Housing Specialist

Housing Specialist

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• 1 year of experience in affordable housing program and/or property management preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Strong organization and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• YARDI experience strongly preferred.
• Certification as a Tax Credit Specialist (TCS) is preferred. Members of the Housing team are encouraged to earn the certification within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Become a subject matter expert on affordable programs, corporate housing, and/or employee housing within an assigned portfolio.
• Coordinate activities related to assigned programs or housing types including leasing, move-ins, lease renewals and recertifications.
• Manage lease expirations and deadlines for individual residents and/or corporates as well as quarterly/annual community recertifications (if required) and any additional program requirements.
• Assist in the management of the community affordable waitlists.
• Track and manage all BMR vacancies, effectively work the appropriate wait lists, market available apartments and work with the cities/counties/programs to ensure vacancy remains below 30-days.
• Be customer focused to achieve maximum occupancy and resident retention.
• Maintain a 24-hour response time for all corporate and employee housing requests.
• Establish city, program, corporate, and inter-department relationships to support business needs and provide a smooth transition for all parties.
• Maintain program compliance for programs within the assigned portfolio.
• Report on trends, causes of issues, and provide resolution insights.
• Timely and accurate record keeping ensuring compliance and correct reporting.
• Maintain delinquency at or below budgeted parameters.
• Understand and remain attuned to program, local, state, and national legal requirements.
• Visit assigned properties as needed to ensure compliance for program audits, resident concerns, or assistance.
• Embody Essex Values; act with integrity, care about what matters, lead at every level, do right with urgency, seek fairness.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1 year of experience in affordable housing program and/or property management preferred.
• YARDI experience strongly preferred.
• Certification as a Tax Credit Specialist (TCS) is preferred. Members of the Housing team are encouraged to earn the certification within one year of hire.