Housing Specialist; Chicago Heights

Under general direction of department management, provides assistance to applicants, tenants, and/or landlords and may perform any of the following functions based on assigned area of responsibility: calculates, determines, and processes rent; processes recertifications; manages waiting list; manages payment issues; meets with and assists visitors/callers with questions/applications regarding housing program; processes cancellations; facilitates moves and voucher transfers; processes files to field for inspection;

and/or reviews applicants background/income to determine eligibility.

• Processes and reviews tenant certification documents, both annual and interim, for completeness and validity.
• Contacts agencies and employers for required information for income, asset, and expense reviews.
• Runs EIV, DHS, and the Work Number reports for all clients as needed.
• Collects certification information, including income and household changes, follows up on receipt, and prepares complete certification files.
• Calculates Total Tenant Payments, FSS escrows, credits and/or other payments as appropriate.
• Prepares and submits 50058 reports and makes corrections as necessary.
• Prepares and issues Notice of Adjustment, Bookkeeping Change and other notification forms and letters as appropriate.
• Utilizes computer system for accurate input, change, or display of information.
• Utilizes computer system to track certification status, respond to landlord and tenant inquiries, and address other issues as needed.
• Makes recommendation for termination of assistance when appropriate.
• Reviews and processes tenants under portability procedures, as needed.
• Absorbs billable clients by assignment.
• Processes project-based voucher and special admission clients (VASH, FUP, FLOW, SPC etc.) by assignment.
• Effectively manages waiting list.
• Maintains applications according to prescribed procedures.
• Processes new applications and interviews prospective tenants.
• Performs rent computations on new applications and new move-ins.
• Answers inquiries regarding applications, rent changes, admissions policies and procedures.
• Issues vouchers to eligible applicants.
• Issues Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) documents, accurately processes such requests, prepares for HQS inspection, and extends vouchers as needed; processes additional requests for such as necessary.
• Monitors the progress of files toward completion for payment notifying tenant, landlord, and/or field of delayed files.
• Responds to inquiries regarding client and HA portions of the rent and payments for new contracts.
• Computes rent increases as applicable.
• Resolves new move-in landlord issues.
• Advise applicant of their expired voucher and closes out files as necessary.
• Completes a variety of daily, weekly and monthly logs and reports.
• Completes checklists for all transaction types – renewals, new admissions, moves, etc.
• Prepares reinstatement paperwork and files.
• Investigates and drafts responses to written inquiries.
• Accurately prepares files for HQS inspections and contacts inspection department to schedule if necessary.
• Maintains tickler follow-up system and meets all deadlines.
• Reviews and researches files for accuracy.
• Merges and purges files as directed.
• Routes non-routine issues as directed, after reviewing and recommending appropriate course of action.
• Answers calls and assists visitors.
• Returns voice mail and email messages with 24 – 48 hours.
• Assures adherence to the agency’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Administrative Plan and Public Housing Admission and Continued Occupancy Plan (ACOP).
• Meets or exceeds applicable job-related HUD performance standards particularly PHAS and SEMAP such as: reviews and enters RFTA for inspection on same or next day; reviews and pays new intake files on same or next day; responds to messages on the same or next shift; sees visitors within three minutes; completes 50058 per HUD requirements, etc.
• Performs all duties in accordance with Authority policies.

• Travels to various locations to meet with residents in person.
• Assists with department mailings as directed.
• Transmits certification documents.
• Assists departmental staff, as…