Director of Housing Choice Voucher Programs

Housing Authority of the Birmingham District•Birmingham, AL

About The Position

The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District ("HABD") is Alabama's most significant public housing authority. With approximately 4,500 public housing units, several tax credit and Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) properties, about 6,300 vouchers, and several Project-Based Voucher (PBV) properties, HABD provides quality, affordable housing to almost 22,000 individuals. The primary purpose of this position is to lead the operations of the Housing Choice Voucher ("HCV") program and other rental assistance programs at the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District ("HABD" or "Authority"). The incumbent is responsible for interpreting federal, state, and local regulations regarding the HCV program operations. This position is also responsible for preparing reports measuring the program's success and ensuring that program activities comply with federal, state, local, and Authority regulations. HABD seeks individuals passionate about affordable housing, the families we serve, and the Housing Choice Voucher program. HABD is committed to transformative change in its HCV program and seeks a leader who can achieve excellence in operations, program expansion, and service innovations. All activities must support HABD's mission, strategic goals, and objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, or related field and a minimum of seven (7) years of experience in public and/or assisted housing, including a minimum of three (3) years of experience in a management capacity. An equivalent of a combination of education, training, and experience, which, at the sole determination of the Housing Authority, provides the required knowledge and abilities, may be considered sufficient.
Must possess or have the ability to obtain a Housing Choice Voucher Manager Certification within one (1) year of employment.
Some positions may require possession of a valid driver's license and the ability to be insurable under HABD's automobile insurance plan at the standard rate.
To perform this job successfully, the employee should have strong computer skills (e.g., MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Must learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks. Currently, HABD utilizes the Yardi platform as its system of record.

Responsibilities

Directs the work of staff, including assigning, planning, and reviewing work; effectively evaluating work performance and completing performance evaluations; motivating staff and maintaining team cohesion; coordinating activities, maintaining standards, allocating personnel, selecting new employees, training staff, acting on employee problems, and recommending and implementing discipline.
Directs all Rental Assistance Department operations; establishes, communicates, monitors, and evaluates department goals and initiatives; creates, implements, and maintains monitoring and reporting systems to ensure quality and timeliness of department and program work.
Leads efforts to expand the portfolio of rental assistance and other grant-funded programs administered by HABD.
Ensures staff maintain affirming, effective communication with participant families, owners/agents, neighborhood groups, housing advocates, and service providers.
Monitors and analyzes Housing Assistance Payments ("HAP"), voucher issuance, and participant attrition to ensure steady, authorized utilization of Housing Choice Vouchers, including special purpose vouchers such as VASH, Mainstream, FUP/FYI, and the Project-Based Voucher program.
Oversees the inspection function and ensures that housing quality standards are developed, monitored, and adhered to for all programs.
Evaluates applicant and participant access barriers, revise policies, and implement practices to reduce and eliminate barriers.
Reviews program policies against changing regulations, laws, and viewpoints to coordinate the timely implementation of amended goals and policies. Develop and implement HCV policies and procedures to include the Administrative Plan.
Manages a comprehensive quality control program, identifies compliance risk areas, and oversees risk audits as necessary in various program-related aspects, including HQS, SEMAP, finance, fair housing, etc. Presents thoughtful solutions for managing and mitigating risk.
Prepares performance and activity reports, including VMS, utilization, and PIC reports for HABD leadership, including for dissemination to the Board of Commissioners, and attends board meetings to respond to information verbally.
Prepares applications and supporting data to secure additional funding and programs from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to increase housing opportunities for families.
Forecasts funds needed for program administration, and HAP employs cost savings strategies as required.
Develops program budgets and coordinate with the HABD Finance Department to ensure adequate subsidy assistance to maximize program participation without exceeding authorized voucher allocations.
Reviews, develops, and modifies Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMR) and payment standards for the program; analyzes area rental markets and rent burdens; develops, reviews, and monitors utility allowance schedules.
Ensures HUD performance standards and other reporting requirements are maintained at a high-performance level and/or improved if required; ensures accuracy and efficiency of all HCV utilization activities to include a comprehensive written quality control process; conducts reviews and audits to assure that policies, procedures, and regulations are adhered to.
Supervises the landlord services functions, including initial, annual, interim, special, and quality control inspections, rent reasonableness determinations, landlord clearance, contracting, education and outreach to prospective landlords/units, supervision of staff, and monitoring of inspection contracts.
Monitors HCV program performance and policy adherence; reviews client folders before quality control reviews; provides personnel training and development; and stays abreast of proposed changes in policies, procedures, guidelines, and best practices in personnel development.
Represents HABD when meeting with elected officials, private landlords, housing advocacy groups and organizations, community associations, and other entities to explain program policies, goals, etc.
Leads the development of the Project Based Voucher (PBV) program, including issuing solicitations, managing contracts, monitoring utilization, etc.
Performs other related duties as assigned.