Rental Assistance Specialist
Heading Home's mission is to end homelessness in Greater Boston by providing a supported pathway to self-sufficiency that begins with a home, together with critical services such as life skills, financial literacy, and job training.
Founded in 1974, Heading Home is a leading provider of housing and support services for extremely low-income individuals and families currently or formerly experiencing homelessness in Greater Boston. For nearly 50 years, we have successfully helped thousands of people end their homelessness.
As an agency, our services are diverse; we provide emergency, transitional, and permanent housing, and support services, to extremely low-income individuals and families currently or formerly experiencing homelessness.
We are proud to share that for 17 years running, Heading Home's permanent housing retention rates have been 90%+. Last year, 97% of Heading Home clients remained housed after one year.
Job Title: Rental Assistance Specialist, Real Estate
Reports To: Director of Real Estate
Position Type: Full Time, Non-Exempt
Location: Boston, MA
Hourly Rate: $24.76- $26.47
Overview:
The Rental Assistance Specialist (RAS) will provide compliance, leasing, and recertification support to the Greater Boston Tenant Based (GBTB) and Tri-City Rental Assistance programs.
Responsibilities:
- Initial certification of new households including income and asset verification as well as tenant rent calculation,
- Annual Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract preparation between property owners and Heading Home
- Annual recertification and interim recertification, processing including income and asset verification as well as tenant rent calculation,
- Perform annual and as-needed rent reasonableness and fair market rent comps.
- Determine utility allowance (UA) for reasonable utility consumption for each unit.
- Perform annual HQS inspections for each unit
- Maintaining up to date and well-organized client files
- Facilitating communication between property owners, tenants, and internal and external social service providers to ensure lease compliance and successful tenancies
- Maintaining and sharing knowledge of HUD CoC (Continuum of Care) rental assistance program guidelines (training and resources provided)
- Maintain familiarity with relevant housing laws and regulations around Fair Housing and Landlord/Tenant laws to assist in tenant advocacy as appropriate
- Participate in all required training and professional development activities
- Observe all program and agency rules and policies
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- High School Diploma with Relevant Experience
- 1-2 years in an administrative role
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Certified Occupancy Specialist
- Experience in facilities management; safety, sustainability of buildings, grounds, infrastructure, and real estate, preferred
- Experience in property management, compliance, leasing, recertification, or affordable housing administration preferred but not required
- High attention to detail
- Familiarity with AppFolio, Yardi, OneSite or other property management software systems preferred but not required
- Access to a vehicle with ability to travel between programs
- Willingness to work as part of a team to promote the goals of the agency
- Sensitive to the needs of people experiencing homelessness, low income and diverse populations
- Ability to work in a busy, diverse team setting
- Excellent time management, organizational and communication skills
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Heading Home, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or other legally protected status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.
Work Environment
Cubicle space within large office building; prolonged sitting at a desk and working on a computer, ability to climb up to three floors of stairs, ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds.