City of Richmond

The Program Manager, Housing Policy provides leadership direction in the development and maintenance of new and existing affordable housing policies. Reporting to the Director, Housing Office, the role will be a member of the Housing Office leadership team along with the Manager, Affordable Housing.

Key Accountabilities

• Supervise, coach, direct and evaluate work tasks and carry out performance management of staff including Planner(s) and GIS analyst(s) in the delivery of the key responsibilities.
• Advance work that supports the objectives outlined in the City of Richmond’s Affordable Housing Strategy, Housing Needs Report and related Council priorities as they arise.
• Develop and support the implementation of innovative and proactive policy solutions for range of housing policy initiatives that prioritize affordability.
• Advance current and future non-market housing policies through research and engagement with partners including, but not limited to, BC Housing, non-profit housing operators, consultants, contractors, developers, and senior levels of government, including the City’s Low Market Rental Program (LEMR) and any such policy related inclusionary housing policies per Provincial requirements.
• Monitor and evaluate policies, procedures and practices as they relate to the advancement of non-market housing projects, including opportunities to streamline process components.
• Take leadership in the format and content of Housing Agreements to create consistency in requirements and application of policy, including for low end market rental rates and reporting requirements.
• Present policy initiatives at committees of Council and Council meetings, including responding to questions in public meetings and leading responses to Council housing policy referrals.
• Lead and/or participate in housing related annual reporting to Council and/or funders.
• Participate in the review of Statutory Declarations for occupants living on Low End Market Rental Units, including leading the development of a cloud-based solution for streamlined reporting.
• Establish and maintain a framework for engagement and capacity building with Partners in order to identify and advance non-market affordable housing opportunities in Richmond.
• Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with the broader public including maintenance of the Housing Offices webpage, social media posts, participating in the annual Public Works Open Housing and other such events that raise the awareness of the City’s affordable housing initiatives.
• Participate in regional and provincial working groups related to policy matters of interest to the City, including representing the City at the Metro Vancouver housing group.
• Identify senior government advocacy opportunities for affordable housing policy initiatives, including the receipt and use of funds secured through grant programs.
• Advise on the effective use available funding in the Affordable Housing Reserve and grants, and participate in the preparation and maintenance of operating and capital budgets with the senior team.

Knowledge & Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of affordable housing and community planning practices, principles, policies, methods and procedures in a municipal setting.
• Knowledge of the affordable housing sector, including the roles of the provincial and federal governments, non-profit housing providers, and the private sector.
• Up to date knowledge of social, economic, political and demographic factors related to housing needs in Metro Vancouver.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with municipal staff, elected officials, government agencies, non-profit housing operators and the public with courtesy, tact and discretion.
• Understanding of development approval requirements, including applicable legislation, policy and regulatory controls at the municipal, regional and provincial levels.
• Ability to develop and oversee work plans and project budgets for the team.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Research methods for assessing demand for, and the delivery of, affordable housing.
• Ability to communicate professionally (e.g. write and edit complex reports, speak publicly).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 11/365 including Outlook, Word, Excel and Sharepoint.
• Working knowledge of GIS mapping and analysis as a tool for policy development.
• Ability to use a Records Management System.
• Ability to successfully clear a Police Information Check.

Qualifications & Experience

• A Master’s Degree in Community Planning or a related field.
• Eligibility or membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Planning Institute of British Columbia.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in the planning and development of housing projects, preferably involving non-profit housing organizations / partners.
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered in lieu of having a minimum five years of housing-related experience.
• Experience preparing and overseeing work plans.
• Accreditation as a Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent accreditation is considered an asset.