Housing Specialist

Housing Specialist – Job DescriptionPlaza East Apartments · Kansas City, MO Position summaryThe Housing Specialist helps Plaza East residents who are behind on rent, or at risk of falling behind, secure rental assistance from Kansas City–area nonprofit organizations and public programs. The role is the property's single point of contact between residents, assistance providers, and the management office. Success means more households stay housed, delinquent balances are resolved faster, and every assistance payment is documented and applied correctly to the resident ledger. The specialist combines case-coordination skills with a working knowledge of property accounting and fair housing rules. Key responsibilitiesResident outreach and intake Review the aged delinquency report weekly and contact residents with past-due balances to help before eviction steps begin. Meet with residents to assess needs, explain available programs, and screen for eligibility. Help residents complete applications and gather required documents (ID, income verification, lease, ledger, past-due notices). Refer residents to supportive services such as utility assistance, employment programs, benefits enrollment, and financial counseling. Nonprofit and agency coordination Build and maintain working relationships with Kansas City–area rental assistance providers, including community action agencies, emergency assistance programs, faith-based charities, social service nonprofits, 211 referral lines, and local housing authority staff. Keep a current directory of programs with eligibility rules, funding availability, application windows, contacts, and turnaround times. Act as the property's liaison: provide caseworkers with ledgers, W-9s, landlord certifications, and verification of tenancy promptly. Track each application's status and follow up with agencies until funds are approved, denied, or redirected. Payment processing and ledger accuracy Confirm award amounts and the months or charges they cover and communicate them to the accounting team. Ensure assistance payments are received, posted correctly to resident ledgers, and reconciled against award letters. Coordinate payment plans for any remaining balance not covered by assistance. Coordinate with the Property Manager to pause or resolve collection and legal actions when assistance is pending, consistent with company policy and program requirements. Compliance and recordkeeping Maintain confidential, organized case files for every resident served. Follow each program's documentation and landlord-agreement requirements (for example, agreements not to evict for the covered period). Apply Fair Housing, ADA, and privacy requirements consistently in all resident interactions. Retention and resident support Help residents plan for sustained rent payment after assistance ends. Organize on-site information sessions or resource fairs with partner organizations. Flag at-risk households to management early, before balances become unmanageable. Reporting Produce a monthly report for the Property Manager and TEI asset management covering applications submitted, approvals, dollars received, balances resolved, and households retained. Report trends in resident need and gaps in available assistance. QualificationsRequired High school diploma or GED. 2+ years in property management, social services, case management, housing counseling, or a related field. Experience helping clients complete applications for public or nonprofit assistance programs. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for occasional visits to partner agencies. Ability to pass a background check. Preferred Associate or bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, public administration, or a related field. Existing relationships with Kansas City–area housing and social service organizations. Experience with emergency rental assistance programs, Housing Choice Vouchers, or other subsidy programs. Familiarity with property management software (e.g., Yardi, RealPage, Entrata, or AppFolio). Housing counseling, Fair Housing, or Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) training. Bilingual English/Spanish. Knowledge, skills, and abilitiesKnowledge of local rental assistance resources and how their eligibility, documentation, and payment processes work. Working knowledge of resident ledgers, delinquency, and basic property accounting. Understanding of Fair Housing law, landlord-tenant basics, and confidentiality standards. Strong case-management and follow-up habits; able to track many open applications at once. Clear, respectful communication with residents in financial distress, with empathy and professional boundaries. Confident representing the property with agency case workers and nonprofit leaders. Accurate data entry, organized recordkeeping, and comfort with Excel or similar tools for tracking and reporting. Sound judgment on when to escalate an issue to the Property Manager. Key performance measuresTargets should be set with the Property Manager once a baseline is established. Working conditions, compensation, and EEOWorking conditions. Office-based at Plaza East, with regular walking of the property for resident meetings and occasional travel to partner agencies in the Kansas City area. The role involves sensitive conversations with residents facing financial hardship. Compensation. Pay range and benefits to be confirmed by HR. Open question: the hourly range, and whether any portion is tied to performance measures. Time Equities, Inc. does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. Come join a great company and start a rewarding career path in a booming industry! For more information, please visit our website at www.timeequities.com This description is not an exhaustive list of duties. Responsibilities may change based on property and business needs. Salary: $50-60K