Housing Counselor

Housing Operations Management Enterprises (HOME) Inc. seeks to fill a full-time position for a Housing Counselor to assist the Director of Housing Counseling Programs (HCP) in administering various housing counseling programs, e.g., the department's current program is a newly-initiated five-year HUD Mobility Counseling Services program for central and southwest Connecticut. Past programs include mobility counseling search assistance services to numerous rental subsidy agencies including the Connecticut Department of Housing, the Connecticut Department of Social Services, Elm City Communities / Housing Authority of the City of New Haven, and the City of New Haven. Past programs also include mobility-oriented relocation of families and individuals for a number of clients. Under these various programs, and with the training/oversight of the Director of the HCP, the Housing Counselor will recruit families, especially those with school-aged children, and individuals in possession of State-issued S8 subsidies and persons with other housing needs. This position reports directly to the Director of Housing Counseling Programs.

We seek candidates with the proven ability to relate effectively with a diverse population, e.g., HOME staff, program participants, housing owners/landlords, subsidy administrators and other personnel as well as community providers.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Complete client intakes, identified needs assessments, housing service plans, releases, as well as budget and other financial services, including credit repair;
• Assist with all educational workshops facilitated by the Director and briefings held by the Program Administrator for new subsidy holders;
• Offer housing options/landlords in high opportunity areas clients. This will be achieved through individual and group counseling. As requested, contact / negotiate with landlords with housing in opportunity areas;
• As requested, act as a liaison with client’s assigned housing authority;
• Connect client with referrals to needed support services;
• Assist client with credit repair or criminal record expungement;
• Assist clients with any required paperwork for lease up;
• Assist in the preparation of various program reports to funders and others as requested by the Director;
• Assist the Director producing in-house materials used by the program;
• All other tasks as required by the Program Director.

Summary of Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years’ experience at a non-profit, preferably in the low-income housing field;
• General familiarity with fair housing laws; especially Section 8 and RAP/
• Associates Degree required, however, a combination of some completed college-level courses along with 4 years’ experience in the housing and/or community services field, or a combination thereof, may be substituted for the degree; Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Excellent record keeping/organizational skills, as well as competent computer skills in a Microsoft Office environment;
• Ability to follow through on assigned tasks with minimal supervision;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with a diverse population;
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred
• Professional demeanor;
• Working knowledge of the Section 8 and RAP subsidy programs;
• Must be willing to travel into low-income and other areas in and around the New Haven, Fairfield and Middlesex County communities; and
• Must hold a current CT driver’s license and have the daily use of a legally registered and properly insured vehicle.

Housing Operations Management Enterprises (HOME) Inc. is an

Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer