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 : Entitlements SpecialistProgram: Willow Tree ResidenceSalary Range: $40000-$43000Program 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 womens 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 periodReviewing 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 occurMaking eligibility determinations processing applications and developing and maintaining waiting lists for low-income housingAssisting tenants and prospective tenants with entitlements income certifications and HPD subsidy applications as well as with certifications and re-certificationsCoordinating 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 tenantsProviding tenants and clients with information and direction in acquiring and maintaining entitlements with city state and federal entitlement programsProviding up to date information about city state and federal entitlement programs to the Director building management clinical and counseling staff and property management staffEntering maintaining and updating rent account data in the agencys property management softwareTracking processing and analyzing rent and rent subsidy paymentsActing as Liaison to agencys Fiscal Office as well as with local representatives of city state and federal entitlements programs including Social Security Medicaid and as Liaison to City Housing Placement SpecialistsTracking vacancies processing data generating monthly rent statements and preparing and submitting reportsInvestigating and resolving tenant issues and disputesFacilitate and coordinate tenant satisfaction assessments including development of surveys and other toolsCoordinating and assisting with lease renewals compliance requirements and grant maintenance as primary property management contact for tenants and staff at one or more facilitiesOther duties as assigned by Director or supervisory staffPhysical Activities:While performing the duties of this position the Entitlements 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. Qualifications:Low Income House Tax Credit certification A Bachelors 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 populationsExperience with rental subsidy programs and LIHTC requirementsExcellent oral and written communication skillsProficiency in Microsoft Office Suite particularly Excel and AdobeKnowledge of case management and property management databases including MDSPreferred 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 : 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 SuiteLanguage:Bilingual or multilingual a Renewal is an equal opportunity employer. Its long-standing policy has been to embrace the equality of opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to actual or perceived race color national origin alienage or citizenship status religion or creed gender (see separately issued Gender Discrimination policy for more detail) physical or mental disability age (18 and over) military status arrest record marital status domestic partnership status genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic sexual orientation status as a victim or witness of domestic violence sex offenses or stalking unemployment status or any other basis protected by applicable federal state and local laws.