Leasing & Compliance Assistant

OUR STORY

The West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing, Inc. (WSFSSH) is a community-based organization whose mission is to provide safe, affordable housing with supportive services within a residential setting which enhances the independence and dignity of each person. WSFSSH develops, manages, and provides housing for low-income older persons, individuals living with serious mental illnesses, homeless individuals, and families on the Upper West Side, Harlem, Chelsea, and the Bronx. All WSFSSH housing is developed and run by WSFSSH.

JOB SUMMARY

The Leasing and Compliance Assistant is a key member of the Leasing and Compliance team. They will report to the Director of Leasing and Compliance and work closely with their Leasing and Compliance colleagues and Building Management. 

The Leasing and Compliance Assistant’s chief responsibility is to support the Leasing and Compliance Department by responding to housing inquiries and maintaining a high occupancy rate at the buildings in their portfolio. The assistant conducts all duties in compliance with Low-Income Housing Tax Credit guidelines, subsidy guidelines, and equal housing opportunity law. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Field and track housing inquiries and respond in a timely fashion
• Create mail merges and track responses from applicants
• Assist the Occupancy team with scheduling interviews
• Occasionally participate in and hold housing eligibility interviews with applicants and assist in determining eligibility
• Communicate housing outcomes to applicants via phone, email, or mail
• Take minutes at meetings
• Manage waiting lists in accordance with HUD tenant selection plans and Fair Housing Law
• Maintain and update applicant referrals through HRA’s Coordinated Assessment and Placement System (CAPS) (if applicable)
• Assist with inputting information into the property management database
• Finalize initial leasing and subsidy paperwork and submit to the building
• Participate in the lease-up of affordable housing developments by WSFSSH. Lease-up activities can include Housing Connect log tracking, mailings, appointment scheduling, and other tasks as needed
• Attend training sessions and conferences as required for the enhancement of job skills
• Comply fully with all WSFSSH confidentiality guidelines with discretion and integrity
• Attend supervision, team, and staff meetings
• Assist with other duties as needed

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work on-site at Central Office 5 days a week and travel to other WSFSSH sites as needed
• Ability to bend and lift boxes weighing up to 35 lbs.
• Ability to sit for an extended period of time

COMPETENCIES/SKILLS

• Bilingual (Spanish) required
• Ability to process substantial data, such as annual contract rent increases, legal rents, income limit changes, etc.
• Ability to prioritize and work independently with minimal supervision
• Possess excellent organizational skills with an attention to detail, and the ability to see the broader picture
• Effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to set and respect boundaries
• Dedication and commitment to a goal
• Conflict resolution
• Proficiency in Office 365
• Ability to liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders to achieve WSFSSH’s goal

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

• High School / GED required
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in NYC’s affordable housing real estate market, with expertise in leasing and compliance, affordable housing programs, income certifications, and/or other areas related to WSFSSH’s Leasing and Compliance function
• Familiarity with HUD, Homeless programs, and Section 8 subsidy required
• Working knowledge of NYC’s supportive housing application (2010E) required
• At least 1 year of administrative experience required
• At least 1 year of experience with older adults and people with mental illness and/or substance use required
• Experience working in government entitlements is a plus
• Experience with property management software; RealPage’s OneSite is preferable
• Experience with NYC’s Housing Connect preferred

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) POLICY STATEMENT

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principal at WSFSSH, where employment is based upon employees’ qualifications without discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, citizenship status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.