Regional Administering Agency (RAA) Liaison

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is seeking a Housing Program Specialist III/RAA Liaison in the Division of Public Housing/Bureau of Rental Assistance!

AGENCY MISSION:

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is responsible for building more homes and lowering housing costs across the Commonwealth through partnerships with municipalities, housing authorities, and community stakeholders.

OVERVIEW

The Housing Program Specialist III/ Regional Administering Agencies (RAA) Liaison is a position within the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) Bureau of Rental Assistance (BRA).

The RAA Liaison is the primary point of contact for the day-to-day operations and management for nine Regional Administering Agencies (RAAs) administering the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. The HCV programs at the RAAs comprise over 22,000 vouchers with at least six different special purpose voucher programs in addition to state and project-based voucher programs. The HPS III is a liaison among the RAAs, BRA program staff, and leadership.

The RAA Liaison works closely with RAA staff and subject matter experts to explain and promote consistent implementation of policies, improve operational performance, and strengthen communication between BRA and its partner agencies. The HPS III will provide technical assistance to RAAs on both federal and, where needed, state rental assistance programs on a wide range of topics including but not limited to regulations, systems, quality control, operations, administrative policies, and implementation of policy changes. The incumbent is expected to have subject matter expertise in the HCV program and to be knowledgeable about division priorities as they relate to RAA work. They will triage issues, be knowledgeable of roles and resources to refer questions as needed, mediate between RAAs, and escalate issues to supervisors or management as needed.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE):

1. Operations:

· Serve as the primary point of contact between EOHLC and the nine Regional Administering Agencies (RAAs) regarding operational questions and day-to-day program administration; maintaining clear and consistent communications with the LHA staff regarding management of the Housing Choice Voucher programs.

· Evaluate the day-to-day operations of RAAs and make recommendations for program changes to improve both compliance and performance.

· Provide guidance in general operational and procedural questions (written and oral).

· Conduct regularly scheduled and ad hoc meetings with RAAs to discuss program priorities and expectations, address questions, monitor progress, and follow up on action items.

· Negotiate/mediate disagreements between RAAs on policy and programmatic matters.

· Develop systems to track and monitor transfers between RAAs.

· Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with RAAs through regular communication and support.

2. Compliance & Monitoring:

· Participate in regular performance and compliance meetings with RAAs and facilitate discussion of performance and compliance monitoring results.

· Identify operational challenges and potential compliance risks, escalating to EOHLC management where necessary. Provide connection between RAA and HLC staff in Yardi processing, navigation, and user access issues, and track tickets/Client Central cases.

3. Data Management:

· Develop and maintain systems to ensure RAAs remain on track with program requirements, deadlines, and performance expectations.

· Work with BRA team, especially data and compliance staff, to provide regular updates to HLC management on individual and common or recurring RAA risks, barriers, and progress.

· Assist in data cleanup activities following system conversions.

4. Administrative:

· Be well-versed in federal voucher and Moving to Work (MTW) program rules, guidance, policies, and regulations.

· Be familiar with HCV Housing Quality Standards and assist in implementing the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate for Vouchers (NSPIRE-V).

· Prepare agendas, reports etc. for the regular meetings and provide appropriate written follow-up, including next steps, to-do items, and decisions made.

· Create other tracking tools, letters, documents to help standardize operations at the RAAs.

· Prepare, explain, and distribute policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and administrative guidance as needed.

· Prepare, review, and recommend revisions to the Administrative Plan to ensure compliance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations, state policies, and program objectives.

5. Training & Technical Assistance:

· As necessary, provide or coordinate on-site technical assistance to RAAs and escalate urgent issues to management.

· Through RAA meetings and correspondence, identify training needs and work with Training Coordinator to develop (or procure) trainings and prepare training materials.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Demonstrated experience administering or providing oversight of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and MTW Program, including interpretation and application of HUD regulations, notices, handbooks, and related guidance.

2. Experience working with public housing authorities, regional administering agencies, or other entities administering federally funded rental assistance programs.

3. Demonstrated experience evaluating program operations, identifying compliance or performance issues, and developing and implementing corrective or process-improvement strategies.

4. Experience providing technical assistance and guidance on complex housing program requirements to program administrators, staff, or external partner organizations.

5. Knowledge of HUD Special Purpose Voucher programs, such as HUD-VASH, Family Unification Program (FUP), Foster Youth to Independence (FYI), Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) vouchers, and Tenant Protection Vouchers.

6. Expertise of knowledge of federal and MTW supportive housing programs/services such as Family Self-Sufficiency and Sno-MASS.

7. Experience developing, interpreting, or implementing policies, procedures, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), administrative plans, or other program guidance.

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