Housing & Financial Counselor

HOUSING INITIATIVE PARTNERSHIP:

Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc. (HIP) develops innovative affordable housing, revitalizes neighborhoods, and equips people to achieve their housing and financial goals. Our vision is that every person lives in high-quality affordable housing in a thriving community. HIP maintains offices in Hyattsville in Prince George’s County and Germantown in Montgomery County, Maryland.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Housing & Financial Counselor is an experienced member of HIP’s Housing Counseling & Services team who provides comprehensive housing counseling and financial coaching services. In addition to maintaining a counseling caseload, the Counselor has responsibility for program reporting, data quality, performance monitoring, and staff training and technical assistance. The Counselor works closely with program leadership to monitor progress toward grant and contract deliverables, identify and address performance gaps, and promote consistent, high-quality housing counseling and financial coaching services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Housing Counseling Responsibilities

• Secure and/or maintain HUD Housing Counselor Certification.
• Provide rental, pre-purchase, foreclosure prevention, and post-purchase counseling to clients.
• Counsel homeowners and tenants regarding available protections, responsibilities, and resources to avoid foreclosure or eviction.
• Meet one-on-one with prospective homebuyers to help them become mortgage ready and prepared for successful homeownership.
• Conduct pre-closing counseling sessions for homebuyers preparing to finalize a home purchase.
• Stay current on housing industry trends, affordable housing resources, lending products, and available assistance programs.
• Support HIP’s efforts to maintain compliance as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.

Financial Coaching Responsibilities

• Maintain required financial counseling/coaching certification and participate in ongoing professional development.
• Assess client financial needs and develop individualized financial action plans.
• Provide one-on-one financial coaching and follow-up sessions designed to help clients achieve financial goals.
• Assist clients with budgeting, money management, debt reduction, credit building, savings strategies, and identifying safe and affordable financial products.
• Monitor the distribution of client incentive funds, including savings matches and housing financial assistance, to ensure funds are disbursed, documented, and tracked in accordance with program policies and funding requirements.
• Track and document client progress toward financial goals, including changes in credit, debt, savings, and other financial outcomes.
• Integrate referrals and wraparound services, including benefits access, tax preparation, and other community resources, as appropriate.

Program Performance & Reporting Responsibilities

• Monitor program data and outcomes to assess progress toward grant and contract deliverables and identify areas requiring additional attention.
• Prepare and review required program and funder reports and help ensure the accuracy and completeness of reported data.
• Analyze client and program data to identify trends, performance gaps, and opportunities to improve outcomes.
• Work with program leadership and staff to develop strategies to address performance gaps and keep programs on track to meet established goals.
• Conduct periodic data-quality reviews and help ensure consistent and accurate documentation within HIP’s client management systems.
• Assist with the continued development and effective use of Bonterra Apricot and other program data-management tools.
• Provide training, technical assistance, and guidance to counseling staff on financial coaching, program requirements, documentation, data collection, and outcome tracking.

Admin and Program Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete client files and data entry within required client management systems.
• Participate in team meetings and provide updates on activities, program performance, and client outcomes.
• Participate in outreach activities and community events as needed.
• Be available for occasional evening or weekend workshops, outreach events, or client sessions.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in housing counseling, financial counseling/coaching, lending, social services, real estate, underwriting, financial services, or a related field.
• Financial counseling or coaching certification required.
• HUD Housing Counselor Certification preferred or willingness to obtain certification within the required timeframe.
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial capability coaching, including budgeting, credit improvement, debt reduction, savings, and financial goal setting.
• Experience with program reporting, data analysis, performance monitoring, or outcome measurement preferred.
• Experience training, mentoring, or providing technical assistance to staff preferred.
• Strong counseling, analytical, advocacy, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, reporting requirements, and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and client management databases; experience with Bonterra Apricot or similar systems preferred.
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish preferred.
• Passion for HIP’s mission and commitment to serving low/moderate-income households.

ADA SPECIFICATIONS:

This position is primarily sedentary and based in HIP’s Maryland offices with hybrid work opportunities, as approved. The position may require occasional bending and lifting, regular local travel to outreach events and meetings, and occasional evening or weekend work. Occasional overnight travel for conferences or trainings may also be required. Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary range: $70,000-$73,000 annual salary based on experience. HIP offers a competitive benefits package including retirement, health insurance, long-term disability, vacation, and sick leave.

LOCATION AND HOURS:

This is a full-time position at 37.5 hours a week. This is a hybrid position requiring regular in-office presence and participation in outreach events, workshops, and off-site meetings, as needed. The position will serve Prince George’s and Montgomery County clients, and be based in HIP’s Germantown and Hyattsville offices, depending on program needs.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please email a cover letter and resume to Mary Hunter, Director of Housing Counseling & Services, at mhunter@hiphomes.org.

Housing Initiative Partnership is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

HIP offers a competitive benefits package including retirement, health insurance, long-term disability, vacation, and sick leave.

Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish preferred.