Affordable Housing Specialist

City of Charlotte • Goodwell, OK

1d

About The Position

Housing & Neighborhood Services focuses on creating vibrant, diverse neighborhoods through the delivery of five major service areas: Community Engagement, which works to create successful neighborhoods where people of diverse backgrounds and incomes can build successful lives; Code Enforcement, which works to improve the appearance of communities and maintain standards of living; Housing Services, which provides housing and other programs and services for families residing in the City of Charlotte; CharMeck311, which provides important information and services for customers in the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County; and the Office of Youth Opportunities, which works with youth and young adults in the community to provide resources and opportunities for growth and upward mobility. Summary: The Affordable Housing Specialist serves as a key connector between the City of Charlotte, a community-based nonprofit organization, and partners seeking further affordable housing opportunities. This position is a city-supported contract role, embedded within a nonprofit partner to strengthen neighborhood-level engagement, advance equitable housing development strategies, and support community-driven revitalization efforts. The Affordable Housing Specialist maintains deep expertise in Charlotte’s affordable housing ecosystem, including the Charlotte Housing Trust Fund (HTF), federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, and other local, state, and philanthropic housing resources. The role supports developers, nonprofits, and community partners in navigating funding opportunities, aligning projects with City of Charlotte housing priorities, and structuring developments to leverage layered financing. The Specialist proactively identifies funding opportunities, connects partners to technical assistance and predevelopment resources, and promotes best practices in affordable housing development—such as strategic funding layering, compliance with HUD and local program requirements, and coordination with supportive services that promote long-term housing stability. The role also builds strong relationships with neighborhood organizations, housing providers, and residents to ensure projects are responsive to community needs while advancing Charlotte’s housing production and preservation goals. By serving as a trusted, on-the-ground resource, the Affordable Housing Specialist contributes to long-term neighborhood resilience and increased development of affordable housing and community capacity.

Requirements

• Strong understanding of affordable housing financing and development strategies, including local, state, and federal housing resources, cross-cutting federal requirements (e.g., environmental review, Section 3, and fair housing), best practices in affordable housing development, and Charlotte zoning and land use policies that influence site selection, density, and project feasibility.
• Working knowledge of neighborhood dynamics, community revitalization, and resident-driven planning approaches.
• Ability to build rapport and maintain trust with community members, nonprofit staff, and City partners.
• Excellent communication skills—able to explain complex housing concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities; able to manage multiple tasks, priorities, and projects independently.
• Proactive and self-motivated approach to work; able to identify opportunities and carry projects forward with limited supervision.
• Competency in basic data collection, documentation, and reporting practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and comfort learning new information systems.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to assess community needs, troubleshoot barriers, and recommend solutions.
• Requires a high school diploma or equivalent with three years of relevant work experience, an associate degree with one year of relevant work experience, a bachelor’s degree, along with knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, urban planning, social work, community development, or a related field.
• Experience working with community-based nonprofits or neighborhood organizations.
• Familiarity with City of Charlotte housing programs and policies.
• Bilingual skills (Spanish) a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Resource Identification Serve as a primary point of contact for developers seeking affordable housing information, connecting them to programs such the housing trust fund, homeownership initiatives, housing rehabilitation resources, and other City or nonprofit services.
• Provide one-on-one guidance to developers and project partners to navigate housing systems and understand eligibility, timelines, and next steps.
• Maintain current expertise on federal, state, and local affordable housing programs and funding sources, including the Charlotte Housing Trust Fund (HTF), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), along with associated compliance requirements, funding cycles, and best practices for leveraging layered financing to support housing production and preservation.
• Neighborhood Engagement and Capacity Building Build deep, ongoing relationships with neighborhood residents, leaders, and stakeholders to understand community needs, priorities, and opportunities related to housing.
• Work proactively within the nonprofit organization to strengthen internal capacity, helping design, support, or expand housing-related programs, workshops, or initiatives.
• Facilitate listening sessions, informational meetings, or outreach events to share housing resources and gather community feedback.
• Project Development and Resource Deployment Identify housing-related opportunities, unmet needs, or gaps in services and assist the nonprofit partner in shaping responsive projects or programming.
• Support coordination of affordable housing or community development initiatives, helping to align resources, partners, and timelines.
• Assist with grant research, documentation, or project planning to help the nonprofit organization leverage available tools and funding for community benefit.
• Data Management and Reporting Maintain accurate records of resident interactions, resource referrals, program utilization, and project activity.
• Track trends, barriers, and emerging community concerns; provide summaries to City staff and nonprofit leadership.
• Support data collection and reporting that tracks housing outcomes and informs strategic decisions, including contributing to City of Charlotte housing dashboards and open data tools, monitoring metrics such as Housing Trust Fund investments, affordable housing units created or preserved, and program activity by council district.
• Partnership and Collaboration Coordinate closely with City housing staff, nonprofit leadership, and external partners to ensure consistent communication and alignment of services.
• Represent the nonprofit partner and the city in meetings, workshops, and community functions as needed.
• Foster trust-based relationships that promote long-term collaboration and equitable access to resources.

Benefits

• The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.
• Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED