Affordable Housing Specialist

About Our Opportunity

The City of Asheville is seeking qualified applicants for the Affordable Housing Specialist position in the Housing and Economic Development Department. The purpose of this position is to (1) perform professional functions in the coordination and administrative management of City-funded affordable housing policies, procedures, and programs, (2) support the implementation of initiatives to redevelop City-owned property for affordable housing and (3) support the Affordable Housing Division in accomplishing the City of Asheville’s objectives of creating and preserving affordable housing in the Asheville community. The ideal candidate for this position is well-organized, detail-oriented, skilled at data and file management,  an excellent communicator, and has experience in affordable housing development and/or finance. Employee reports to the Affordable Housing Officer.

This position is responsible for the coordination and administrative functions of City-funded affordable housing programs, including the Housing Trust Fund, the Land Use Incentive Grant Program, the Affordable Housing Plan, and the Fee Rebate Program. Work involves processing applications, managing record keeping and legal files; tracking affordable housing projects; preparing agreements and contracts for legal review; creating program reports on outcomes; and providing information and technical assistance to applicants.  An important piece of work will be monitoring affordable housing projects for compliance with contracts and program requirements.

This role supports affordable housing development initiatives on City-owned property and provides project support for City-initiated affordable and mixed-income development projects. Work includes processing contracts and agreements with developers, funding partners, and allied agencies, non-profits, and for-profit entities; managing consultants and contractors engaged to do work on the City’s behalf, including bid solicitation, evaluation, award, and negotiation; preparing website and communications materials for project(s); and monitoring project progress.

This position’s work is supported by close guidance, partnership, and supervision of the Affordable Housing Officer position and relies on robust internal working relationships with the City’s legal, finance, development services, and planning and urban design departments to accomplish objectives. Independent judgment and initiative are imperative in supporting long- and short-range plans for the City's affordable housing initiatives. Presentation skills, tact, and courtesy are required in frequent dealings with elected officials, other City departments, associated agencies, and the general public. Work is performed with considerable independence and is evaluated by assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of affordable housing programs.

Work Schedule: Generally Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; however, this position requires some evening attendance at community meetings and related meetings.  Flexible/remote work options are available.

Initial review of applications will occur as received. This position will remain open until filled or until a sufficient number of applications are received.

• Assists the Affordable Housing Officer in the administration of the City functions related to municipal-funded affordable housing initiatives and programs, such as Housing Trust Fund, Land Use Incentive Grant, Fee Rebates, and the Affordable Housing Plan.

• Processes and evaluates applications and financial records; prepares agreements and contracts; processes invoices and payment requests from payees.

• Monitors City-funded and Conditional Zoning projects for compliance with contracts and program requirements.

• Assists with management of consultants and contractors engaged to do work on the City’s behalf, including bid solicitation, evaluation, award, and negotiation;

• Prepares website and communications materials for project(s).

• Maintains systems of management for housing programs; troubleshoots issues and identifies practical solutions.

• Process and maintain a variety of essential program documentation, including forms, reports, contracts, and invoices.

• Utilize computer software proficiently for data entry, retrieval, review, and modification, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and email.

Supplemental Functions:

• Performs other similar duties as required.

Bachelor's degree in Community Development, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, Planning, Real Estate or related field, with two (2) to four (4) years of related experience, including grant program implementation and management experience.

Equivalent combination of experience may be considered.

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of affordable housing development and affordable housing incentive programs, regulations, and administrative requirements. 

• Knowledge of general management, local government, and business organization principles and practices. 

• Ability to exercise considerable independent judgment and discretion in managing and applying policies and procedures. 

• Ability to gather, analyze and interpret a variety of types of data and to make sound recommendations from the information. 

• Ability to develop effective promotional material for the City. 

• Proficiency with Google Suite and Microsoft Office.

Ability to:

• Ability to analyze situations to pinpoint problems and assist with solving problems or identifying sources of obstacles.

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships as required by work assignments.

• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to work with internal and external customers in a friendly, cooperative, and professional manner.

• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.

• Ability to bring resources together to resolve a problem or provide a solution.

• Ability to work well under pressure and to handle conflict in a professional manner

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Must be flexible, reliable and have the ability to work autonomously, as well as in a supportive/team based environment.

• Effective problem solver and decision maker.

• Ability to read and understand basic workplace data, such as simple forms, tables, graphs, schedules, etc.

• Ability to conduct research of existing, internal policies and procedures.

• Ability to think creatively in all areas for the purpose of increasing efficiency and effectiveness.

• Ability to research program documents and narrative materials, and develop reports from information gathered.

• Demonstrated cross-cultural skills in community, professional and business relations

• Ability to analyze and interpret policy, agreements and procedural guidelines and to apply this understanding to tasks.

• Ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written form.

• Ability to research program documents and narrative materials, and develop reports from information gathered.

ADA Compliance:
Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, taste, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.