Affordable Housing Development Specialist

The Community Planning, Housing and Development (CPHD) Department is seeking an Affordable Housing Development Specialist to join the Housing Development team and lead the underwriting, County funding approval, and loan closing processes for multiple complex multi-family projects to increase the County's supply of affordable housing. The Specialist will also determine the development potential of sites and viability of project funding sources, including assisting with implementing the County’s homeownership programs, analyzing program data, and supporting initiatives under the County’s Homeownership Study.
Specific duties include:

• Advising on a wide variety of urban planning and housing issues that impact or affect the County's affordable housing objectives;
• Performing other job-related duties as assigned.
• Applying extensive knowledge of relevant laws and regulations to manage affordable housing development work and developing policy recommendations;
• Researching, evaluating, and recommending approaches, proposals, programs, and policies that promote the development of affordable rental and homeownership housing;
• Serving as a subject matter expert to staff, developers, citizens, County management, leadership, and other departments regarding affordable housing policies, programs, regulations, and development opportunities in Arlington;
• Presenting funding recommendations to the Citizen’s Advisory Commission on Housing and County Board;
• Closing on loans for multiple complex affordable housing projects visible within the community, which are broad in context and may be politically charged;
• Underwriting loan requests and negotiating loan terms for the County’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF), Federal HOME, and/or CDBG programs;
• Assessing real estate markets, interpreting special exception site plan project conditions, land use and zoning ordinance provisions, and negotiating affordable housing conditions with developers; and

• Experience working with planners, community stakeholders, County/city management and leadership, civic associations, and citizen commissions on affordable housing project funding and entitlements;
• Substantive knowledge of affordable multi-family rental housing finance, including the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program and predevelopment, acquisition, construction, bridge, and permanent loan financing sources;
• Knowledge of affordable homeownership programs and finance;
• Effective writing skills to prepare reports for funding recommendations to the County Board, communication skills to resolve conflict, maintain liaison, and public speaking, and problem-solving skills to define problems and collect relevant information to recommend technical solutions to complex project issues.
• Ability to propose alternative solutions to loan issues arising during negotiations with developers regarding site plans and other project entitlement issues lacking precedent, including negotiations on development agreements between public and private/nonprofit entities; and

Minimums:

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Construction Management, Real Estate Development, Finance, or related field; and
• Three (3) years of experience in housing development and finance programs, construction project management, real estate development, or related program areas.

• Managing multi-family rental programs;
• Applying urban planning, land use, and zoning tools for affordable housing; and/or
• Developing and using real estate financial models to evaluate project proformas and development sites.
• Managing the development of affordable housing projects and closing on financing;

To be considered for this opportunity you must attach a resume to this application.
A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.
Completion of the Commonwealth of Virginia Statement of Economic Interest form will be required of the successful candidate upon hire and annually thereafter.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, with flexible/remote work hours between 8:00am - 5:00pm. Regular evening and occasional weekend work will be required.
The official job title is Development Specialist, Principal.
Please complete each section of the application. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
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