Eligibility Specialist

Starting Rate: $26.69
Full Position Range: $26.69 - 38.65
Position Classification: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Union Represented

Spokane Housing Authority Mission Statement: To collaborate to create and sustain quality affordable housing options that support people to have better, healthier, and more satisfying lives.

Great PTO Accrual
0-2 years = 15 days a year
3-4 years = 27 days a year
5-9 years = 30 days a year
10-14 years = 33 days a year
15-19 years = 37.5 days a year
20+ years = 40.5 days a year
Days based off 8 hours

• 13 Paid Holidays
• Employer-paid medical for our basic employee plan
• Employer-paid dental for employee plan
• Employer-paid vision for employee plan
• Employer paid Long Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Flexible scheduling
• Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) – Pension-style retirement program

Under the direct supervision of a Housing Programs Supervisor, the Eligibility Specialist performs a variety of essential day-to-day functions associated with the department of assisted housing; interviews applicants and participants; conducts briefings and orientations; executes housing assistance payment contracts and other related documents; assures accurate and timely housing assistance payments; and maintains a caseload for annual and interim eligibility rental subsidy determinations.

• Contribute to achieving the SHA mission, compliance, and the effective and efficient administration of rental assistance programs, in accordance with applicable federal, state, local, and agency regulations, rules, laws, and procedures.
• Identify applicants, participants, and landlords that may have limited English proficiency (LEP) and coordinate with customers and interpreters when translation services are needed.
• Perform administrative work involving applicant and client interviewing, eligibility status, leasing, and case management, including:
• Interview housing applicants and verify all documentation provided for eligibility criteria. Make the final determination as to eligibility for rental assistance programs in accordance with applicable established program regulations and policies.
• Sends applicant correspondence including briefing information, denial letter(s), expired vouchers and properly removes applicants from the waiting list in accordance with HUD regulation and SHA policy.
• Input client and landlord data into the SHA’s database program(s), and keep legible records on each individual client. Document and report all issues to your assigned Housing Programs Specialist.
• Prepare contracts and vouchers for new participants and for active participants who have moved.
• Conduct income certifications, re-certifications, rent adjustments, eligibility determinations, and reasonable accommodations in accordance with program guidelines. Calculate client’s rental portion and housing assistance using the proper allowances, then send appropriate correspondence.
• Review information for program participants transferring in from other housing authorities and comply with established HUD guidelines for portability.
• Actively participate in briefings session processes including scheduling time, assembling briefing packets and periodically updating information for briefing forms and presentations; and conducts oral and visual presentations to inform groups of applicants, participants, or landlords of program policies and procedures.
• Identify and recovers over payments of assistance due to participants’ non-compliance with program regulations and policies.
• Terminate assistance in accordance with program guidelines and prepare the informal hearing packet by gathering and organizing evidence for the Housing Programs Specialist to review for the informal hearing.
• Refer clients, as appropriate, to social services such as health, welfare, and education programs for improving family and community standards.
• File or retain all expired/inactive files in accordance with records retention policy.
• Serves as primary backup for front desk duties, including:
• Greets office visitors and clients with courteous and proper attention, ensuring proper…