Deputy Director of Legal Support Unit

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is the nations largest municipal housing preservation and development agency. Its mission is to promote quality and affordability in the citys housing and diversity and strength in the citys neighborhoods because every New Yorker deserves a safe affordable place to live in a neighborhood they love.
HPD is entrusted with fulfilling these objectives through the goals and strategies of Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness Mayor Adams comprehensive housing framework. HPD is committed to reducing administrative and regulatory barriers and make investments to tackle New York Citys complex housing crisis by addressing homelessness and housing instability promoting economic stability and mobility increasing homeownership opportunities improving health and safety and increasing opportunities for equitable growth.

The Office of Housing Access and Stability (HAS) consists of the divisions of Housing Opportunity Tenant and Owner Resources Housing Stability Budget and Program Operations and Program Policy and Innovation. The mission of the office is to ensure fair efficient and transparent access to affordable housing. The Office provides subsidies placement services and tools that connect New Yorkers to affordable housing and ensures vulnerable households in subsidized housing have the support they need to be safely housed. Housing Access is committed to expanding housing choices affirmatively furthering fair housing and stabilizing the financial health of buildings.

Your Team:

At HPD rent subsidy programs are administered by the Division of Tenant & Owner Resources (DTOR). HPDs rental subsidies including Section 8 or the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program provide funding to eligible low-income families for rental assistance toward decent safe and affordable housing in a neighborhood of their choice. Families pay approximately 30% of their income toward rent and the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) pays the difference directly to the owner. The unit must have a rent that is determined reasonable and affordable by HPD and must meet federal Housing Quality Standards (HQS) to be approved.

Your Impact:

HPDs Division of Tenant & Owner Resources (DTOR) is responsible for the administration of rental subsidy programs that include Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Project Based Voucher (PBV) Moderate Rehab Section 8 Moderate Rehab Single Room Occupancy (SRO) and Continuum of Care (CoC)-Shelter Plus Care (SPC) and NYC 15/15. Through these programs HPD serves over 40000 households and 9000 landlords in all five boroughs. DTOR is responsible for the initial application screening; confirming eligibility requirements; briefing applicants; and issuing vouchers. DTOR also monitors tenant and landlord compliance of their obligations under each program and continues to administer the ongoing subsidies throughout their participation. These continued activities include processing annual and interim recertifications to update family income/assets household composition and rent amounts; tenant moves and transfers; approved rent increases; Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) abatements and reinstatements to enforce Housing Quality

Your Role:

Division of Tenant and Owner Resources (DTR) Legal Support Unit reviews and recommends responses to Article 78 petitions New York City Comptroller claims reviews legal documents pertaining to legal guardianships and related documents responds to complex subpoenas appears in Housing Part of the New York City Civil Court responds and assists with inquiries for eviction related matters and conducts outreach. Address and research legal issues that impact procedures and policies.
As an Agency Attorney L-2 Deputy Director for the DTOR Legal Support Unit under the direction of the Director with latitude for independent judgement initiative and decision making the selected candidates responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:

Responsibilities:
-Review Article 78 petitions and NYC Comptroller claims prepare analysis and facts of the case and recommend course of action
-Assist in preparing and editing legal arguments and documents such as verified answers memoranda etc. in connection with legal proceedings before various courts
-Review and assist in preparing responses for subpoenas and appear in the Housing Part of New York Civil Court as needed
-Research legal issues relating to Section 8 federal regulations and New York State case law recommend procedural and policy enhancements and participate in program review and analysis
-Participate in standing program-wide review of complex issues and recommend solutions
-Review and approve legal documents pertaining to power-of-attorney legal guardianship of adults and minors and other legal family related documents
-Review inquiries and legal documents submitted by participants applicants landlords and attorneys recommend action to be taken prepare responses and work on and monitor for resolution
-Conduct complex conferences with clients and attorneys and ensure compliance with conference agreements
-Liaise with Agency attorneys New York City litigation counsel and program experts
-Ensure compliance with HUD rules and regulations
-Monitor workflow for court cases ensure compliance with deadlines prepare reports and summaries of LSU workload
-Work on and lead special projects
-Supervise 1 staff person
-Represent the Director at DTR meetings and with stakeholders in and outside the Agency

A writing sample will be requested at the time of the interview.

Preferred skills:
-Excellent writing legal research and analytical skills
-Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
-Computer knowledge (LexisNexis Word Excel and Access)
-Strong Organizational Skills
-Knowledge of Rental Subsidies or Section 8 Subsidy Preferred
-Ability to liaise with DTR experts HPD Programs Agency and litigation counsel
-Bilingual a plus

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

Qualifications :

1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either 2 or 3 below.
2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
3. Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements:
To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar in the areas of law related to the assignment. To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar in the areas of law related to the assignment.

Additional Information :

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic including but not limited to an individuals sex race color ethnicity national origin age religion disability sexual orientation veteran status gender identity or pregnancy.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time