What are the responsibilities and job description for the Housing Specialist position at Boston Housing Authority?
Unit: Teamster
Department: Leased Housing
Grade: 8A
Salary Range: Starting Salary: $64,049.72
Posting Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Application Deadline: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Application Procedure
Please submit a cover letter and resume detailing your qualification. No phone calls or letters. Submit your resume, cover letter, and any additional materials to jobs@bostonhousing.org. Deadline: Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Please be sure to identify the position you are applying for.
General Description
ABOUT US:
Boston Housing Authority (BHA) fosters sustainable communities by providing quality affordable housing, bringing stability, opportunity, and peace of mind to thousands of low and moderate-income families across Greater Boston and the City of Boston as a whole. As the largest provider of affordable housing in Boston, one of the most expensive cities in the country, BHA understands housing as a crucial platform for individual, household, and community stability. Through its Public Housing communities and Section 8 rental assistance programs, BHA provides housing assistance and services to more than 58,000 low and moderate-income households, including families with children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. In all aspects of our operations, internally and externally, BHA is committed to breaking down the barriers to racial equity and justice in housing and related fields that disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities.
Diversity And Inclusion
As a proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, physical or mental disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, and military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by local, state or federal law. To the greatest extent possible, it is the policy of BHA to give preference in employment to BHA residents, leased housing residents, and low-income persons. As a housing authority, we recognize the historical role that residential racial segregation has played in the City of Boston. The BHA of today and in the future will actively address and dismantle barriers to becoming a diverse, equitable, and inclusive city.
About The Job
Hybrid office/remote position. Reports to a Manager in the Leased Housing Division. The Housing Specialist is responsible for all duties relating to clients eligible for BHA leased housing programs, including but not limited to: certification of initial and continued eligibility, redetermination of participant income upon request, preparation and execution of all necessary documents to complete leasing associated initial occupancy and relocation, serving as a primary point of contact for owners with BHA clients as tenants, and serving as a liaison for owners and tenants with other divisions of the Leased Housing Department and the BHA.
Duties & Responsibilities
High school diploma or GED is required. A Bachelor';s Degree is preferred. Demonstrated ability to assess eligibility with accuracy and resolve complex related matters. Relevant experience may be substituted for education requirements. The capacity to perform simple mathematical calculations quickly and accurately is required. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Ability to relate positively and in a professional manner to persons of all races, ethnicities, income levels and age groups. Proficiency in a language other than English is highly desirable.
Bha Benefits
BHA's generous benefits package includes 14 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 2 weeks of vacation, 3 weeks of paid sick leave, MBTA discount, participation in the City's pension plan, and healthcare through the Commonwealth, and much more.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Please submit a cover letter and resume to: jobs@bostonhousing.org
Please be sure to identify the full name of the position your are applying for.
Thank you.
Department: Leased Housing
Grade: 8A
Salary Range: Starting Salary: $64,049.72
Posting Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Application Deadline: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Application Procedure
Please submit a cover letter and resume detailing your qualification. No phone calls or letters. Submit your resume, cover letter, and any additional materials to jobs@bostonhousing.org. Deadline: Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Please be sure to identify the position you are applying for.
General Description
ABOUT US:
Boston Housing Authority (BHA) fosters sustainable communities by providing quality affordable housing, bringing stability, opportunity, and peace of mind to thousands of low and moderate-income families across Greater Boston and the City of Boston as a whole. As the largest provider of affordable housing in Boston, one of the most expensive cities in the country, BHA understands housing as a crucial platform for individual, household, and community stability. Through its Public Housing communities and Section 8 rental assistance programs, BHA provides housing assistance and services to more than 58,000 low and moderate-income households, including families with children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. In all aspects of our operations, internally and externally, BHA is committed to breaking down the barriers to racial equity and justice in housing and related fields that disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities.
Diversity And Inclusion
As a proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, physical or mental disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, and military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by local, state or federal law. To the greatest extent possible, it is the policy of BHA to give preference in employment to BHA residents, leased housing residents, and low-income persons. As a housing authority, we recognize the historical role that residential racial segregation has played in the City of Boston. The BHA of today and in the future will actively address and dismantle barriers to becoming a diverse, equitable, and inclusive city.
About The Job
Hybrid office/remote position. Reports to a Manager in the Leased Housing Division. The Housing Specialist is responsible for all duties relating to clients eligible for BHA leased housing programs, including but not limited to: certification of initial and continued eligibility, redetermination of participant income upon request, preparation and execution of all necessary documents to complete leasing associated initial occupancy and relocation, serving as a primary point of contact for owners with BHA clients as tenants, and serving as a liaison for owners and tenants with other divisions of the Leased Housing Department and the BHA.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Determines program eligibility, voucher size and applicable payment standards in calculating total tenant share for applicant and participant families in accordance with HUD or DHCD regulations and BHA policy.
- Collects income, asset, and deduction verification in accordance with Federal Regulations, BHA policy and business practices.
- Calculates family annual income in accordance with BHA policy by reviewing information including, but not limited to, family eligibility questionnaire, pay stubs, benefits statements, statements from financial institutions, and other verification related to eligible expenses and deductions to annual income.
- Counsels family on program requirements, including, but not limited to reporting requirements, family obligations, requests for relocation and the impact of proposed rent increases.
- Counsels clients on program requirements and housing search.
- Counsels clients individually during the housing search; monitors voucher expiration, recommends extensions of time and cancels certificates upon expiration.
- Recieves the Request for Lease Approval and arranges for inspections of housing units.
- Assists the client with negotiating the rent with the landlord to minimize monthly tenant payments and maintain program affordability. Responds timely to requests and inquiries from clients and staff, by phone, in person and by written communications.
- Works collaboratively with clients, owners, and other stakeholders to provide the information, services or assistance needed in a timely and professional manner.
- Completes all certifications in a timely manner to ensure proper notice and prompt payment to the landlord and family.
- Enters accurate information into the BHA system of record and completes accurate and timely 50058s for submission to HUD.
- Maintains required correspondence and documents in client electronic files per Leased Housing's required protocol.
- Notifies program applicants, participants, and owners in a timely manner of the results of program transactions.
- Understands and applies HUD or DHCD regulations, and BHA policies and procedures.
- Works collaboratively with Leased Housing's quality control team to correct errors.
- Reviews and takes appropriate action for program non-compliance, including recommending proposed termination of assistance.
- Performs other related housing specialist duties as required.
High school diploma or GED is required. A Bachelor';s Degree is preferred. Demonstrated ability to assess eligibility with accuracy and resolve complex related matters. Relevant experience may be substituted for education requirements. The capacity to perform simple mathematical calculations quickly and accurately is required. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Ability to relate positively and in a professional manner to persons of all races, ethnicities, income levels and age groups. Proficiency in a language other than English is highly desirable.
Bha Benefits
BHA's generous benefits package includes 14 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 2 weeks of vacation, 3 weeks of paid sick leave, MBTA discount, participation in the City's pension plan, and healthcare through the Commonwealth, and much more.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Please submit a cover letter and resume to: jobs@bostonhousing.org
Please be sure to identify the full name of the position your are applying for.
Thank you.
Salary : $64,050
