17 Housing Specialist Interview Questions and Answers

Housing specialists are in charge of all aspects of housing for a community, from finding new housing developments to working with residents who need assistance. They may also be in charge of developing and implementing housing policies. If you’re looking to work in this field, it’s important to know what to expect during a housing specialist interview.

In this guide, you’ll find several housing specialist interview questions and answers. We’ll help you prepare for questions about your experience, your knowledge of the housing industry, and your ability to handle difficult situations.

Are you familiar with the housing laws in this state?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you are familiar with the state’s housing laws and how they apply to your role. They want to make sure that you can perform your job duties without breaking any regulations or policies. In your answer, explain which laws you know and why you think it is important to follow them.

Example: “Yes, I am very familiar with the housing laws in this state. As a real estate agent, I have had to learn many of these laws so I could help my clients understand them. For example, I know that there are certain rules about who can rent to whom based on their income level. I also know that there are specific procedures for evicting tenants when necessary.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a successful housing specialist?

Interviewers may ask this question to gauge your understanding of the role and what you can bring to their team. They want to know that you understand the job’s requirements and have the skills necessary to succeed in it. In your answer, try to identify two or three qualities that are important for a housing specialist and explain why they’re important.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities is patience. This position requires working with many different people who all have unique needs. Some clients might be frustrated or upset when they call us, so I think it’s important to remain calm and empathetic. Another quality I think is important is organization. As a housing specialist, we often work on multiple projects at once, so having an organized system can help us stay focused and meet deadlines.”

How would you handle working with a client who is very picky about their living situation?

This question can help the interviewer assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with challenging clients. Your answer should show that you are able to remain calm, friendly and professional when working with a client who is difficult or demanding.

Example: “I would first try to understand why they have so many demands. I would then explain to them that while I can certainly meet some of their needs, there may be others that we cannot accommodate. If they continue to insist on certain things, I would let them know that I will do my best to find an apartment that meets all of their requirements but that it might take longer than usual.”

What is your process for finding affordable housing for a client who has a very limited budget?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your clients’ needs and ensure they receive the best possible service. Your answer should include a specific example of how you helped someone in this situation, including what steps you took to find affordable housing for them.

Example: “When I worked as an outreach specialist, I had a client who was looking for housing but only had $500 per month to spend on rent. In that case, I first looked at all available listings within their budget and then prioritized those with the most amenities. For instance, if there were two apartments that both cost $500 per month but one included utilities while the other did not, I would have recommended the apartment with utilities because it provided more value.”

Provide an example of a time when you helped a client who was very unhappy with their current living situation and helped them find a new home.

An employer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you can help clients who are unhappy with their current living situation. In your answer, try to explain the steps you took to help your client find a new home that they were happy with.

Example: “When I was working as a housing specialist at my previous job, one of my clients called me very upset because she had just received her rent bill for the month and it was much higher than usual. She told me that she thought there must be some mistake, but when she looked into it, she realized that her landlord raised the rent on all of his units in the building.

I talked to the landlord over the phone and he explained that he needed to raise the rent to cover the cost of repairs to the building. He also said that he would work with each tenant individually to make sure they could afford the new rent amount. My client was still upset, so I offered to call the landlord back and negotiate a lower rent for her.”

If a client was having trouble paying their rent and approached you for help, how would you handle the situation?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills and ability to empathize with clients. In your answer, try to show that you would be empathetic toward the client’s situation while also ensuring they understand their responsibilities as a tenant.

Example: “If a client was having trouble paying rent, I would first make sure they understood their responsibility to pay rent on time. If they were facing an emergency or other extenuating circumstances, I would work with them to find a solution that worked for both parties. For example, if they needed more time to pay rent, I might offer to help them set up a payment plan so they could avoid late fees.”

What would you do if you found a great place for a client to live but they were hesitant to commit to the apartment?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your negotiation skills and ability to convince clients to take action. In your answer, explain how you would encourage the client to commit to the apartment and overcome their hesitations.

Example: “If I found a great place for my client but they were hesitant to move in, I would first try to understand why they are hesitant. If it’s because of price, I would offer them tips on lowering their rent or help them apply for housing assistance programs. If it’s something else, like not wanting to leave their current neighborhood, I would reassure them that there are plenty of other apartments in the area.”

How well do you work with other professionals in the housing industry?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you collaborate with others. Housing specialists often work with other professionals in the housing industry, such as real estate agents, mortgage lenders and property managers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you worked well with another professional.

Example: “I have found that working well with others is an important part of my job because I rely on many people for information. For instance, I recently had a client who was looking for a home in a new city. I contacted a local real estate agent to help me find homes that met our criteria. The real estate agent helped us find several homes we could afford, and I communicated with the property manager to arrange showings.”

Do you have experience working with clients who speak different languages?

If the housing authority you’re interviewing for serves a diverse population, employers may ask this question to make sure you have experience working with people who speak different languages. In your answer, share about any language skills you have and how they’ve helped you work with clients in the past.

Example: “I grew up speaking Spanish at home, so I am fluent in both English and Spanish. When I worked as an apartment manager, I often communicated with my Hispanic residents in Spanish. This made it easier for them to understand me and feel comfortable asking questions or expressing concerns. It also allowed me to better understand their needs and provide excellent customer service.”

When is it appropriate to help a client find emergency housing?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of when to refer a client to emergency housing. Use examples from past experiences where you helped clients find temporary housing and how it benefited them.

Example: “In my last role, I had a client who was looking for an apartment but couldn’t afford one on their own. They were living with family members and needed a place to stay while they looked for a new home. I referred them to our emergency housing program, which provided them with a short-term rental until they found a permanent home.”

We want to make sure our clients are happy with their living situation. How would you go about getting feedback from a client after they moved in?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you would go about making sure a client was happy with their new home and that they were satisfied with the services you provided. In your answer, try to emphasize your interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with others.

Example: “I always make it a point to get feedback from my clients after they move in. I call them up within a week of moving in to see if they have any questions or concerns. If they do, I offer solutions or ways we can improve our process. If they don’t, I thank them for their business and let them know I’m here if they need anything.”

Describe your process for keeping track of all of the places you’ve sent your clients to live.

This question is a great way to see how organized you are. It also shows the interviewer that you have good time management skills and can prioritize your tasks. Your answer should include an example of how you keep track of all of your clients’ information, including their preferences for housing locations and any other important details.

Example: “I use a spreadsheet on my computer to keep track of all of my clients’ information. I enter this information into the spreadsheet as soon as I meet with them so I can remember it later when I am looking at different housing options. I also make sure to note down which places they like or dislike so I can send them only to those that fit their needs.”

What makes you a good fit for this housing specialist position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Try to focus on soft skills like communication and organization rather than hard skills like computer software knowledge.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others find affordable housing solutions. I have worked with many clients who are struggling to afford rent or mortgage payments. I know what it’s like to be in their situation, so I try my best to help them find long-term solutions. In fact, I recently helped a client find a new home after they lost their job. They were able to keep up with their mortgage payments because of my advice.”

Which computer programs or applications do you use most frequently in your job?

This question can help the interviewer determine your computer skills and how comfortable you are using technology in your job. If you’re applying for a position that requires you to use specific software, mention it in your answer. You can also talk about any other programs or applications you’ve used in the past.

Example: “I have experience with all of the major real estate websites, including Zillow and Trulia. I also know how to use several different property listing databases, such as LoopNet and CoStar. In my last role, I was responsible for uploading listings into these databases, so I’m familiar with their upload processes.”

What do you think is the most important part of your job as a housing specialist?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you prioritize your work and what skills you use most often. Your answer should show that you understand the role of a housing specialist and are committed to helping others find affordable housing options.

Example: “I think the most important part of my job is listening to clients’ concerns and questions. I try to make sure they feel comfortable talking with me about their situation, and I am always ready to provide them with information or resources that may be helpful. In my last position, I helped a client who was struggling to pay her rent each month because she had lost her job. After speaking with her for a while, I realized she could qualify for some government assistance programs. She ended up getting back on track and paying her rent again.”

How often do you visit clients’ homes to make sure everything is going well?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much time you spend on your job. It also helps them understand whether or not you are willing to do hands-on work. Your answer should show that you have a good balance of both administrative and physical labor.

Example: “I visit my clients’ homes at least once every two weeks, but I prefer to go more often if there is something going wrong with their home. For example, when I was working for my previous employer, I noticed one client had an ant infestation in their kitchen. I immediately went over to their house to check it out. The family was very grateful because they didn’t even know about the problem until I told them. They were able to get rid of the ants before they became a bigger issue.”

There is a bug infestation in one of your client’s apartments. What is your process for handling this situation?

Bugs can be a common problem in apartments, and an interviewer may ask you this question to see how you would handle such a situation. In your answer, explain that you would first inspect the apartment for bugs and then contact the landlord or property manager about the infestation. You should also let the client know what steps they can take to prevent future bug problems.

Example: “I would first make sure there are no bedbugs by inspecting the mattress and box spring. If I find evidence of bedbugs, I would immediately inform the tenant so they can begin taking precautions. I would also call the landlord or property manager to report the issue and request that they send someone out to treat the home. The tenant should remove all clothing from their dresser drawers and wash them in hot water. They should also thoroughly clean any other furniture in the home.”