Occupancy Specialist

SHELTER, Inc. rebuilds lives one family at a time, by helping them re-establish a home and assisting with the skills and resources needed to live the life they deserve. Created in 1986, we are a community-based non-profit currently operating in Contra Costa, Solano, Sacramento, and Marin counties. In 2025 our compassionate teams helped 3,994 people secure or maintain their housing.

Compliance Monitoring and Inspections

• Audit lease agreements and tenant files to ensure documentation aligns with occupancy regulations (HUD, Fair Housing Act, local housing ordinances).
• Identify and document compliance deficiencies; coordinate corrective action plans with property management teams.
• Track inspection schedules and ensure timely resolution of outstanding violations.

Regulatory Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare and submit required occupancy and compliance reports to government agencies and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready records of all inspections, violations, corrective actions, and certifications.
• Monitor regulatory updates and proactively communicate policy changes to affected teams.
• Assist in preparing documentation for third-party audits, HUD reviews, and tax credit compliance reviews (LIHTC, Section 8, HOME, HOPWA, etc.)

Tenant and Stakeholder Interaction

• Respond to tenant inquiries and complaints related to occupancy and habitability standards.
• Coordinate with property management team to ensure proper tenant qualification and move-in/move-out compliance.
• Serve as liaison between property staff and regulatory agencies during inspections or investigations.

Training and Process Improvement

• As directed by manager, conducts compliance training to property management and leasing staff on Fair Housing, occupancy standards, and related regulations.
• Assist with standard operating procedures (SOPs) updates for compliance workflows.
• Identify process gaps and recommend system or policy improvements to reduce compliance risk and escalate recommendations to manager for approval.

• 1-3 years of experience in property management, housing compliance, MOR and REAC, or a related regulatory role.
• Working knowledge of Fair Housing laws, HUD regulations, and local occupancy codes.
• Experience with affordable housing programs (LIHTC, Section 8, HOME) strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with property management software (Yardi) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly convey regulatory requirements.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS), Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), or similar designation highly desired.
• Experience working with government housing agencies highly desired.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards (ADA, Section 504) preferred.

• Must successfully pass a criminal background check
• Must provide TB test clearance

SHELTER, Inc., is an equal opportunity employer. We believe diverse perspectives drive innovation and lead to better outcomes for the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.

Notice: This description is a guide only. Upon hire, you will receive a formal job description.