Program Officer for Housing & Capacity Building

About Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is a nonprofit organization that supports community development initiatives in underserved communities. Since its founding in 1979, LISC has invested nearly $29.7 billion in businesses, affordable housing, education, health, and other community infrastructure projects aimed at revitalizing communities. Headquartered in New York City, LISC operates in 38 markets across the United States, stretching from Buffalo to San Francisco, and in 2,400 rural counties across 49 states and Puerto Rico. The organization is a renowned advocate for economic and social equity, working with residents and partners to build resilient, inclusive communities of opportunity. For more information, visit www.lisc.org.

About this Role

LISC Connecticut seeks a passionate, motivated individual to join its team as a Program Officer for Housing and Capacity Building. The successful candidate will play a significant role in advancing LISC Connecticut’s affordable housing agenda, specifically targeting suburban and rural communities in Connecticut to create opportunities for multi-family rental housing and affordable homeownership. The role will involve providing financial and technical assistance to community development partners and building sustainable partnerships across the state. The Program Officer will work closely with the Senior Executive Director on all new housing initiatives and will also be involved in the exploration of a housing investment fund. This fund aims to support sustained investment in affordable housing and foster equitable development opportunities for mission-focused developers. The candidate must be capable of multitasking, problem-solving, and paying strong attention to detail, while offering quality customer service to stakeholders. Reporting directly to the Senior Program Officer for Lending & Investments, the Program Officer will collaborate with multiple team members including the Senior Executive Director and Director of Partnerships and Programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance to local groups, particularly in rural and suburban Connecticut.
• Assist community development corporations (CDCs) with affordable housing development strategies.
• Aid volunteer groups in forming effective partnerships and accessing financial resources for new affordable housing projects.
• Collect and review due diligence items to assess borrower capacity and project feasibility.
• Participate in LISC capacity-building activities, including organizational assessment, technical assistance, and training.
• Organize educational activities and forums to share best practices in community and affordable housing development.
• Underwrite LISC capacity-building grants to strengthen CDCs.
• Assist with grant monitoring, disbursements, site visits, and compliance.
• Prepare reports and presentations for funders and investors.
• Assist with the staffing of the local LISC Advisory Committee and coordination of national LISC programs and investments in Connecticut.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent work experience. A Master’s degree in urban planning, community development, economic development, public policy, or a related field is preferred.
• At least three years of experience in community development, affordable housing development, or a related field, preferably in the non-profit sector.
• Strong understanding of neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing issues; familiarity with Connecticut’s suburban communities is preferred.
• Ability to analyze quantitative and qualitative information.
• Experience in lending, project management, or a related field is preferred.
• Commitment to working with diverse urban communities.
• Strategic thinking skills to implement LISC’s program goals.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and willingness to learn new programs.
• Local travel required (~20%) for site visits, meetings, and training.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage.
• Long-term and short-term disability insurance.
• Retirement savings plans (401(k) and 403(b)).
• Generous holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO) policies.
• Tuition assistance program.
• Employee referral program.
• Professional development opportunities.