Advocate

Job Description

Housing Advocate

Department:
Housing Occupancy

Reports To:

Housing Manager

This position handles initial intake and eligibility for NAHASDA native preference Home ownership, Rental, and Weatherization programs in addition to marketing Housing Authority Enterprise units to the community. This position is highly interactive and engaged, and will be a professional liaison between the participants and the agency; must have the ability to maintain a customer based, cooperative, and communicative relationship with all applicants, tenants, coworkers, and community services entities.

Position is responsible for all application functions required to admit, verify, and screen applicants for initial eligibility and participation in all Housing Authority programs;
Assist applicants with identifying eligibility qualifiers;
Determine appropriate Housing Authority services for their needs;
Utilize all available resources to assist applicant in meeting eligibility requirements; log all client information into the Housing Data System (HDS).

• Responsible for understanding all home ownership, rental, and weatherization assistance programs of the Housing authority; guide applicants to proper programs according to their needs and eligibility determinants.
• Responsible for assisting clients in the application process in accordance with Admissions and Occupancy policies;
  Completing the application, identifying required documents, collecting required documents and signatures, verifying necessary information, and explaining Housing Authority programs.
• Responsible for processing applications, entering and updating data into HDS, screening for appropriate program eligibility, and prompt notification to applicants of eligibility or ineligibility.
• Responsible for ensuring participant hardship cases are afforded reasonable, prompt assistance in accordance with Admissions and Occupancy policy.
• Responsible for providing informal appeal summary to appeals committee for individuals and families denied initial eligibility. Develop Housing contracts for individuals and families who have successfully appealed initial ineligibility in conjunction with appeals committee decision and Family Self Sufficiency Coordinator.
• Responsible for tracking all vacancies and maintaining a current waiting list of applicants for all unit types and programs as established in KIHA Admission and Occupancy Policies. Responsible for prompt notification of wait listed applicants of unit or program availability.
• Responsible for referring non-eligible applicants to additional available resources / Assist non-eligible applicants through referral to other housing resource programs.
• Assist the Housing Advisor in scheduling repair work identified in the move out inspection for vacated units through the Maintenance work order system.
• Responsible for coordinating vacant unit type priorities with the Housing Advisor and Maintenance Department.
• Assist Housing Advisor and Housing Manager with Move-in, Move-out, and annual inspections of KIHA's housing programs; includes potential travel to villages via small aircraft.
• Responsible to work professionally and effectively with applicants, tenants, coworkers, and community partners. Responsible to be highly interactive, available, and engaged.
• Responsible to know and understand Housing rental, ownership, and weatherization programs, and work closely with Housing Advisor and Mortgage/ Rental Assistance Specialist.