Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago
Homegrown Program Grant Underwriter
Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago provides a pay range: $25.00/hr - $25.00/hr. Actual pay will be based on your skills and experience.
Grant‑Funded Position Notice This position is funded through the HomeGrown Grant Program for a defined term of 1‑3 years. While NHS intends for the role to remain active for the duration of the grant, employment is strictly at‑will. Continued employment is contingent on ongoing grant funding.
Basic Job Function The Program Grant Underwriter evaluates and determines eligibility for the HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Grant Program. The role conducts comprehensive application reviews, analyzes supporting documentation, verifies program compliance, and issues grant approvals or denials. The Underwriter ensures each applicant meets all City of Chicago Department of Housing requirements and provides clear communication throughout the application lifecycle. The Underwriter also monitors the grant from application through closing and remains responsible for compliance tracking during the five‑year recapture period.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities Application Intake & Documentation Review
Request, collect, and review all required application documentation from prospective homebuyers, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
Verify eligibility based on income, household composition, property characteristics, and HomeGrown program criteria.
Identify missing or unclear information and follow up with applicants promptly to obtain clarifications or additional documentation.
Application Communication & Case Management
Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective homebuyers throughout the underwriting review.
Communicate status updates, application issues, and final determinations in a clear and timely manner.
Provide guidance to applicants regarding documentation requirements and next steps.
Underwriting & Eligibility Determination
Analyze applicant documentation, including income verification, mortgage details, homebuyer education certificates, property information, and credit considerations.
Assess applications using established underwriting standards, program rules, and City of Chicago guidelines.
Issue formal grant approval or denial letters in accordance with eligibility outcomes.
Team Leadership & Workflow Oversight
Establish and manage an application review team, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and compliance in underwriting decisions.
Provide training, support and quality control for team members involved in application intake and review.
Collaborate with Program Administration and other internal teams to maintain coordinated program operations.
Grant Monitoring & Compliance Oversight
Monitor the status of approved grants through the mortgage loan closing process.
Ensure all required documentation is collected and properly recorded before closing.
Track grant compliance during the five‑year recapture period, documenting changes in occupancy status, property transfers, or other triggering events.
Compensation & Benefits $25/hour
Health, dental, vision insurance
Paid time off
Team spirit emphasizing excellence in customer service.
Position Qualifications Education
Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, public administration, urban planning, or related field preferred.
Experience
Minimum of 3‑5 years of underwriting, lending, housing program administration, or grant eligibility determination experience.
Desired Skills
Experience with income verification, mortgage documentation, or affordable housing programs strongly preferred.
Familiarity with HUD requirements, down payment assistance programs, or government‑funded housing initiatives is a plus.
Strong analytical and decision‑making skills, with the ability to interpret financial and eligibility documentation.
High attention to detail and accuracy in reviewing sensitive documentation.
Ability to manage deadlines and coordinate multiple applications simultaneously.
Demonstrated cultural competence and ability to work with diverse populations.
Technology: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, database systems, and digital documentation management.
Competencies
Strong commitment to equity, confidentiality, and high‑quality service to diverse applicants.
Customer/Client Focus
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Problem‑Solving
Time Management
Adaptability
Collaboration & Teamwork
Physical Demands Regularly required to talk or hear. Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Work Environment This position involves a combination of office‑based work, virtual communication, and occasionally community‑based engagement. Some evening or weekend availability may be required for special events or outreach activities. May include periodic meetings with partner agencies, lending institutions, or program staff.
Remote Work Policy Remote work arrangements are not available for this position. Employees must be present in‑office for all scheduled workdays and attend meetings as needed.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago is deeply committed to building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.
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Grant‑Funded Position Notice This position is funded through the HomeGrown Grant Program for a defined term of 1‑3 years. While NHS intends for the role to remain active for the duration of the grant, employment is strictly at‑will. Continued employment is contingent on ongoing grant funding.
Basic Job Function The Program Grant Underwriter evaluates and determines eligibility for the HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Grant Program. The role conducts comprehensive application reviews, analyzes supporting documentation, verifies program compliance, and issues grant approvals or denials. The Underwriter ensures each applicant meets all City of Chicago Department of Housing requirements and provides clear communication throughout the application lifecycle. The Underwriter also monitors the grant from application through closing and remains responsible for compliance tracking during the five‑year recapture period.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities Application Intake & Documentation Review
Request, collect, and review all required application documentation from prospective homebuyers, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
Verify eligibility based on income, household composition, property characteristics, and HomeGrown program criteria.
Identify missing or unclear information and follow up with applicants promptly to obtain clarifications or additional documentation.
Application Communication & Case Management
Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective homebuyers throughout the underwriting review.
Communicate status updates, application issues, and final determinations in a clear and timely manner.
Provide guidance to applicants regarding documentation requirements and next steps.
Underwriting & Eligibility Determination
Analyze applicant documentation, including income verification, mortgage details, homebuyer education certificates, property information, and credit considerations.
Assess applications using established underwriting standards, program rules, and City of Chicago guidelines.
Issue formal grant approval or denial letters in accordance with eligibility outcomes.
Team Leadership & Workflow Oversight
Establish and manage an application review team, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and compliance in underwriting decisions.
Provide training, support and quality control for team members involved in application intake and review.
Collaborate with Program Administration and other internal teams to maintain coordinated program operations.
Grant Monitoring & Compliance Oversight
Monitor the status of approved grants through the mortgage loan closing process.
Ensure all required documentation is collected and properly recorded before closing.
Track grant compliance during the five‑year recapture period, documenting changes in occupancy status, property transfers, or other triggering events.
Compensation & Benefits $25/hour
Health, dental, vision insurance
Paid time off
Team spirit emphasizing excellence in customer service.
Position Qualifications Education
Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, public administration, urban planning, or related field preferred.
Experience
Minimum of 3‑5 years of underwriting, lending, housing program administration, or grant eligibility determination experience.
Desired Skills
Experience with income verification, mortgage documentation, or affordable housing programs strongly preferred.
Familiarity with HUD requirements, down payment assistance programs, or government‑funded housing initiatives is a plus.
Strong analytical and decision‑making skills, with the ability to interpret financial and eligibility documentation.
High attention to detail and accuracy in reviewing sensitive documentation.
Ability to manage deadlines and coordinate multiple applications simultaneously.
Demonstrated cultural competence and ability to work with diverse populations.
Technology: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, database systems, and digital documentation management.
Competencies
Strong commitment to equity, confidentiality, and high‑quality service to diverse applicants.
Customer/Client Focus
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Problem‑Solving
Time Management
Adaptability
Collaboration & Teamwork
Physical Demands Regularly required to talk or hear. Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Work Environment This position involves a combination of office‑based work, virtual communication, and occasionally community‑based engagement. Some evening or weekend availability may be required for special events or outreach activities. May include periodic meetings with partner agencies, lending institutions, or program staff.
Remote Work Policy Remote work arrangements are not available for this position. Employees must be present in‑office for all scheduled workdays and attend meetings as needed.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago is deeply committed to building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.
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