Job Information
Vermont State Housing Authority Rental Assistance Specialist in MONTPELIER, Vermont
This job was posted by https://www.vermontjoblink.com : For more information, please see: https://www.vermontjoblink.com/jobs/1167349
Vermont State Housing Authority
One Prospect Street ? Montpelier, Vermont 05602 ? (802) 828-3295 ? contact@vsha.org
NOTICE OF OPEN POSITION
Rental Assistance Specialist
June, 2024
About VSHA: Since 1968, the Vermont State Housing Authority has been working to improve and expand
access to affordable housing throughout the state. VSHA strategically partners and collaborates with rental
property owners, nonprofit organizations, agencies, and municipalities to implement innovative programs that
promote housing access and stability for our community members with income-based and other housing
assistance needs.
Position: The Rental Assistance Specialist produces technical and administrative work of a complex and
responsible nature related to the overall day-to-day administration for a variety of HUD and State-funded
rental assistance programs. Responsibilities include the determination of applicant/tenant initial and ongoing
eligibility for rental assistance including, but not limited to, the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program,
Continuum of Care Homeless programs, and a variety of state-funded programs. Excellent communication
skills are required in working with applicants and program recipients.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION: In accordance with HUD Regulations, regulatory agencies,
program specific requirements, and VSHA policies and procedures:
1. Intake Services:
Manages/monitors waiting lists, available subsidies, and unit vacancies.
Meets with and interviews applicants, explaining complex and differing programs along with
their individual eligibility requirements.
Assists applicants with completing required forms.
Reviews completed applications, obtaining required verifications and criminal background checks.
Applies different eligibility criteria when evaluating completed applications, determining final
eligibility of applicants for a variety of programs.
Performs mathematical calculations to accurately determine the total tenant portion which is
the basis for determining tenant rent going forward.
Issues subsidies to eligible applicants in a timely, efficient manner.
Responsible for responding to requests for, and performing, informal reviews.
Promotes and markets various housing options to general public and program applicants; and as
needed/required, assumes additional responsibilities relative to marketing and new initiatives.
2. Client Services:
Determines the ongoing eligibility of families and participants.
Processes lease-ups, rent increases, annual and interim reexaminations, often times
coordinating with the Field Representatives to get the required paperwork; verifies income and
expense information, and eligibility of new household members.
Performs mathematical calculations to determine and process adjustments to housing assistance
payments (HAP), tenant utility reimbursement payments (URP), as well as the tenant portion of rent;
starts, stops and resumes subsidy payments as needed based on calculations.
Vermont State Housing Authority
One Prospect Street ? Montpelier, Vermont 05602 ? (802) 828-3295 ? contact@vsha.org
Prepares and reviews bi-monthly HAP reports prior to HAP being paid out.
Responsible for individual caseload and managing processing deadlines to ensure adequate
notice to tenants and landlords.
Reviews income discrepancies through HUDs EIV system and completes complex fraud
calculations for recoupment of Housing Assistance Payments.
Communicates with tenants regarding missed repayment amounts.
Responsible for preparing documentation.
Verifies with other public housing authorities th e status of program participants eligibility using the
EIV system and direct contact.
3. Verifies with other public housing authorities status of program participants eligibility using the EIV
system and direct contact.
4. Handles information requests, program explanations to applicants, participants, agencies and the
general public; resolves or refers any complaints or problems to the appropriate personnel. Refers
tenants/applicants to the appropriate agency in the community for resources not provided by
VSHA.
5. Communicates with landlords regarding changes in HAP amounts.
6. Prepares and maintains confidential applicant and program participant files, criminal record
request logs and background records, including within computerized program.
7. Responsible for generating, reviewing and certifying required regular reports, including waiting lists
and check run verifications.
8. Compiles and maintains application and tenant cer