RICAR Business Consulting LLC

Compensation

Full Description

Also known as: HOME Program Administrator, HOME Program Manager, Affordable Housing Program Consultant RICAR Business Consulting LLC (RBC) is seeking a HOME Program Consultant with strong technical expertise in HUD's HOME Investment Partnerships Program and HOME-ARP requirements. The consultant will serve as a key program administration and compliance resource supporting Mercer County, New Jersey. This role provides end-to-end technical assistance across all major HOME functions, including IDIS administration, project underwriting, policy development, monitoring, federal planning documents, public engagement, and HOME-ARP implementation. The consultant will work primarily remotely with periodic onsite presence in Trenton, NJ, and will play an essential role in helping Mercer County meet federal HUD program, compliance, and reporting requirements. This is an excellent opportunity for a consultant who excels in technical HUD program work, enjoys operating independently, and is capable of serving as the County's primary subject-matter expert for HOME and HOME-ARP administration. Start Date: January-February 2026 (contingent upon contract award) About the Engagement Mercer County administers approximately $600,000-$700,000 annually in HOME funds to support affordable housing development and preservation across the County. As the lead agency for the Mercer County HOME Consortium, the County manages HOME Program functions for: • Ewing Township • Hamilton Township • Princeton The County supports three core HOME-funded program areas: • Rental Housing Production - Development or rehabilitation of affordable rental housing. • First-Time Homebuyer Assistance - Down payment and closing cost assistance for income-eligible households. • Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation - Critical repairs and improvements for eligible homeowners. Mercer County also received $2.36 million in HOME-ARP funding, approved by HUD in June 2023. HOME-ARP will expand activities serving households experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, survivors of domestic violence, and other qualifying populations. Full implementation is expected to increase significantly in 2026. The HOME Program Consultant will serve as the primary technical resource supporting: • IDIS administration • Federal reporting and planning documents (AAP, CAPER, Consolidated Plan components) • Subsidy layering and underwriting • Long-term affordability compliance • Environmental review coordination • Monitoring and file management • CHDO oversight • Consortium coordination • Public hearings and stakeholder engagement • HOME-ARP implementation and reporting • HUD liaison support and response to monitoring requests The consultant will work closely with Mercer County program staff but will operate independently, taking full ownership of deadlines, technical tasks, regulatory interpretation, and proactive compliance management. Key Responsibilities HOME Program Administration & IDIS • Administer HOME and HOME-ARP activities in IDIS (setup, commitments, draws, reporting). • Maintain IDIS templates for consortium partners. • Ensure compliance with HUD commitment and expenditure timeliness requirements. • Prepare required quarterly and annual reports. • Support County staff with fund tracking, reconciliation, and reporting. Federal Planning Documents • Prepare and submit Annual Action Plans (AAPs), CAPERs, and Consolidated Plan components. • Ensure compliance with HUD content, timelines, and citizen participation process. • Provide technical assistance to County staff on HUD planning and reporting requirements. Public Engagement & Hearings • Coordinate and facilitate required public hearings (2 AAP hearings, 1 CAPER hearing). • Prepare agendas, presentations, public notices, and materials. • Record public comments and integrate them into final documents. Project Review & Underwriting • Review HOME project proposals, including rental housing development, homebuyer assistance, and homeowner rehabilitation. • Conduct subsidy layering analysis and underwriting reviews to determine feasibility and cost-effectiveness. • Evaluate compliance risks and recommend project approval and structuring strategies. Policy Development & CHDO Support • Develop and update HOME policies, procedures, workflow documents, and program forms. • Assist with CHDO certification, capacity review, and oversight. • Ensure alignment with 24 CFR Part 92 and HUD guidance. Monitoring & Compliance • Conduct risk-based monitoring of projects, subrecipients, and CHDOs. • Monitor long-term affordability requirements for rental and ownership housing. • Ensure adherence to income eligibility, property standards, and federal requirements. • Maintain audit-ready, HUD-compliant program and project files. • Identify compliance risks early and recommend corrective actions. Environmental Review Support (24 CFR Part 58) • Assist County staff with environmental review processes. • Coordinate documentation for environmental clearance. HOME-ARP Implementation • Support implementation of the County's HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. • Enter HOME-ARP activities in IDIS in accordance with HUD guidance. • Review HOME-ARP proposals and assess qualifying population requirements. • Prepare progress reports on expenditures, outputs, and outcomes. • Ensure compliance with fair housing and nondiscrimination requirements. Consortium Coordination & HUD Liaison • Provide ongoing technical assistance to Ewing, Hamilton, and Princeton. • Support consortium compliance with agreements and HUD expectations. • Participate in HUD trainings, webinars, and communicate with HUD as required. • Respond to HUD monitoring findings or data inquiries. Workload & Schedule Estimated Annual Hours: 700-1,200 hours/year (approximately 0.35-0.60 FTE) Peak Periods (20-30 hrs/week): • February-May: Annual Action Plan development, public engagement • August-September: CAPER development Routine Periods (8-15 hrs/week): • June-July and October-January: IDIS updates, monitoring, developer reviews, routine coordination Flexibility Requirements • Must meet HUD submission and reporting deadlines • Availability for public hearings and County meetings (with 2-4 weeks' notice) • Occasional urgent tasks requiring rapid turnaround Required Qualifications • Minimum 5 years direct HUD HOME Program administration experience • Advanced IDIS proficiency (project setup, commitments, draws, reporting) • Experience preparing AAPs, CAPERs, and Consolidated Plan components • Strong understanding of: • 24 CFR Part 92 (HOME regulations) • Subsidy layering and underwriting • CHDO requirements • Income and affordability rules • Environmental review (24 CFR Part 58) • Experience facilitating public meetings or hearings • Strong technical writing skills • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision • Proven record of meeting HUD deadlines consistently Preferred Qualifications • Experience with HOME-ARP implementation • Master's degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Housing/Community Development, Real Estate, or related field • HUD-related professional certifications (HOME Program Administration, IDIS Advanced User, HDFP, etc.) • Experience supporting HOME Consortia • Experience transitioning programs from an incumbent consultant • Financial underwriting or real estate development background Education Required: • Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Housing/Community Development, Real Estate, Finance, or a related field; OR • An equivalent combination of education and specialized HUD HOME Program experience (e.g., 10+ years direct HOME administration may substitute for formal degree requirements). Preferred: • Master's degree in a related discipline (MPA, MUP, Public Policy, Community Development, Real Estate Development, etc.) • HUD professional certifications (HOME Program Administration, IDIS Advanced User, HDFP, or similar) What Makes a Strong Candidate • You operate independently without daily oversight • You consistently produce accurate, compliant HUD submissions • You can translate complex HUD regulations into clear guidance • You proactively identify compliance risks • You can provide writing samples or summaries of AAP/CAPER work • You handle peak periods and shifting priorities effectively Compensation 1099 Consultant Rate: $75 - $110 per hour Rate depends on: • Depth of HOME/HOME-ARP experience • IDIS and technical expertise • Past performance and references • Advanced credentials • Peak-period availability Estimated Annual Earnings: $52,500 - $132,000, depending on hourly rate and workload (700-1,200 hours/year). Billing: Monthly invoices for hours worked. Location & Travel • Remote primary work location • 6-12 onsite visits per year in Trenton, NJ • Includes public hearings, developer meetings, monitoring visits, and consortium coordination • Must meet any Mercer County system access/security requirements Contract Term • Initial Term: 1 year • Option Year: 1 additional year • Maximum Duration: Up to 2 years • This position is contingent upon RBC's contract award under the County solicitation. Equal Opportunity Statement RICAR Business Consulting LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.