Housing Program Assistance

Job Title:                  Housing Assistant                    

Exempt Status:           Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Reports To:                  Housing Director

The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia is “a place with a heart.” Our mission is to feed the hungry, house the homeless, and prevent homelessness.

The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia employs compassionate, skilled professionals who are committed to excellence, enjoy teamwork, and contribute daily to our mission and culture of caring. Team members experience a friendly, supportive atmosphere, leadership support, autonomy, flexibility, and the privilege of doing meaningful, rewarding work.

Position Summary:  

The Housing Assistant is responsible for collaborative efforts with the Housing Director to facilitate daily requirements of the Housing Department.  This will include: performing intakes, assisting with managing agency properties, housing units, and occupancy, and other tasks delegated by the Housing Director to maximize client service for qualified individuals. This person will collaborate with colleagues across the agency and local community, particularly those in the Prevention Services department, Bridge Shelter, and the Volusia Flagler County Coalition for the Homeless as directed by the Housing Director. This position reports directly to the Housing Director and requires strong communication, time management, and ethical decision-making skills to be successful. This role involves a combination of administrative tasks, customer service, and project coordination to ensure the smooth operation of housing initiatives

Duties and Responsibilities:

A.  Program and Financial Management

Provides support to the Housing Director in the efficient and effective management of housing programs and housing unit occupancy. Responsible for assisting the Housing Director with performance of planned / emergent work requirements to achieve established objectives of the Housing Department and the agency.

1.     Assist in the development and execution of initiatives aimed at improving housing services and facilities, which include: NSP/HOME, Transitional Housing, and HUD programs such as Domestic Violence-Rapid Re-Housing, Permanent Supportive Housing, and other housing-related programs.

2.     Collaborate with the Housing Director on all grant-funded programs to ensure all applicable grant guidelines and eligibility criteria are upheld.

3.     Monitor respective accounts receivable and balances owed by assigned clients so that payment reminders are made to clients, and payment plans are created in collaboration with the Housing Director.

4.     Assist Case Managers to fulfill department services, as directed by the Housing Director, including but not limited to:

·        Client application process, interviews, reference/police check conduct, and home visits with prospective tenants.

·        Completion and management of client lease contracts.

·        Orient tenants to the program and provide appropriate information for use and care of agency-managed units.

·        Collect rent, damage compensation, fees, and other tenant/governmental payments. This includes managing the rent collection system, AppFolio, used by tenants and staff.

·        Proper implementation of move-in, on-site periodic inspections, move-out, and eviction proceedings, including arranging and scheduling client moves.

·        Managing agency vehicles, client appointment schedules, and client transportation.

5.     Maintains client/tenant data, reports results, problem areas, and trends to the Housing Director.

6.     Reviews and provides documentation for changes (such as location, rent amounts, etc.) to the Housing Director for review and concurrence.

7.     Performs other duties as assigned by the Housing Director.

B.  Record-Keeping and Communication

1.     Maintain physical and electronic client files to standards set by agency policies, regulatory, and funding stakeholder requirements, including documentation of:

a.      Intake form, application, and supporting documentation

b.      Coordination and follow-up

c.      Financial payment records

d.     Special circumstances and issues as they arise

2.     Regularly update client records in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database.