HUD Certified Housing Counselor (Bilingual Spanish/English)

About the role

The HUD Certified Housing Counselor’s duties entail providing direct engagement and housing counseling services to clients who come into APM with housing issues, such as potential first-time homebuyers; access to grants; those who have pre-foreclosure or defaulted in mortgage payments; or persons who face other housing problems and/or energy assistance needs.

Responsibilities

• Home Purchase/Pre-Purchase Counseling
• Educate the client on the entire home purchasing process, mortgage affordability, credit analysis, financial readiness for mortgages, foreclosure prevention, predatory lending, and fair housing.
• Aid the client in creating household budgets and applying for the Philly Home Grant.
• Provide financial counseling and analysis to borrowers.
• Post-Purchase Counseling
• Aid clients with budgeting, financial management, credit report analysis, and understanding the principles of home equity.
• Inform clients on avoiding predatory lending practices, comparing refinance options, and navigating the loan closing process. Offer foreclosure prevention forms and resources as needed.
• Support homeowners with advice on home maintenance, escrow analysis, utility cost management, energy efficiency improvements, understanding homeowner rights and responsibilities, and exploring available grant or loan options. Offer assistance for non-delinquency issues to ensure long-term housing stability.
• Rental Counseling, Eviction Avoidance and Diversion Counseling
• Provide information on the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords as well as Fair Housing Laws.
• Aid clients with budgeting, financial management, and referrals to utility and cash assistance programs.
• Aid clients through the City’s Eviction Diversion Program.
• Help tenants facing eviction, negotiate favorable payment agreements for rent arrearages with landlords.
• Support clients during mediation hearings.
• Mortgage Delinquency or Default Counseling Services
• Aid owner-occupants in pre-foreclosure situations with workout options to retain their homes.
• Review all workout options accordingly with the type of mortgage (Conventional, FHA Insured, VA).
• Aid clients apply for Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (“HEMAP”). Comply with the Act 91 Notice requirements for the homeowner by assisting with submitting timely applications.
• Conduct financial analysis, review income, credit, and budget.
• Property Tax, Water, and City Liens Counseling
• Help homeowners access programs for delinquent property taxes, water bills, and city liens.
• Support homeowners involved in litigation for delinquent taxes, including Rule Returnable Hearings.
• Aid with filing petitions to postpone Sheriff’s Sales.
• Group Sessions
• Conduct first-time homebuyer workshops.
• Work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Develop class curriculum as required.
• Client Management Systems (CMS)
• Utilize RX Office
• QuickBase
• Maintain customer files, including data entry, notes and outcomes.
• Data Entry and Reporting
• Enter case information into the client management data system promptly.
• Responsible for monthly and quarterly reporting.
• Support outreach activities, including events, workshops, and consultations.

Requirements

• B.A. or equivalent work experience.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English is a must.
• Diversion Court Certification strongly preferred.
• Minimum of one to three years of experience in housing counseling. Strong knowledge of the Housing Counseling industry.
• Prior case management and counseling certification strongly preferred.

Skills

• Ability to manage multiple funding streams (PHFA, DHCD, OSH, UNDIOS US)
• Computer literate; strong verbal and written skills.
• Ability to interact with potentially difficult clients.
• Ability to work and function under stressful settings.
• Ability to work in a high-paced setting while maintaining professional standards when dealing with clients, lenders, and other agencies.
• Good organizational skills and ability to prioritize job tasks.
• Strong computer skills, including good working knowledge of MS Office Suite and housing databases.