Housing Programs Coordinator

If you’re passionate about fostering inclusive communities where everyone has access to affordable housing and opportunities to thrive, the Town of Chapel Hill is excited to invite you to consider the role of Housing Programs Coordinator supporting the Affordable Housing and Community Connections Department.

This is an exciting time for the Town of Chapel Hill. We have recently combined our Public Housing, Affordable Housing, and Community Connections teams into one department. The Housing Programs Coordinator will work as part of the Affordable Housing division supporting the team to advance our mission of creating partnership, catalyzing affordable housing, and building community. The ideal candidate will bring experience in housing program administration, a passion for working with people, and an innovative and collaborative mindset.

About the Organization:

The Town operates under a Council-Manager form of government, with the Town Manager reporting to the Mayor and eight at-large Council members. The Town has an approved $150 million budget for Fiscal Year 23 – 24 with 715 benefitted full-time positions and 200 non-benefited positions.

The Town’s mission is Learning, Serving, and Working Together to Build a Community Where People Thrive. The Town’s RESPECT values (Responsibility, Equity, Safety, Professionalism, Ethics, Communication, and Teamwork) are a compass for accomplishing that mission.

The Town’s strategic focus areas include Environmental Stewardship, Economic and Financial Stewardship, Affordable Housing, Connected Community, Healthy and Inclusive Community, Safe Community, and Employee Recruitment and Retention. Find more information about the Town here.

About the Affordable Housing and Community Connections Department:
The Town’s Affordable Housing and Community Connections Department includes four divisions: public housing, affordable housing, community connections, and administration, which work collaboratively to execute the Town Council’s affordable housing and equitable community engagement goals. The department is committed to fostering an environment where everyone on the team is empowered to lead and achieve results consistent with the Council’s goals and the department’s work plan.

About the Role:

The ideal candidate has:

• Project and Program Management Skills: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, including planning, implementation, and evaluation, while adhering to deadlines and budgets.
• Knowledge of Affordable Housing: Understanding of affordable housing practices, programs, and policies.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills to convey complex information clearly to diverse stakeholders, including residents, Town leadership, and community organizations.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Capacity to identify challenges and develop innovative solutions to improve housing affordability, accessibility, and quality.
• Technology Proficiency: Familiarity with contemporary software and tools for data analysis, financial management, and project tracking to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in department operations.
• Cultural Competency: Sensitivity to the needs and experiences of diverse populations, including low-income individuals, communities of color, immigrant and refugee populations, and other historically under-engaged populations whom the department serves.

Essential Functions

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Housing Programs Coordinator will be responsible for planning, implementing, and managing affordable housing programs and projects, primarily including the Town’s Transitional Housing and Employee Housing Programs, and other programs as needs arise. This position is key to ensuring effective communication, resolving issues promptly, and supporting outreach efforts. The Coordinator serves as the main point of contact, recruits participants, addresses inquiries and concerns, and facilitates strong connections within the community. This role requires an energetic commitment to program administration, as well as the ability to work independently in both field and office settings.

Transitional Housing Program: This program offers a structured program of support to eligible low-income households who are transitioning from the Town’s public housing toward homeownership or renting on the private market. Typical duties include:

• Overseeing the tenant application process and recruiting and selecting households for the program
• Overseeing lease-up and certification, as well as move-in and move-outs
  Coordinating financial workshops for program participants
• Providing consistent case management support for families, assisting program participants to adhere to terms of lease agreements, sharing information about community resources and services, and assisting families with accessing and applying for resources and assistance
• Monitoring and overseeing unit renovation and repair, and acting as a liaison between maintenance and program participants
• Overseeing the program budget in collaboration with administrative staff.

This position works closely with the public housing division for program referrals.

Employee Housing Program: This program provides financial support to income-eligible Town of Chapel Hill employees to be able to live closer to the community they serve by providing home buyer and rental assistance. Key duties include:

• Overseeing the application process
• Conducting program outreach throughout Town departments
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with landlords and lenders
• Overseeing the program budget in collaboration with administrative staff
  Monitoring compliance with program guidelines and conducting program evaluation
• The Town recently adopted an Affordable Housing Plan and Investment Strategy that supports the continuation, expansion, and creation of additional housing programs as resources allow. This position may be involved in the design and/or administration of future housing programs that the Town expands and/or creates.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
None.

Knowledge of or a willingness to learn:

• Affordable housing programs
• Property management
• Administration of direct service programs serving low-income households
• Contract management
• Principles, practices, and trends in local government

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, community partners, and residents
• Solve problems and make sound decisions, taking initiative independently while working as part of a highly collaborative team
• Effectively organize work and prioritize tasks using a workplan system
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to respond effectively to common inquiries or concerns from program participants
• Model behaviors that are consistent with our values of RESPECT and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Physical Demands:

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk with intermittent standing or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light objects.

Work Environment:

• The work is typically performed in an office environment. Potential for hybrid work available.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required. Bachelor’s degree in public administration, social work, human services, or related field required. Master’s degree in public administration, social work, or related field preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

Experience:

• Two years of relevant experience required.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations

• A valid NC driver’s license.