Homeownership Counselor

WHO IS CHI?

Community Housing Innovations (CHI) is a not for profit housing and human services organization that aims to support social and economic independence. Our vision is to end generational poverty and foster upward mobility by ensuring that all families and individuals live in quality housing, have a home of their own, and a job to support them. We believe quality, affordable housing is the foundation for prosperity, personal fulfillment, and success.

WHAT DOES CHI OFFER?

CHI employs a team of hard working, compassionate people who want to give back to others in their community. We are proud to offer:

• Generous Paid time off
• Personal and Sick Days
• Health insurance and health reimbursement account 
• Dental and vision plans
• Flexible spending account
• AFLAC supplemental insurance
• Dependent Care Spending Account
• Commuter Transit and Parking Account
• Working Advantage, Employee Perks
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Monthly trainings and career development plans

JOB SUMMARY

Provide counseling and pre-purchase education to homeownership clients on a one-on-one and/or group basis and administer grants for the homeownership program. Ensure that all grant funds are dispersed in a timely manner to qualified applicants. Work closely with team members to organize outreach and present education seminars in order to maintain and grow the First Time Homebuyer Education program. Ensure all client files are audit ready for grant and funding compliance.

Pay: $27.88 an hour, $57,990.40 annually 

FLSA: Non Exempt. 

Schedule: 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday.

Location: White Plains, NY  

First Time Homebuyer Counseling:

• Manage intake of homeownership applications, including organizing files and maintaining waitlist.
• Review all grant applications to determine the eligibility of an applicant for a grant, to assist in the purchase of their first home. Conduct an eligibility and affordability analysis for every completed application that is submitted adhering to the PB 11B-IRS Form 1040 Income and Asset Guidebook for Homeowner Program Guidelines. Including but not limited to, the reviewing of credit report, income documentation, monthly household budgets, verification of employment and other relevant documentation required as part of the application review process.
• Provide face to face, phone or internet counseling to first time homebuyers. Prepare individualized action plans for clients as needed.
• Review and update the grant wait list on a weekly basis.
• Provide counseling to all First Home Club and Smart Move participants and oversee their application and progress for the duration of the program.
• Evaluate and provide counseling to all eHome America student. Approve and/or decline certificates.
• Submit lender invoices when applicable to accounting.
• Maintain all client files to ensure files are in compliance with HUD. Observe all regulatory and reporting requirements to ensure all files are audit ready.
• Create a client/case profile utilizing the web-based client management system, Counselor Max.
• Become a HUD Certified Housing Counselor within the first six months of employment.
• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Grant Administration:

• Review grant applications deemed complete and eligible to finalize eligibility for the AHC First Time Homebuyers grant.
• Schedule and conduct grant certificate meetings in Westchester and Long Island and via video conferencing; topics include review grant guidelines, program requirements, rules, and procedures with the client. Document in Counselor Max
• Review all proposed purchases for eligibility under the Grant Program Requirements before a home purchase contract is signed; affordability may be reviewed by Director
• Collect and review all required pre-closing documents: mortgage loan commitment, home inspection report, HUD Planner’s scope of work, 1003, purchase contract, title report, etc.
• Works with client, lender, loan processer, attorneys and contractors as needed during the closing process
• Prepares fund request for AHC, with Final Review provided by Director.
• Prepares CHI’s closing documents and wires funds to attorney for closing, and files final closing package
• Prepares a Contractor Agreement to document the rehab plan, budget and timing and ensure all parties sign before work begins
• Oversee the rehab process. Document all request for fund releases for contractor payments, working with inspector to ensure the invoices are correct & rehabilitation work is completed.
• Handle all subordination, refinance, short sale and mortgage/grant satisfaction for the portfolio of past year’s grant recipients.
• Observe all regulatory and reporting requirements to ensure all files are audit ready.
• Work closely with the office of Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) on the following:
  • Payment requisitions, Mortgage/grant satisfactions, Waiver requests,
  • Recapture payments, Old contract Close out, New contract documentation.
• Prepare all reporting required to prove compliance with Minority/Women Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) regulations are followed (Affirmation of Income, Utilization Plans, EEO reporting).
• Maintain the grant wait list (the “Weekly Report”) and update on a weekly basis
• Prepare quarterly compliance reports for NYS ( GUS web-based system)
• Assists with annual HOME Monitoring mailing lists and letters, follow up and compliance updates for current and past grant contracts.
• Send termination notices to those clients who did not complete the grant process
• Scan files of clients who did not complete the program when they are terminated, and
• Maintain all hard and soft files in compliance with HUD of the eligibility and purchase process for all grant certificate recipients.
• Maintain paper records by contract for all rehab activities, including contractor agreements, check requests and amendments to rehab and maintain contract file,
• Maintain professional knowledge and skills in areas that pertain to responsibilities
• This job requires personal transportation that will allow travel within the designated market area, travel expenses will be reimbursed.

What do I need to apply?

Education:

Three years of housing counseling, banking and/or financial services experience will be considered in lieu of a degree. Bachelor’s degree with one year banking experience preferred.

Special Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret financial reports & common legal documents
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies or members of the business community
• Ability to calculate figures such as income, interest, commissions and percentages
• Ability to work with minimal supervision in fast-paced, multi-task and multi-cultural work environment
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• Must have strong verbal, typing and writing skills as well as legible handwriting
• Must have advanced experience with Microsoft Office software, be able to use e-mail and navigate the internet as well as web-based databases

DIVERSTY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Community Housing Innovations Inc (CHI) respects diversity and is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation marital status, partnership status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Community Housing Innovations is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This commitment applies to recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, compensation, training, assignments, benefits, employee activities, termination, access to facilities, and programs, and all other terms and conditions of employment as well as general treatment during employment.