Rental Counselor-Fishkill

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

We are seeking a dedicated and highly organized Counselor to support a range of housing-related services and activities. The selected candidate will work closely with renters impacted by Hurricane Ida in Westchester, Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, and Suffolk Counties. This role involves overseeing all phases of case management from intake to closeout, including outreach, eligibility review, housing inspections, counseling, award disbursement, and program management. This position is based in Fishkill, NY and requires both evening and weekend availability as well as travel within the designated service areas.

Pay: $27.88 Hourly

FLSA: Non-Exempt- eligible for overtime.

Schedule: Monday-Friday - 9am-5pm

Location: Fishkill, NY

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and execute outreach activities to raise awareness about the Renters Safe Housing Incentive within the designated service areas.
• Ensure all applicant communications are documented accurately in the program’s system of record.
• Conduct initial eligibility reviews, ensuring that households meet income requirements and other criteria (e.g., impacted by Hurricane Ida, no duplicative disaster assistance).
• Follow up with applicants on application status, collect necessary documents, answer questions, and address escalations.
• Provide counseling sessions to first-time homebuyers, whether in person, via phone, or through online platforms, helping them understand their options and responsibilities in purchasing a home.
• Create and update individualized action plans for clients, assisting them throughout the home buying process.
• Evaluate and approve or decline certificates for eHome America students, ensuring that requirements are met.
• Must become a HUD certified housing counselor within six months of employment.
• Offer housing counseling services, including rental and pre-purchase counseling.
• Provide housing navigation services to renters needing assistance locating permanent housing.
• Calculate and disburse rental relocation incentives, homeownership assistance, and moving assistance payments to eligible renters/homebuyers.
• Maintain accurate payment records in the system of record.
• Ensure payment awards are issued based on program guidelines (e.g., rent burden, front-end debt-to-income ratio).
• Ensure all required documentation is collected and case closeout criteria are met.
• Conduct a closeout review for each case to confirm eligibility, document collection, and payment.
• Record required documents for down payment assistance with the relevant county clerk.
• Familiarize yourself with existing program requirements, policies, and the system of record.
• Ensure compliance with Federal requirements.
• Deliver regular reports (e.g., weekly, monthly) to RHC, including budget expenditure reports and projections.
• Develop and implement remediation plans for open cases, addressing any barriers to completing case closeout.
• Participate in all required RHC program meetings and contribute to program development discussions.
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• Job-Related Duties – All Staff
• This job description is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities and qualifications expected for this role. Duties may be modified, added, or removed at the discretion of the agency with or without notice.
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• Attendance and Punctuality: Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• Attitude and Courtesy: Demonstrates respect and courtesy to others, cooperates with team members, and values the opinions and concerns of clients, staff, and the general public.
• Communication: Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication, both internally and externally.
• Confidentiality: Consistently maintains the confidentiality of client and agency information.
• Creativity and Innovation: Proposes new ideas and seeks better methods to improve processes.
• Decision-making Skills: Demonstrates sound judgment, gathers relevant information, and takes appropriate action when solving problems.
• Flexibility: Willing to accept new tasks and adapt to changes in work schedules and assignments to meet the needs of the agency.
• Fiscal Responsibility: Uses agency resources efficiently, minimizes waste, and seeks cost-effective solutions.
• Job Knowledge: Demonstrates a solid understanding of the principles, methods, and processes necessary to perform the role effectively.
• Performance: Meets productivity standards, performs tasks in a timely manner, and produces high-quality work.
• Professional Development: Demonstrates a desire for career growth and seeks to improve skills relevant to the role.
• Response to Supervision and Training: Actively listens to feedback and incorporates suggestions for improvement into daily work.
• Reliability in Reporting: Submits reports accurately and on time, as required by funding agencies or CHI.
• Safety Practices: Observes safe working conditions and practices and reports any unsafe conditions.
• Teamwork: Contributes positively to group efforts, assisting colleagues as necessary.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in banking, case management or housing assistance.
• Knowledge of HUD standards and requirements for housing assistance programs is a plus.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Familiarity with program systems of record and data management.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to handle sensitive information.

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.