Housing Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Here’s a more concise version:

The Housing Counselor manages homebuyer education and counseling programs, providing pre-purchase and mortgage delinquency guidance while addressing tenant issues and NYC housing laws. The role requires strong knowledge of housing counseling and the mortgage lending process, including collaboration with loan officers. Candidates must obtain HUD Certification within 90 days if not already certified.

Responsibilities of the Housing Counselor:

Homeownership Counseling

• Educate perspective homebuyers, on the process of purchasing a home, from the initial application process through the closing of the loan.

• Conduct workshops and educational sessions for first time home buying.

• Conduct financial literacy workshops.

• Conducts one-on-one, prepurchase counseling and group education workshops, virtually and in person.

• Work as liaison between the participating lending institution and the perspective homeowner, to ensure that the client understands each aspect of the process and is clear on what each person’s role is, including the lender, counselor and most importantly, the homebuyer.

• Attend training courses and workshops, as available, to ensure counselor remains abreast of industry trends, regulations and issues impacting the home buying process.

• Complete all reporting requirements in a timely fashion and ensure that all client information is entered into the current client data system, Counselor-Max.

• Ensure all client information remains confidential, with limited access to nonprogram staff.

Foreclosure Intervention Counseling

• Assist distressed homeowners, in danger of losing their home to foreclosure, through the process of providing one-on-one counseling to ensure that the homeowner is thoroughly aware of the foreclosure process and that they are fully engaged in the process to achieve a positive outcome.

• Work as a liaison between the homeowner and the servicer/lender, to negotiate an affordable mortgage modification and/or payment agreement, while maintaining a conceivable household budget.

• Ensure that the homeowner and the servicer provide documents in a timely fashion, and both work in the interest of the homeowner. Communication will be in-person, via telephone and email as requested.

• Prepare complete and accurate loss mitigation packages.

• Develop effective working relationships with servicers to ensure the highest quality of service for their mutual client.

• Conduct monthly foreclosure webinars/workshops.

• Attend meetings as required by program guidelines.

• Complete all reporting requirements in a timely fashion and ensure that all client information is entered into the current client data system, Counselor-Max.

Tenant Education and Counseling

Provide Educational workshops for tenants on renting, applying for affordable housing and housing vouchers.

Provide one-on-one counseling as follows for:

Tenants Looking for Apartments/ Affordable Housing

• Create a Budget

• Determine Affordability

• Research Housing Resources

• Apply for Affordable Housing – Housing connect/ NYCHA/ Home Sharing (Seniors)

• Explain leases and rental agreements

• Explain Tenant rights and responsibilities

• Apply for different Vouchers

• Shelter Assistance

• Determine the need for special accommodations

Current Renters

• Landlord Tenant Issues

• Rental Arrears Assistance

• Rent Freeze Applications- DRIE/SCRIE

• Repair issues- HPD/ Violations

• Eviction assistance

• Housing Court assistance

• Provide referrals

• Complete all reporting requirements in a timely fashion and ensure client information is entered into the current client data system, Counselor-Max.