Homeownership Counselor

Description

The Housing Counselor plays a critical role in supporting individuals and families on their path to mortgage readiness and long-term housing stability. The role demands proficiency in evaluating credit analysis, analyzing income documentation, and applying HUD’s Area Medium Income (AMI) guidelines to determine eligibility. The ideal candidate is passionate about affordable housing, thrives in a fast-paced and diverse environment, and is committed to empowering clients through education and individualized support. Counselors meet regularly with clients to develop personalized action plans focused on achieving homeownership or securing stable housing.

Requirements

  Key Responsibilities

• Conduct individualized housing counseling sessions to assess clients’ financial situations, credit history, and housing goals.
• Review and interpret credit reports; identify issues and provide guidance for credit improvement.
• Utilize HUD AMI guidelines to determine eligibility and affordability for housing programs.
• Accurately calculate client income from various sources, including employment, public benefits, and self-employment.
• Meet weekly with clients to provide coaching, monitor progress, and ensure accountability.
• Guide clients through budget creation, debt reduction, savings plans, and understanding the homebuying process.
• Maintain accurate confidential client records in accordance with HUD and program requirements.
• Coordinate with internal staff, lenders, and community partners to support client outcomes.
• Facilitate group education sessions such as first-time homebuyer classes or financial literacy workshops as needed.
• Remain informed on local housing trends, lending practices, and changes to program eligibility.
• Provide services with cultural competence, empathy, and professionalism in a high-demand, multicultural environment.
• Other job duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in housing counseling, lending, case management, or related field.
• Strong understanding of credit reports, credit scoring, and strategies for credit improvement.
• Proven experience in income verification and calculation across diverse employment types.
• Familiarity with HUD AMI standards and affordable housing program requirements.
• Ability to manage a caseload effectively and meet regularly with clients.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to build rapport and trust with clients from all backgrounds.
• Comfort working in a dynamic, fast-paced, and culturally diverse setting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and housing counseling platforms (e.g., CounselorMax, Salesforce).
• HUD Housing Counseling Certification preferred or must be obtained within 12 months of hire.

Working Conditions

• Evening or weekend hours may occasionally be required.
• Must be comfortable working in a collaborative, high-energy environment.

Equal Opportunity Policy

Habitat for Humanity of Omaha (Habitat Omaha) actively recruits, employs, trains and compensates employees regardless of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetics or veteran status.  In addition to federal law requirements, Habitat Omaha complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including workplace harassment.  

At Habitat Omaha, we have a clear vision to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay, and to do their best work.  Our vision is to see a world where everyone has a safe, affordable place to live, and we know our company runs on the hard work and dedication of our passionate and creative employees.  Our dedication to promoting diversity, multiculturalism and inclusion is clearly reflected in the work that we do externally in the community, as well as internally with our employment practices.