Rent Assistance Housing Specialist

City Of Janesville Diversity Statement
The residents of Janesville choose this community, not just as a place to live, but as a place to realize life’s opportunities. We strive to sustain a community culture where differences are recognized, understood, and appreciated. As such, the City of Janesville recognizes the importance of developing an environment where diversity is not merely accepted but embraced and celebrated. As public servants, we believe everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.

To this end, we will diligently recruit and retain the most talented employees in an environment that fosters maximizing one’s potential. Therefore, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to consider employment with the City of Janesville and serve the residents of “Wisconsin’s Park Place”.

Under direct supervision of the Housing Services Director, this position provides housing support and case management to eligible Rent Assistance participants, ensures assisted housing is maintained in a decent, safe, and sanitary condition, supports family self‑sufficiency, and promotes fair housing. This position ensures compliance with federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Janesville Community Development Authority Administrative Plan rules and regulations.

Reports to:

Housing Services Director. Has work contact with appointed City officials, Department, Division, and Office heads, program participants and applicants, rental property owners and managers, City staff, outside agencies, business representatives, vendors, and the general public. Supervises:
None.

• Determines all aspects of initial eligibility of applicants and their position on the waiting list, including, but not limited to, verification of income assets, preference, citizenship or eligible immigration status, family composition, and complete criminal background review.
• Ensures persons not eligible for assistance are notified of their ineligibility within a reasonable amount of time and provided an opportunity to appeal the decision.
• Conducts individual and/or group orientation sessions reviewing program rules and regulations with new program participants; may also record virtual orientation videos.
• Maintains a system of ensuring that rent is reasonable for assisted rental unit; reviews rent for reasonableness and affordability before initial Lease Up; reviews landlord requests for rent increases thereafter.
• Ensures that contract and lease requirements are met, signed, and tenants understand landlord and tenant responsibilities.
• Reviews client files for accurate income and family composition information annually; applies appropriate payment standards and utility allowances.
• Calculates changes in tenant and rent assistance payments; notifies tenant and landlord of all changes in the amount of assistance provided.
• Conducts interim re‐examinations for current program participants; receives and reviews all changes in income, expenses, assets, and family composition; calculates changes in the amount of housing assistance provided.
• Develops and maintains rapport with future, current, and past program participants and landlords; responds to telephone and in‐person inquiries, provides general program information, and facilitates complaint resolution.
• Collects necessary information about possible program participant fraud or misrepresentation and takes appropriate action.
• Makes recommendations regarding program termination; prepares information for termination hearing, and represents the City in informal hearing process.
• Undertakes activities in support of the Family Self‐Sufficiency (FSS) Program.
• Assists in annual and periodic evaluation of the Rent Assistance Program.
• Maintains up‐to‐date knowledge of HUD program rules and regulations; recommends appropriate amendments and policy changes to the Administrative Plan to the Housing Services Director; reviews HUD circulars, memorandums, directives, and Federal Register proposed and final program rule changes.
• Undertakes activities to promote fair housing.
• Maintains accurate program records; periodically puts…