Traveling Compliance Specialist- LIHTC

Fairstead is a purpose-driven real estate firm dedicated to building affordable communities across the country. Headquartered in New York, with offices in Colorado, Florida, and Washington DC, Fairstead owns and manages a portfolio of more than 30,000 apartments, including pipeline, across 28 states. As an integrated owner, operator, and innovator, Fairstead brings development, construction, and property management under one unified platform to deliver high-quality affordable housing that serves our residents at scale.

At Fairstead, we believe affordable housing should be thoughtfully designed, professionally managed, and responsibly operated. We seek to create and preserve housing that serves residents while delivering long-term value to communities, partners, and stakeholders.

Fairstead challenges industry norms through our tech-forward, entrepreneurial approach to affordable housing. In addition to core real estate capabilities, we operate innovative service lines designed to improve resident outcomes, strengthen communities, and drive operational efficiency. We embrace digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and emerging technologies, including AI, to build scalable systems that support sustainable growth, grounded in a culture of entrepreneurship, innovation, partnership, dedication, and integrity.

Fairstead is seeking a Compliance Lease-Up Specialist to join our property management team. In this role, the Compliance Lease-Up Specialist will lead all compliance efforts related to the lease-up phase, ensuring 100% adherence to federal, state, and local housing regulations. This role is responsible for maintaining compliance with all federal and state housing regulations, including Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and HUD Project-Based Section 8. This compliance role will work alongside leasing, operations, and social services teams to guarantee a smooth, timely, and fully compliance lease-up experience, as well as acting as a liaison between site staff, residents, housing agencies, and other stakeholders to maximize economic outcomes, and minimize operational risks.

*This position requires 90-100% travel

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee compliance during the initial lease-up and/or takeover phases, ensuring documentation and reporting are completed on time for management and external agencies.
• Ensure the accurate and timely processing of all tenant and resident third party verifications, and compliance paperwork requirements.
• Conduct detailed initial reviews of lease-up files, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and program eligibility prior to submission to regulatory agencies.
• Establish a standardized review process and Quality Assurance check to streamline file approvals and reduce error rates.
• Ensure all final approved lease-up resident files are uploaded into SharePoint, OneSite/Yardi (as applicable), and investor platforms.
• Ensure timely responses to audit findings and implement corrective action plans as necessary.
• Performs other duties assigned.

Benefits

• Generous employer contribution for Medical and Dental.
• Employer Paid Vision Plans.
• Company Matched 401(k) Retirement Plan: 100% of the first 3%; 50% of the next 2%.
• 12 paid Holidays.
• 15 days of PTO.
• 7 Sick days.
• Employer Paid Life Insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Nationwide Pet Insurance.
• Disability Insurance.
• Laser Correction Discount.
• Employee Discounts on appliances, apparel, and more.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 90-100% Travel Required .
• Three (3) years of affordable housing compliance experience with strong knowledge of affordable housing multifamily leasing and compliance for both LIHTC and PBRA Section 8 programs.
• Must have recent experience with LIHTC Initial Lease-Ups or LIHTC Acquisition/Rehab Lease Ups.
• COS Certification through NCHM required or must be able to obtain within first 60 days of employment.
• HCCP, BOS, AHM, or other widely known affordable housing compliance certifications are preferred.
• Excellent communication skills - written and oral.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including experience managing people (in multiple locations preferred).
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and time management skills.
• Extremely detail-oriented.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel functions.
• Yardi and/or RealPage/OneSite experience (preferred) or ability to learn new software quickly.

Diversity in backgrounds and experiences is key to Fairstead’s success. Being an equal opportunity employer is a central tenet of our philosophy that shapes who we are and the communities we serve. Our goal is to ensure competitive total compensation that is commensurate with experience, location, and other market benchmarks.

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