Willow Tree Shelter - Entitlement Specialist

Project Renewal is a leading non-profit organization with the mission of building supportive communities where people achieve dignity and independence, renewing their lives with health, homes, and jobs. Our comprehensive and integrated 24/7 programs are designed to offer the holistic care our clients need. With a staff of 950 and an annual budget of $140 million, Project Renewal is one of the larger social service nonprofits in New York City.

Title: Entitlement’s Specialist

Program: Willow Tree Residence

Salary Range: $40,000-$43,000

Program Description

Willow Tree Residence is a 130-unit congregate care supportive housing program located in East Midtown Manhattan. The facility is unique in that it is co-located with a women’s shelter that occupies the first 6 floors of a 21-story building and offers a street facing Article 28 clinic on the first floor dedicated to providing primary and behavioral health care services. Willow Tree provides 79 permanent, supportive housing units for chronically homeless single adults with a serious mental illness [SMI], a substance use disorder [SUD], or those who may have a co-occurring SMI and SUD. Candidates are referred through the Department of Homeless services [DHS]; however, the facility is funded by DOHMH. The remaining 51 units are “fair market” and reserved for low-income tenants, referred from the local community.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

The essential duties of the Entitlement Specialist include but are not limited to the following activities:

• Coordinating with government agencies and other third-parties regarding contractual and regulatory compliance during lease-up period
• Reviewing housing applications and making initial eligibility determinations for applicants referred the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and other government agencies for lease-up of new facilities and for vacancies as they occur
• Making eligibility determinations, processing applications, and developing and maintaining waiting lists for low-income housing
• Assisting tenants and prospective tenants with entitlements, income certifications and HPD subsidy applications, as well as with certifications and re-certifications
• Coordinating intake and move-in processes, including scheduling intake interviews and move-ins; preparing initial lease and move-in documents; coordinating room readiness with maintenance staff; and conducting orientation for new tenants
• Providing tenants and clients with information and direction in acquiring and maintaining entitlements with city, state and federal entitlement programs
• Providing up to date information about city, state and federal entitlement programs to the Director, building management, clinical and counseling staff, and property management staff
• Entering, maintaining, and updating rent account data in the agency’s property management software
• Tracking, processing, and analyzing rent and rent subsidy payments
• Acting as Liaison to agency’s Fiscal Office, as well as with local representatives of city, state and federal entitlements programs, including Social Security, Medicaid and HUD.
• Serving as Liaison to City Housing Placement Specialists
• Tracking vacancies, processing data, generating monthly rent statements, and preparing and submitting reports
• Investigating and resolving tenant issues and disputes
• Facilitate and coordinate tenant satisfaction assessments, including development of surveys and other tools
• Coordinating and assisting with lease renewals, compliance requirements, and grant maintenance tasks.
• Serving as primary property management contact for tenants and staff at one or more facilities
• Other duties as assigned by Director or supervisory staff
  
  

Physical Activities

While performing the duties of this position, the Entitlement’s Specialist must stand to talk to clients and staff, sit for extended periods of time at the computer, and reach or squat to get records from the files.

Education And Experience Requirements

• Low Income House Tax Credit certification
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; or Associate degree and one year of relevant experience such as working with special needs populations; or High School Diploma or GED and two years of relevant experience such as working with special needs populations
• Experience with rental subsidy programs and LIHTC requirements
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Adobe
• Knowledge of case management and property management databases, including MDS
  
  

Preferred Skills

• Team Player: Ability to work cooperatively with peers and other staff to serve the needs of the clients as effectively and efficiently as possible.
• Communication: Excellent oral, writing, and listening skills are a must.
• Organizational: The ability to work well within a highly pressurized, deadline environment, while meeting the short-term and long-term mandates of the program.
• Interpersonal: An ability to interface with clients as well as all levels of staff.
• Computer: Knowledge of case management software as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Language: Bilingual or multilingual a plus.