Housing Programs and Policy Administrator

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO APPLY, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: WWW.ROANOKEVA.GOV/JOBS 

Under the general direction of the designated supervisor, this position manages and oversees a portfolio of complex affordable housing and housing finance programs for the City. The Housing Programs and Policy Manager is responsible for the strategic development, implementation, and evaluation of housing finance initiatives and program operations, including those funded by local, state, and federal sources (e.g., HUD, DHCD, Virginia Housing).

This role supervises professional staff and may oversee programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), LEAD SAFE Grant Program and Healthy Homes Grant Program, Inclusionary Zoning programs, and various homeownership and rental finance initiatives. The position provides subject matter expertise, engages in interagency coordination, ensures regulatory compliance, supports budget and contract management, and represents the City before elected officials, advisory boards, community stakeholders, and housing development partners.

Essential Job Functions:

· Program Management: Oversees the design, delivery, and continuous evaluation of affordable housing programs. Establishes goals, performance metrics, and operational improvements aligned with strategic priorities and regulatory requirements.

· Financial Strategy & Housing Finance: Develops and manages innovative financing strategies to support affordable rental and homeownership development using tools such as LIHTC, HUD 221(d)4, REACH, CDFI funding, and the Virginia Housing Trust Fund.

· Budget and Resource Oversight: Prepares and manages program budgets; ensures accurate accounting, encumbrance, and expenditure of funds; and monitors program revenue and financial performance metrics.

· Staff Supervision and Development: Provides supervision, performance management, and training for assigned staff. Establishes individual and team goals, monitors performance, and provides coaching and professional development.

· Regulatory Compliance: Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local housing program regulations. Interprets and implements regulatory changes and supports audit and monitoring processes.

· Policy and Program Development: Conducts research and recommends policies, procedures, and programmatic improvements. Leads the development

of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and strategic planning efforts toward adoption of a comprehensive, City-wide Housing Strategy.

· Stakeholder Engagement: Coordinates with external partners including nonprofit developers, for-profit developers, lenders, community organizations, and local towns. Provides expert advice to City Council and Council-appointed Boards and Commissions, as needed.

· Community Outreach and Marketing: Promotes housing programs through community outreach, public presentations, and stakeholder education. Maintains and updates program materials and the City’s housing-related web presence.

· Data Management and Reporting: Oversees data collection, analysis, and reporting related to program outcomes, housing trends, and service needs. Prepares detailed, data-driven staff reports and presentations to inform policy decisions.

· Special Projects: Leads or participates in cross-functional teams and special projects as assigned by the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, or Department leadership.

Illustrative Job Tasks:

· Program Leadership & Oversight:

o Manages a range of housing programs including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), , and other rental/homeownership assistance initiatives, including, but not limited oversight of the LEAD SAFE Grant Program and Healthy Homes Grant Program.

o Develops and implements all components of the City’s efforts to finance and produce affordable and workforce housing.

o Leads the strategic planning and operational execution for programs, ensuring alignment with community needs and housing goals.

· Financial Expertise & Housing Development:

o Provides technical expertise on and implementation strategies for complex affordable housing finance mechanisms (e.g., LIHTC, HUD 221(d)4, REACH Virginia, Virginia Housing Trust Fund, CDFIs).

o Identifies and leverages funding opportunities across local, state, federal, and private sectors to maximize affordable housing investments.

o Supports loan program design, underwriting, and the structuring of development deals for multifamily and mixed-income housing.

· Research, Data, and Evaluation:

o Conducts and oversees research on housing market conditions, development trends, and neighborhood revitalization.

o Collects, analyzes, and reports data to evaluate program performance and to inform funding strategies, policies, and service improvements.

o Develops and maintains dashboards, tracking tools, and internal metrics to monitor program efficiency and outcomes.

· Staff Supervision & Development:

o Supervises and supports program staff and/or volunteers; provides coaching, training, and ongoing professional development.

o Develops and monitors staff performance plans, conducts regular evaluations, and ensures alignment with City HR policies.

o Facilitates team meetings, sets priorities, manages workload distribution, and promotes collaboration across teams.

· Community Engagement & Stakeholder Collaboration:

o Builds partnerships with affordable housing developers (nonprofit and for-profit), community organizations, faith-based groups, realtors, and financial institutions.

o Coordinates with neighboring localities to advance housing development opportunities regionally.

o Conducts outreach and educational events to raise awareness about housing programs, eligibility, and services.

o Identifies opportunities for capacity-building to meet the specific housing objectives of inventory, housing types and affordability, as outlined in an overall housing strategy.

· Policy Development & Regulatory Compliance:

o Ensures program adherence to federal, state, and local housing laws, HUD regulations and guidelines, and City policies.

o Serves as the City’s liaison to the Fair Housing Board.

o Develops and updates Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency and quality in program operations.

o Implements Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Minimum Qualifications:

· Education: Master’s degree in Housing Finance, Real Estate Development, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Business Management, or a closely related field preferred; Bachelor’s degree required.

· Experience: At least four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in affordable housing finance and program management, including loan/mortgage lending for multi-family or rental housing, and at least one (1) year of supervisory experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local affordable housing programs, including LIHTC, CDBG, HOME, ESG, HUD 221(d)4, and Virginia Housing programs.

· Proficiency in real estate finance, mortgage lending, underwriting, and contract management.

· Knowledge of zoning, housing construction, rehabilitation processes, and legal real estate documents.

· Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.

· Ability to communicate complex information clearly, both verbally and in writing, to technical and non-technical audiences.

· Proven ability to lead teams, manage budgets, develop policies, and conduct stakeholder engagement.

· Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing housing programs.

· Ability to develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders including elected officials, developers, nonprofits, and the public.

· Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and relevant automated systems for housing program management.

· Ability to plan strategically, think critically, and solve problems with sound judgment.

Certifications, Licenses, and Special Requirements:

· Valid driver’s license with a good driving record.

· Must pass pre-employment background checks (including criminal and DMV).

· Completion of HUD-required training/certifications may be required during the probationary period.

· AICP certification preferred.
Supplemental Information

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. 

REASONING ABILITY 
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand and walk.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT  
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.