Programs Specialist

Housing Program Specialist

Perform a variety of client-service tasks in the development, implementation, and delivery of housing services to new and continuing Section 8 program participants. Determine continuing eligibility, reasonable rents, and participant portion of those rents. Conduct unit inspections to insure rentals are decent, safe and sanitary. Provide program information and requirements to participants and landlords. Assure program compliance and required record maintenance.

Recruit prospective landlords.

This classification is distinguished from the Eligibility Specialist by the requirements to work with clients, units, and landlords in the day-to-day field administration of the HUD Section 8 program. In addition, it conducts certification and verification of eligibility for program participation, the determination of reasonable rents, and the review of leases, notices, and other paperwork associated with Section 8 housing assistance within an environment of privately held units.

It differs from the Section 8 Supervisor by the latter's responsibility for continuing supervision, training, and overall administration of a number of Housing Program Specialists administering a variety of Section 8-related programs.

Receives direct supervision and direction from the Section 8 Supervisor and Housing Programs Analyst as necessary. This classification exercises no supervision over other Authority employees; however, may give lead direction to assigned clerical employees.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Verify and document information provided by prospective and current tenants for certification. Determine income and allowances; compute total tenant payment; determine appropriate rent;
  Authority Program payments; and utility allowances. Send out notices of approval/disapproval. Explain methodology to participants.
• Conduct Housing Quality Standard (HQS) inspections of Section 8 program units (e.g. annual, interim, and close-out inspections). Initiate and follow-up on repairs for HQS compliance.
• Determine client eligibility for continued assistance and unit and owner eligibility for participation in the Section 8 program. Provide program information, concerning a variety of programs, to prospective and participating landlords and assisted tenants.
• Counsel tenants on unit affordability and the maintenance of decent, safe, and sanitary housing. Advise and counsel clients and landlords concerning housing situations and problems. Motivate clients to meet program goals. Explain program procedures and objectives to program participants at assigned briefings. Conduct both individual and group briefing sessions to advised eligible tenants on obtaining leased units.
• Perform interim eligibility determinations based on changes in participant income, family status, and landlord rent increases. Perform annual eligibility determination to determine if eligibility has been properly maintained.
• Determine termination of participants from housing program assistance. Notify both participants and landlords.
• Calculate money owed to the Authority, set up repayment schedules, monitor payments, and terminate program participants in cases of fraud or other misconduct.
• Mediate disputes between tenants and landlords to resolve claim charges resulting from inspections. Make judgments on evidence submitted.
• Prepare a variety of periodic reports and maintain accurate participant records. Check accuracy of checks being sent to participating landlords.
• Input necessary data into the Authority computer system. Maintain an accurate and comprehensive program database for statistical and reporting purposes.
• Process contracts/leases. Review leases, eviction notices, and rent increases.
• Advise and implement portability opportunities and coordinate with other housing authorities to insure effective and efficient transfer of tenants.
• Maintain an awareness of housing availability and be alert to the prospect of recruitment of landlords to participate in the Section 8 program. May conduct a full-time program of landlord outreach and education to recruit new owners to participate in the Section 8 program, as assigned.
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