Irene Alvarez
Summary
Experienced Housing Authority professional with over 20 years in public-sector roles, specializing in federally funded housing programs. Led operational initiatives in intake, eligibility, occupancy, and compliance, while enhancing workflow efficiencies and conducting quality control reviews. Skilled in staff training, process improvement, and delivering customer-focused services in dynamic housing environments.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Housing Specialist
Housing Authority City Of Long Beach
Long Beach, California
02.2019 - Current
- Manage a high-volume caseload of 768+ households within the Housing Choice Voucher Program while ensuring compliance with HUD regulations and agency policy.
- Serve as a lead resource and subject matter expert for complex eligibility determinations, rent calculations, program compliance, and participant case resolution.
- Developed and implemented standardized workflow processes, desk procedures, and training materials to ensure consistency and improve quality control.
- Train, mentor, and onboard new Housing Specialists, temporary staff, and cross-functional team members on eligibility reviews, certifications, policy application, and case processing.
- Conducted quality assurance audits of participant files and program documentation, ensuring compliance with regulations and operational accuracy.
- Identified operational inefficiencies and recommended process improvements, enhancing turnaround times and reducing errors in service delivery.
- Research and interpret HUD regulations, policy updates, and procedural requirements to support accurate program administration.
- Troubleshoot and resolve the most complex applicant, participant, landlord, and stakeholder concerns with professionalism and sound judgment.
- Coordinate and conduct eligibility interviews, participant briefings, recertifications, contract execution, rent increases, and termination actions.
Housing Aide
Housing Authority City Of Long Beach
Long Beach, California
04.2016 - 02.2019
- Coordinated appointments, referrals, briefings, and waiting list activities for multiple housing programs to facilitate client access to housing resources.
- Conducted eligibility interviews, reviewed applicant documentation, and prepared program files for final approval.
- Managed daily work priorities to ensure timely completion of intake, voucher issuance, background checks, and file preparation activities.
- Designed and led voucher issuance projects that streamlined processes for HCV, PBV, HOPWA, and SPC program operations.
- Trained staff on FBI background screening procedures, eligibility documentation review, and intake protocols.
- Monitored productivity metrics and implemented workflow improvements that enhanced processing accuracy and service delivery.
- Developed desk guides and workflow tools to standardize processes, enhancing consistency and accountability in program operations.
- Directed training for temporary staff and support personnel as Lead Intake Clerk, overseeing daily workloads to ensure smooth intake operations.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA06-2007
Skills
- Compliance auditing and administration
- Client advocacy
- HUD compliance
- Training and process improvement
- Team collaboration
- Workflow design
- Community liaison and Owner networking
Languages
Spanish
Full Professional
Certification
- Nan McKay – Housing Choice Voucher Specialist
- Nan McKay – Project-Based Voucher Rent Calculation Specialist
- Nan McKay – Family Self-Sufficiency Specialist
Timeline
Housing Specialist
Housing Authority City Of Long Beach
02.2019 - Current
Housing Aide
Housing Authority City Of Long Beach
04.2016 - 02.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
California State University, Los Angeles