HUD Certified Housing Counselor

ABOUT APM 

Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM) has been empowering families to reach their full potential since 1970. We provide a wide range of services to the North Philadelphia community, including early childhood education, foster care and adoption, child welfare, mental and behavioral health, community and economic development, housing, community school support, and violence intervention programs.

JOB SUMMARY

The Housing and Urban Development (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. Some of the main duties are responsibilities are listed below.

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.
• Assist the client in creating household budgets and applying for the Philly Home Grant.
• Provide financial counseling and analysis to borrowers.

Post-Purchase Counseling

• Assist clients with budgeting, financial management, credit report analysis, and understanding the principles of home equity.  
• Educate clients on avoiding predatory lending practices, comparing refinance options, and navigating the loan closing process. Provide 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.
• Assist with budgeting, financial management, and referrals to utility and cash assistance programs.
• Assist 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 includes but not limited to:

• Assist 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).
• Assist 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.  
• Assist 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.

BENEFITS

• Health Insurance through Independence Administrators or $100/month reimbursement with proof of current insurance
• Vision and Dental Plans through SunLife
• Basic Life Insurance (100% Employer Funded)
• 403B Retirement Plan with Company Contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Health, Childcare, and Public Transportation expenses
• Employee Assistance Program including free counseling, trainings, webinars, and other resources
• Could be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program as APM is a non-profit
• Voluntary Plans include Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity
• Short-term and Long-term Disabilities
• Employee Referral Program
• 20 Days of Paid Time Off include Illness, Vacation, Appointments, and Emergencies
• 12 Days of Paid Holidays

• Must comply with National Industry Standards for Homeownership Counseling and hold a current certification as a HUD Housing Counselor. Additional training, if necessary, will be provided at the discretion of the Senior VP. 
• 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. 

Other 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.