Affordable Housing Certification Specialist/Community Service Representative

Work Location & Schedule

This is a hybrid role, primarily based on-site in Jamaica Plain, MA. The majority of working hours require a physical presence at the property to manage resident interactions, maintenance coordination, vendor oversight, inspections, and Board responsibilities. Remote work flexibility is available for administrative tasks such as compliance reporting, AppFolio management, financial reporting, and correspondence, at the discretion of Common Good Management Services.

On-site presence is required for: resident move-ins and move-outs, unit and common area inspections, vendor supervision, Board meetings, HCV inspections, and any situation requiring in-person resident or emergency response.

Reporting Structure

The Property Manager reports to the Operations & Accounting Manager at Common Good Management Services. The on-site Maintenance Employee is a peer, also reporting to the Operations & Accounting Manager. The Property Manager works collaboratively with the Maintenance Employee on a day-to-day basis to coordinate work order completion, unit inspections, make-readies, and property upkeep, but does not have supervisory authority over the Maintenance Employee. Issues requiring personnel escalation should be directed to the Operations & Accounting Manager.

About Common Good Management Services

Common Good Management Services is a multi-state property management company specializing in low income and affordable housing. We are committed to providing high-quality, professionally managed housing for residents while maintaining full regulatory compliance across our portfolio.

Position Overview

Common Good Management Services seeks an experienced Property Manager to oversee a 50-unit, 100% affordable housing community in Boston, MA. All units are restricted under the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC/Section 42) program. A portion of residents hold mobile Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV/Section 8) issued by the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) or other issuing agencies. The property is governed by a resident Condo/HOA Board of Directors. An on-site Maintenance Employee handles day-to-day and minor repairs; larger and capital work is performed by third-party vendors.

The Property Manager is responsible for full-scope property management including LIHTC and HCV compliance, financial performance, maintenance coordination, resident relations, and serving as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors. This hybrid role requires strong organizational skills, the ability to collaborate effectively with a peer maintenance employee, deep familiarity with affordable housing regulations, and proficiency in AppFolio.

Key Responsibilities

Maintenance Coordination

• Collaborate with the on-site Maintenance Employee to prioritize and assign day-to-day and minor repair work orders in AppFolio
• Communicate resident maintenance requests clearly and promptly to the Maintenance Employee
• Follow up on open work orders in AppFolio to ensure timely completion and resident communication
• Coordinate unit make-ready process with the Maintenance Employee and third-party vendors as needed
• Escalate maintenance tasks beyond the Maintenance Employee's scope to appropriate third-party vendors
• Conduct regular unit and common area inspections (on-site)
• Ensure all units meet NSPIRE/HQS standards; coordinate with the Maintenance Employee and vendors to address deficiencies
• Engage and manage third-party vendors for larger repairs, capital work, and specialized trades
• Solicit bids, manage vendor contracts, and review and approve vendor invoices in AppFolio
• Support BERDO-related capital planning by tracking energy systems, equipment age, and utility data
• Coordinate Board-approved capital improvement projects with vendors, the Maintenance Employee, and ownership

Board of Directors Liaison

• Serve as the primary point of contact between Common Good Management Services and the resident Board of Directors
• Prepare and present monthly or quarterly management reports to the Board including occupancy, financials, maintenance, and compliance updates
• Attend and support Board meetings (on-site or virtual)
• Implement Board-approved policies, decisions, and capital improvement priorities
• Advise the Board on regulatory requirements, operational best practices, and affordable housing compliance obligations
• Coordinate Board communications with ownership, legal counsel, and third-party consultants including FinePoint Associates
• Ensure Board activities remain within the boundaries set by the LIHTC regulatory agreement and applicable laws
• Manage sensitive resident or community issues with discretion, escalating to the Board as appropriate

LIHTC Compliance

• Maintain 100% LIHTC compliance for all units per IRS Section 42 requirements
• Conduct annual and interim income recertifications for all 50 households
• Monitor and enforce LIHTC rent and income limits established by MassHousing/DHCD
• Submit annual compliance reports to MassHousing or DHCD
• Prepare for and manage LIHTC compliance audits
• Maintain complete, audit-ready tenant files meeting LIHTC documentation standards
• Ensure compliance with Fair Housing laws and Affirmative Fair Marketing Plan
• Manage waitlist in accordance with the Tenant Selection Plan (TSP)

Mobile Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Administration

• Coordinate lease-up process for incoming HCV holders, including required lease and HAP documentation
• Submit and manage Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) packages with BHA or issuing housing authority
• Ensure units meet HQS or NSPIRE inspection standards; schedule and facilitate inspections per voucher holder (on-site)
• Process rent reasonableness determinations at move-in and at each rent increase request
• Collect and reconcile split rent payments: tenant-paid portion and monthly HAP payments per household
• Maintain accurate HAP payment records and follow up on payment discrepancies with the housing authority
• Coordinate with BHA or issuing agency on individual voucher holder issues, recertifications, and program changes
• Manage move-outs for HCV households including proper notice to the issuing housing authority
• Track voucher expiration dates and assist residents with voucher extensions where applicable

Leasing & Occupancy

• Market vacant units per Affirmative Fair Marketing requirements
• Screen applicants for income eligibility under LIHTC requirements and accept HCV holders
• Process move-ins, move-outs, and unit transfers (on-site)
• Maintain occupancy at 95% or above across all 50 units
• Manage lease renewals and enforce lease terms
• Conduct thorough move-in and move-out unit inspections (on-site)

Financial Management

• Collect tenant-paid rent portions and reconcile against HAP payments per household
• Proactively manage rent delinquencies
• Prepare and manage the annual operating budget in coordination with the Board

Tenant Relations

• Serve as primary point of contact for all 50 households
• Enforce lease terms and manage lease violations in accordance with MA law
• Process evictions in compliance with Massachusetts landlord-tenant law
• Coordinate with social service providers if a supportive housing component is present
• Facilitate community communications, notices, and resident engagement
• Assist residents with RAFT, ERAP, and other rental assistance applications as needed

Administrative

• Manage all day-to-day property operations in AppFolio including tenant ledgers, lease management, work orders, and owner reporting
• Maintain organized, audit-ready tenant and property files (physical and digital)
• Coordinate with FinePoint Associates on compliance monitoring, file reviews, and audit preparation
• Respond promptly to FinePoint Associates requests for documentation and corrective action items
• Complete and submit annual BERDO energy and emissions report to the City of Boston; coordinate with ownership and vendors to gather required utility and building data
• Coordinate insurance claims and risk management activities
• Ensure compliance with Boston/MA building codes and licensing requirements

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 3 years of property management experience in LIHTC affordable housing
• Demonstrated knowledge of IRS Section 42 LIHTC compliance requirements
• Experience with tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher (HCV/Section 8) administration
• Familiarity with RFTA process, rent reasonableness determinations, and HQS/NSPIRE inspections
• Hands-on experience conducting income certifications and maintaining LIHTC tenant files
• Ability to work collaboratively with peer staff in a team-oriented environment
• Proficiency in AppFolio including work order management, tenant ledgers, and affordable housing.
• Experience managing third-party maintenance vendors and overseeing work order completion
• Experience working with or reporting to a Board of Directors or similar governing body
• Ability to work independently and manage responsibilities across both on-site and remote settings
• Strong knowledge of Massachusetts landlord-tenant law and Fair Housing regulations
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and time management skills

Preferred

• COS (Certified Occupancy Specialist) certification
• TCS (Tax Credit Specialist) or HCCP (Housing Credit Certified Professional)
• CPM or ARM designation through IREM
• Prior experience working directly with the Boston Housing Authority (BHA)
• Familiarity with MassHousing and DHCD compliance and reporting systems
• Experience working with third-party compliance consultants such as FinePoint Associates
• Bilingual skills (Spanish or other community languages a plus)

Boston-Specific Requirements

• Knowledge of Boston's Just Cause Eviction ordinance and tenant protection laws
• Familiarity with RAFT and ERAP emergency rental assistance programs and processes
• Experience coordinating with Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD)
• Understanding of MA Consumer Protection laws (Chapter 93A) as applied to housing
• Ability to navigate MassHousing and DHCD compliance and reporting portals
• Working knowledge of BHA administrative procedures for HCV holders
• Familiarity with BERDO (Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance) reporting requirements; ability to coordinate annual energy and emissions data collection and submission to the City of Boston
• Experience or willingness to work with FinePoint Associates for third-party LIHTC compliance monitoring and file audit support

Common Good Management Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all Fair Housing laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $68,000.00 - $78,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Do you have hands-on experience conducting LIHTC income certifications and maintaining audit-ready tenant files?
• Do you have experience administering tenant-based Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV/Section 8), including the RFTA process and HQS/NSPIRE inspections?
• Are you able to work primarily on-site in Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA?
• How many LIHTC units have you managed compliance for?
• Briefly describe your experience with the RFTA process and coordinating HCV inspections with a housing authority.
• Have you used AppFolio for affordable housing management? If yes, describe how you used it (work orders, tenant ledgers, compliance reporting, etc.).
• Do you have experience working directly with the Boston Housing Authority (BHA)?
• Have you worked with a third-party LIHTC compliance consultant (e.g., FinePoint Associates or similar)?
• Do you have experience reporting to or liaising with a Board of Directors or resident governing body?

Experience:

• LIHTC property management: 3 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• TCS (Tax Credit Specialist) Certification (Preferred)
• HCCP (Housing Credit Certified Professional) Certification (Preferred)
• CPM or ARM (IREM) Certification (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Jamaica Plain, MA 02130