The purpose of the Housing Choice Voucher Specialist position is to provide operational support of the Detroit Housing Commission's Section 8 programs by assisting in the delivery of program services and may include application processing, waiting list management, portability actions, intake actions, and re-certification duties. Additionally, work involves communication with participating property owners and management companies. The work is performed under the supervision of an HCV Supervisor or Manager.
Educational Requirements
Bachelor's Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Public Administration or closely related field from an accredited College or University.
A combination of education and experience may be considered.
Experience Requirements
2- 5 years of Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program experience.
3 years of experience in rent calculations and program administration.
Other Requirements
Must obtain the HCV Specialist Certification and the HCV Rent Calculation Certification within 6 months of hire with a passing score of 80% or higher.
Must pass the rent calculation examination with a minimum score of 80% on the rent calculation component of the HCV Specialist examination.
Must periodically retake the HCV Rent Calculation examination and pass with a minimum score of 80%.
Must maintain the HCV Specialist Certification during employment in the position.
Knowledge of the Enterprise Verification System (EIV).
Knowledge of HUD PIC Systems.
Yardi experience preferred.
Must have or be able to acquire a valid state driver's license.
Must pass federal, state, and local criminal investigation clearances, and pass a drug screening test administered by the Commission or its designated provider.
Must be insurable under the agency's insurance policy.
Valid Notary Public Certification preferred.
Knowledge of HUD rules and regulations that apply to property management: Fair Housing Laws, Michigan Real Estate Landlord-Tenant Law, OSHA Standards, Local and State Building Codes
Knowledge of basic office practices, procedures, and equipment and Microsoft 365.
Knowledge of HUD regulations and guidelines relating to Housing Quality Standards (HQS)/NSPIRE (or successor programs and State and Local building and occupancy laws or regulations
Knowledge of HUD HCV programs: regulations, principles, and practices governing
Knowledge of HCV Project Based Vouchers
Knowledge FSS & Homeownership Program Regulations, guidelines, procedures and requirements
Knowledge of the RHF grant programs and Hope IV grant programs
Knowledge of DHC's Administrative Plan and related policies and procedures
Knowledge of principles and practices of community programs and organizations
HUD EIV Cyber awareness guidelines
Required Skills
Interact with public and private agencies and residents to accomplish organizational goals
Interpret and understand community housing needs
Investigate problems or issues and resolve effectively
Operate standard office equipment
Manage conflict effectively
Manage multiple priorities and demands within established requirements
Master position-specific software
Negotiate effectively
Plan, organize, complete or assign work and special projects in order to meet organizational goals
Prepare written documents/reports with proper sentence structure, grammar and overall completeness
Supervisory Responsibilities
None
Reports To
Continued Occupancy Supervisor
Essential Job Functions
Answer's inquiries and provide customer service to clients, landlords, agencies, and the general public. Also answer inquiries regarding policies and practices associated with Housing Choice Voucher Multi-Family and Moderate Re-habitation programs. Notify program participants and landlords of scheduled reexaminations.
Initiates and processes Annual and Interim Re-certifications for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream, Family Unification Program (FUP), Project Based Vouchers, Family Self-Sufficiency, Home Ownership and EHV program participants. Meets with clients to update and revise client/landlord information, adjust rent, complete required certification and re-certification paperwork and review required regulations and family responsibilities.
Interview participants: verify and document required information. Collects, reviews, evaluates, and verifies documents and verifies documents and information to calculate rent for interim re-certification and move-in. Explains rent calculation to tenants and assists with completion of recertification materials, as necessary. Prepares and sends appropriate notices of rent adjustments in accordance with HUD regulations.
Calculate tenant share of rent.
Recertifications may be conducted via mail, individual or group briefing sessions or as a home visit where reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities is required.
Ensures proper verification methods/processing for each re-examination in accordance with HUD and Commission policies and procedures. Examines and resolves income discrepancies, as necessary.
HUD regulations require timely processing of annual and interim recertifications, including corrections, MTCS or other essential data.
Runs Rent Reasonableness Determination to verify rent increase qualifies and processes rent increases, per rent reasonable determinations.
Reviews and discusses non-compliant family(ies) issues with Admissions & Leasing Supervisor or HCV Manager to ensure clients are provided with reasonable opportunity to meet requirements to remain in compliance.
Initiate voucher termination for participants who fail to comply with program requirements. Assists in preparation and distribution of notices of violation of the Statement of Family Responsibilities and assists the Admissions and Leasing Supervisor or HCV Manager with the enforcement of Statement of Family Responsibilities.
Initiate HAP Contract terminations and HAP abatements for landlords who fail to comply with program requirements.
Utilize a variety of computer software programs including standard office software for word processing (e.G. Word), presentation preparation (e.g. PowerPoint), and spreadsheet (e.g. Excel) applications; use Yardi software for applications, waiting list, participant recordkeeping, HUD-50058 preparation, and reporting.
Maintain the confidentiality of designated information. Perform work in accordance with HUD and PII (Personally Identifiable Information) policies.
Accept applications from the public as required.
Place applicants on the waiting list in accordance with DHC's Administrative Plan and applicable HUD guidance and/or regulations.
May, as required, determine rent reasonableness, calculate utility allowance, apply the 40% rent burden test, negotiate and prepare Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contracts, calculate initial HAP payments, and complete the move-in process.
Participate in applicant briefings. Explain program requirements to landlords and rental agents.
Schedules inspections of units for initials, recertifications, complaints, specials and abate cure inspection activity.
Additional duties as assigned.
This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job classification. All incumbents may not perform all job duties listed, and some incumbents may perform some duties which are not listed, and incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description.