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

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by the incumbent. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Determines all aspects of initial eligibility of applicants and their position on the waiting list, including verification of income assets, preference, citizenship or eligible immigration status, family composition, and complete criminal background review.
• Notifies ineligible applicants and provides opportunities to appeal.
• Conducts orientation sessions reviewing program rules and regulations with new program participants; may record orientation videos.
• Maintains rent reasonableness and affordability before initial Lease Up; reviews landlord requests for rent increases thereafter.
• Ensures contract and lease requirements are met, and tenants understand landlord and tenant responsibilities.
• Reviews client files for accurate income and family composition information annually; applies payment standards and utility allowances.
• Calculates changes in tenant and rent assistance payments; notifies tenant and landlord of changes.
• Conducts interim re-examinations; reviews changes in income, expenses, assets, and family composition; calculates changes in housing assistance.
• Develops and maintains rapport with participants and landlords; responds to inquiries and facilitates complaint resolution.
• Collects information about potential program participant fraud or misrepresentation and takes appropriate action.
• Makes recommendations regarding program termination; prepares information for termination hearings and represents the City in informal hearings.
• Performs activities in support of the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program.
• Assists in annual and periodic evaluation of the Rent Assistance Program.
• Maintains knowledge of HUD program rules and regulations; recommends amendments to the Administrative Plan; reviews HUD circulars and related directives.
• Undertakes activities to promote fair housing.
• Maintains accurate program records; handles filing and retrieval as needed.
• Types and composes correspondence, forms, brochures, manuals, and administrative policies.
• Coordinates with other Housing Authorities when transferring vouchers between jurisdictions.
• Prepares Housing Assistance Payments for processing on a bi-monthly basis.
• Reviews…