Underwriter

Housing Trust (HT) is looking for exceptional people who believe that safe, stable affordable housing opens the door to better living for everyone. We embrace diversity. We nurture it and we thrive on it because it benefits our organization, our partners, and our community. We are seeking a mission and results driven individual for an amazing opportunity in our Homebuyer Program Team.

Misson and History

Housing Trust is leading the effort to create a strong affordable housing market in the greater Bay Area as one of the region’s highest-volume nonprofit housing lenders. Serving people experiencing homelessness to renters to first-time homebuyers, we assist a wide range of residents with programs across the entire spectrum of housing issues.

Since 2000, Housing Trust has invested $690 million – creating over 28,700 affordable housing opportunities serving over 53,800 of our neighbors. Housing Trust has led the way in engaging local corporations and foundations in investing hundreds of millions of dollars in working with us to bring more solutions to the market all while experiencing several years of high growth in our lending business.

Position Overview

The Underwriter plays a key role in evaluating loan applications for down payment assistance and other homebuyer programs. This position ensures compliance with program guidelines, regulatory standards, and internal policies while delivering excellent service to borrowers and partners.

The Underwriter takes ownership of files from application through approval, resolves standard to complex scenarios, and supports timely, accurate loan decisions under the supervision and guidance of the Manager of Homebuyer Programs. As an Underwriter, this role also contributes to process improvements and collaborates across departments to support successful outcomes for first-time homebuyers.

Key Responsibilities

Program Knowledge & Compliance

• Demonstrate knowledge of all homebuyer assistance programs, eligibility requirements, and underwriting standards
• Apply program guidelines accurately and consistently in underwriting decisions
• Maintain compliance with internal policies, program regulations, and lending laws, including TILA, RESPA, ECOA, FCRA and HMDA
• Stay informed of updates to underwriting practices, program requirements, and regulatory guidelines
• Assist with maintaining complete and organized documentation for compliance and audit purposes

Underwriting & Loan Processing

• Review and analyze loan applications to determine program eligibility and assess loan risk.
• Verify and evaluate income, asset, credit, and collateral documentation
• Underwrite loans in accordance with program and regulatory guidelines; issue decisions with clear rationale
• Review and clear loan conditions to ensure complete and accurate files
• Prepare files for final review and approval/denial by the Manager of Homebuyer Programs
• Escalate complex scenarios or policy questions to management as appropriate
• Maintain accountability for assigned files from application through approval, meeting deadlines and service standards
• Ensure accurate data entry and documentation using systems such as Salesforce, Box.com, and Excel-based loan worksheets
• Meet department productivity and quality expectations

Customer Service & Stakeholder Communication

• Provide responsive, professional support to borrowers, internal staff, and external partners
• Collaborate with processors, program specialists, lending and real estate professionals to complete documentation
• Communicate underwriting decisions and status updates clearly to team members and professionally to external stakeholders
• Promote transparency and alignment through timely and effective communication

Team Collaboration, Training & Continuous Improvement

• Participate in quality control activities and peer reviews to support consistent underwriting standards
• Provide feedback to support process improvements and efficient program operations
• Occasionally support outreach and educational activities related to homeownership programs
• Manage workload effectively to meet established timelines

Additional Responsibilities (as needed)

• Conduct borrower counseling sessions covering documents, disclosures, and closing procedures
• Support the funding process by clearing conditions and preparing fund release documentation
• Conduct post-closing reviews for compliance with program standards
• Prepare and organize closed loan files for audit or transfer to Asset Management

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 3-5 years of residential mortgage underwriting experience required; affordable housing experience strongly preferred
• Knowledge of homebuyer assistance programs, FHA/VA/Conventional underwriting, and affordable housing best practices
• Strong analytical skills in evaluating income, assets, credit, and collateral
• Ability to manually underwrite mortgage loan applications required
• Strong written and verbal communication with attention to detail and time-management skills
• Familiarity with applicable compliance regulations, including TILA, RESPA, ECOA, HMDA, FCRA, etc.
• Familiarity with FNMA, FHLC, FHA, and VA guidelines preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with Salesforce and file-sharing tools (e.g., Box.com) preferred
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and adapt to changing priorities
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work across diverse communities
• Commitment to outstanding customer service and first-time homebuyer support
• NMLS license preferred
• Bilingual proficiency in a language reflecting the communities we serve, is a plus

Compensation

Housing Trust offers a competitive compensation package, including a bonus plan and benefits. This is a non-exempt, full-time position. Hourly rate for this position is $42.78 - $50.

Total Compensation and Benefits

Our total compensation package includes a comprehensive benefits program designed to support employees’ health, financial well-being, and work-life balance, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage fully paid for employees, with 50% of premiums covered for eligible dependents
• Employer-funded 401(k) contribution of 3%, plus an additional employer match of up to 2%
• Generous paid time off, including three weeks of vacation, twelve paid sick days, eleven paid holidays, and a paid year-end office shutdown
• Eligibility for an annual performance-based bonus
• Tuition reimbursement program and additional benefits

Housing Trust is an equal opportunity employer to all regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, actual or perceived gender identity, age, or sexual orientation. Housing Trust is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We aspire to be a diverse and inclusive organization.

We are committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting diversity in our workforce and leadership to reflect the communities we serve. We believe differences in lived-experiences, cultural backgrounds, and diversity of thought are our strongest assets and contribute to our success.