Housing Advocate

DISTINGUISHING FACTORS

This position handles initial intake and eligibility for NAHASDA native preference Homeownership, Rental, and Weatherization programs in addition to marketing Housing Authority Enterprise units to the community. This position is highly interactive and engaged, and will be a professional liaison between the participants and the agency; must have the ability to maintain a customer based, cooperative, and communicative relationship with all applicants, tenants, coworkers, and community services entities. Position is responsible for all application functions required to admit, verify, and screen applicants for initial eligibility and participation in all Housing Authority programs; Assist applicants with identifying eligibility qualifiers; Determine appropriate Housing Authority services for their needs; Utilize all available resources to assist applicant in meeting eligibility requirements; log all client information into the Housing Data System (HDS).

What You Will Be Doing

1. Responsible for understanding all home ownership, rental, and weatherization assistance programs of the Housing authority; guide applicants to proper programs according to their needs and eligibility determinants.
2. Responsible for assisting clients in the application process in accordance with Admissions and Occupancy policies; Completing the application, identifying required documents, collecting required documents and signatures, verifying necessary information, and explaining Housing Authority programs.
3. Responsible for processing applications, entering and updating data into HDS, screening for appropriate program eligibility, and prompt notification to applicants of eligibility or ineligibility.
4. Responsible for ensuring participant hardship cases are afforded reasonable, prompt assistance in accordance with Admissions & Occupancy policy.
5. Responsible for providing informal appeal summary to appeals committee for individuals and families denied initial eligibility. Develop Housing contracts for individuals and families who have successfully appealed initial ineligibility in conjunction with appeals committee decision and Family Self Sufficiency Coordinator.
6. Responsible for tracking all vacancies and maintaining a current waiting list of applicants for all unit types and programs as established in KIHA Admission and Occupancy Policies. Responsible for prompt notification of wait listed applicants of unit or program availability.
7. Responsible for referring non-eligible applicants to additional available resources/ Assist non-eligible applicants through referral to other housing resource programs.
8. Assist the Housing Advisor in scheduling repair work identified in the move out inspection for vacated units through the Maintenance work order system.
9. Responsible for coordinating vacant unit type priorities with the Housing Advisor and Maintenance Department.
10. Assist Housing Advisor and Housing Manager with Move-in, Move-out, and annual inspections of KIHA’s housing programs; includes potential travel to villages via small aircraft.
11. Responsible to work professionally and effectively with applicants, tenants, coworkers, and community partners. Responsible to be highly interactive, available, and engaged.
12. Responsible to know and understand Housing rental, ownership, and weatherization programs, and work closely with Housing Advisor and Mortgage/ Rental Assistance Specialist.
13. Responsible to know and understand programs and services in the community that may assist program applicants in meeting eligibility standards. Responsible to participate in the Kodiak Human Services Coalition and maintain up to date Community Resource Lists for applicant and participant referral.
14. Responsible for advertising housing programs in the community and marketing available housing units as dictated by vacancies and wait list.
15. Assist Housing staff with customer needs; witnessing interactions, meetings, and appeals; attend applicant interviews; review ongoing eligibility documents.
16. Assist and backup front desk with customer service support as directed.
17. Responsible for promoting a safe and drug free work environment.
18. Other duties assigned by the Housing Manager or Housing Director

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Establishes initial eligibility for rental and weatherization programs prior to transfer to Housing Advisor and Rental Assistance specialist.
• Establishes initial individual and family needs and demographics prior to transfer to the Self Sufficiency Coordinator for services.
• Coordinates rental unit priority needs with maintenance department to ensure maximized occupancy.
• Close working relationship with community housing resource organizations such as AHFC, Brother Francis Shelter, Salvation Army, and Fir Terrace to assist applicants with eligibility.
• Close working relationship with Community social service organizations engaged in the Human Services Coalition.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Able to work independently with minimal supervision;
• Able to work well with others; must be highly interactive, available, and engaged
• Have knowledge of supportive service agencies and programs in the community and resources available;
• Able to coordinate multiple community resources to meet needs of applicants and residents;
• Highly organized individual able to schedule work to meet deadlines;
• Able to work with persons of various backgrounds and skills;
• Must have good command of the English language, and be able to read, write, and speak English;
• Must have exceptional oral and written communication skills;
• Able to grasp technical regulations and policies governing programs;
• Able to type 40 WPM;
• Experience in office equipment, familiar with computers and windows operating system;
• Must have, or obtain a State of Alaska Driver’s License and meet KIHA’s vehicle liability insurance requirements.

Kodiak Island Housing Authority is an Equal Housing Opportunity Employer. This position is subject to the Alaska Native/American Indian employment preference under Section 7(b) of the Native American/Alaska Native Housing and Self-Determination Act, and Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S. C. 1701U) and Regulations in 24 CFR

COMPENSATION

Status: Non-exempt

Salary Range: 28 $39,404-53,311 DOE

Benefits: Fringe benefits offered