversity, and that fosters cooperation and teamwork.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in social service-related field preferred. 4 or more years of experience in human services or homeless services related field may be substituted for education.
• Must have and maintain in good standing, a Colorado drivers license within 30 days of hire

• Prior experience working with HUD regulations and/or subsidized housing programs preferred.
• Prior experience working with people who are experiencing homelessness or who have come from homelessness preferred.

• Sound critical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Consistently superb customer service skills; excellent interpersonal/assertive communications skills demonstrating a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Experience working with people who are experiencing homelessness or who have come from homelessness preferred.
• Knowledge of homeless issues and demonstrated sensitivity to and a desire to work with underserved populations.
• K…