NEWS

Town Hall and Community Center at 251 South Street

The Town recently posted the job announcement for the new Affordable Housing and Equity Manager. It is a full-time salaried position located at the Town Hall and Community Center. According to the post, the salary will depend on the individual's qualifications. The closing date for applications is March 8, 2024. 

The Town determined the need for the position in early 2020, and hired the first Affordable Housing and Equity Manager in October 2020 in the midst of the COVID shutdown. Eugene Bradley was originally introduced to the the Board and the Community via Zoom. Bradley served in the role until late 2023. 

The position description is as follows: 

General Statement of Duties
The Town seeks an experienced professional to uphold the Town’s Strategic Plan Goal of Affordable Living, Equity and Inclusion: Working together to create a culture of belonging, address past inequities, provide opportunities for all, treat everyone with respect and dignity and recognize every voice. This position coordinates strategic affordable housing development projects and various community initiatives. 

The ideal candidate has affordable housing experience and can quickly adapt to the unique environment in Davidson where the affordable housing function is part of municipal government. The next Affordable Housing and Equity Manager will demonstrate and reflect an inclusive approach to ensure equity and accountability in affordable housing. Utilizing collaborative relationships and key resources such as the Town's Comprehensive Plan, Strategic Plan, Davidson Planning Ordinance (DPO), and Affordable Housing Needs Assessment and Implementation Strategy, the Affordable Housing and Equity Manager will confidently lead the Town’s affordable housing efforts through an important period of strategic direction and opportunity. This leader is a visionary who sees and pursues opportunities with innovative methods and a collaborative approach to support the Town’s mission.  

This position serves as a member of the Town’s Management Team and reports directly to the Assistant Town Manager.

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Collaboratively lead the planning, management, and oversight of affordable housing development projects on Town-owned land through public-private partnerships
• Successfully select, manage and work collaboratively with development partners, outside consultants, legal counsel, and technical experts. 
• Advocate for on-site affordable housing construction by serving as a liaison between developers and the Town Planning Department from the project’s onset to support navigating the Town’s development review process.
• Implement the Town’s inclusionary housing ordinances (DPO Section 5) and policies, working closely with market-rate residential developers to develop affordable housing proposals and monitor compliance once projects are approved.
• Collaborate with team members to create and implement special projects and policies related to affordable housing.
• Work constructively with community non-profit partners including, but not limited to Ada Jenkins Center, Davidson Community Foundation, Davidson Housing Coalition (DHC), and Habitat for Humanity
• Write communications, reports, and plans for Town staff, Council, Advisory Boards, and the public.
• Serve as Liaison to the Town Affordable Housing and Equity Advisory Board
• Support inclusive public outreach and community engagement.
• Work with external community stakeholders to arrange and support equity training and opportunities for community involvement (listening sessions, training, special events)
• Administer HOME and CDBG programs.
• Work with Finance Department and Mecklenburg County to administer Davidson Tax Assistance Program (DTAP).
• Ensure program compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Prepare agenda items for Town Board meetings and meets with commissioners as required.
• Make presentations to the Town Board and other organizations as necessary.
• Interacts with tax office and other Mecklenburg County departments as necessary.
• Provide information to the public in a variety of formats through a variety of venues including websites, brochures, and presentations.
• Serve as project manager for Comprehensive Housing Affordability Program (CHAP) Program and other critical home repair, rehabilitation and preservation efforts as needed.
• Conduct other related work as assigned.
• Prepare and manage the affordable housing budgeting.
• Attend community events and represents the Town.
• Cultivate and sustains non-profit partner relationships.
• Provide grant oversight, compliance, and administration.
• Responsible for managing the Town’s Down Payment Assistance Program, including required paperwork and documentation.
• Develop policies for Board approval and implementation.
• Staff support for Town MLK Committee/Event, Historic Storytelling Committee. 
• Occasionally serve as mediator for code enforcement issues and other housing and equity related issues

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Affordable Housing development and finance, community development policies and programs, and land use planning practices
• Best practices and local government solutions related to affordable and mixed-income housing development, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, and affordable housing development incentives.
• Construction/Project Management knowledge for critical home repair, rehabilitation, and preservation efforts
• Property management practices

 
Ability to: 

• Effectively manage complex projects. 
• Review and analyze financial pro-formas detailing the feasibility of affordable housing projects and the need for gap financing. 
• Gather, analyze, and interpret community data to provide context on need and impact of housing activities.
• Manage workload with great organization, initiative, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing to a variety of audiences.
• Use a computer and various word processing and database software applications, including Excel, Word.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with the Town legal, finance, development services, and planning departments, as well as community members and community partners.
• Work creatively within a regulation-driven, local government context.

Minimum Qualifications
Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

 Education
 A bachelor’s degree in real estate finance, public administration, public policy, planning, business, economics, or related field, or equivalent experience. Master's degree preferred.

 Experience
 At least 3 years of demonstrated experience in the following areas is desired: affordable housing (specifically in the areas of project feasibility, financing, and impact evaluation.), community engagement, and equity programming.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations  
 A valid NC driver's and the availability of private transportation or the ability to provide transportation between job sites is required. 

Physical Requirements

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.

Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally; and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently; and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, perform accounting tasks, operate a computer terminal, do extensive reading, drive a motor vehicle, and be able to inspect the work of others.

Benefits: