Housing Counselor - Certified

CHN HOUSING PARTNERS

Housing Counselor – Certified

PLEASE NOTE: This position is currently accepting applications, but first round interviews will begin in January 2025.

A HUD Housing Counselor certification is required for this role.

However, if an applicant is not already HUD-certified but has suitable experience, then employment will be conditional on the attaining of HUD certification within first 90-days of employment.

CHN Housing Partners: CHN is a highly seasoned, nonprofit affordable housing developer, housing service provider and residential mortgage lender that works with its partners to solve major housing challenges for low-income people and under-served communities. Through our partnerships we have developed over 7,000 affordable homes, and each year serve over 60,000 families through a wide array of housing services.

We work in Ohio and neighboring states, including Michigan, to preserve and expand affordable housing, and build equitable communities. By investing in affordable housing, we are investing in families, communities, and the economy. We are investing in the power of the permanent address.

Please click here to learn more about our Core Values and how they drive our mission and define who we are.

CHN offers the following benefits to its employees: Medical (including dental and vision options), Vacation, Personal and Sick Leave; Paid Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave; Paid Holidays; Life Insurance; 401K Plan, and Tuition Reimbursement.

Position Summary: CHN provides homeownership and financial counseling services in the following areas: home buying, foreclosure prevention, eviction prevention, reverse mortgage, and/or financial capabilities. The HUD-certified Housing Counselor provides homeownership and financial counseling designed to assist homeowners reach financial and housing goals, improve financial wellness, and aid in housing stability. The counselor will be part of the Home Ownership Preservation team and will be primarily focused on tax foreclosure prevention counseling for Cuyahoga County homeowners.

The counselor will have the opportunity to work with other CHN staff and departments to ensure clients receive access to all CHN’s services.

The rate of pay for this position is $52,000 per year ($25.00 hourly; FLSA Non-Exempt)

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Housing and Financial Counseling (75%)
  • Conduct intake for counseling clients; review intake documentation and ensure all required documentation is received.
  • Schedule counseling clients for appointments (both preliminary and follow-up appointments).
  • Meet individually with clients to:
    • Facilitate clients’ financial and/or homeownership goal-setting.
    • Create a sustainable spending plan, based on current income and expenses;
    • Review credit reports and provide guidance around credit repair;
    • Document client income, debt, assets, and spending plan; create financial snapshots.
    • Determine eligibility for income and household supportprograms;
    • Review short- and long-term goals and create an engagement/action plan with steps to reach each goal.
    • Assess client for other program eligibility, make referrals to additional services.
    • Provide consistent and timely follow-up to residents in alignment with funder guidelines and/or until file is resolved and closed out.
    • Maintains a caseload of 8-10 appointments per week.
  • Consistent with housing counseling type – mediates work out options and serves as liaison between client and third party (lender, landlord, housing court, tax authority, etc.…) throughout duration of counseling.
  • Enter all client-level data into Customer Relationship Software, currently Salesforce. Ensure data is accurate, entered in a timely manner,and meets all funder guidelines. Similarly, ensure all physical files meet funder guidelines and are maintained appropriately.
    
     
• Financial Mobility Program Support (15%)
  • As needed, support other functions of the Financial Mobility Department, such as (but not limited to):
    • Group Education Services
    • Tax Preparation Services
    • Community Outreach and Presentations
      
       
• Other duties as assigned, including maintenance of relevant CEUs and certifications. (10%)

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

Experience:

• 4-year degree or 3+ years of housing counseling experience/work in a similar field

Skills:

• Housing Counseling, Financial Coaching, Class Instruction, and/or relevant work experience a plus
• Good interpersonal communication skills & excellent customer service orientation
• Solid written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable learning and adapting to CHN’s databases
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel

Other:

• HUD Certified Housing Counselor certification required; if not already HUD-certified, must attain certification within first 90-days of employment.  
• The Community Resource Center would like to expand its reach into the communities it serves – minor travel may be required for outreach events.

Working Conditions and/or Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform essential job functions consistent with ADA, FMLA, and other standards.
• Regular and punctual attendance consistent with ADA, FMLA, and other standards.

Why Should You Apply?

• You want to be part of an organization where the work you do will have a positive and lasting difference in the community.
• Great benefits.
• Opportunities for on-the-job training and/or professional development.

M/F/V/D/EOE