504 Coordinator

Fairstead is a purpose-driven real estate firm dedicated to building sustainable communities across the country. Headquartered in New York, with offices in Colorado, Florida, and Washington DC, Fairstead owns a portfolio of more than 25,000 apartments across 28 states that includes 17,000 units under management. Fairstead’s commitment to communities is realized through a comprehensive platform that leverages in-house expertise in acquisitions, development, design and construction, asset management, and property management.

Fairstead’s primary mission is to provide high quality housing to all regardless of income, and to make our stakeholders feel “Right at Home.” We accomplish this through an empathetic and innovative approach, and by utilizing our interdisciplinary platform as an investor, developer, owner, and operator.

Fairstead’s Core Values: Innovation, Determination, Integrity, Humility, Empathy and Partnerships

The 504 Coordinator will play a vital role in ensuring Fairstead’s compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and other applicable federal, state, and local disability rights laws.  The 504 Coordinator will serve as the central point of contact for disability-related accommodations, grievances, and accessibility compliance matters across Fairstead’s national housing portfolio.

This role is ideal for a professional who is passionate about housing equity, disability rights, and legal compliance in a mission-driven environment. The 504 Coordinator will work cross-functionally with property management, legal, compliance, and development teams to promote accessibility and uphold Fairstead’s values of empathy, integrity, and partnership.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as Fairstead’s designated 504 Coordinator for compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and related accessibility laws.
• Oversee, coordinate and track responses to reasonable accommodation and modification requests.
• Develop, implement, and update policies and procedures to ensure ongoing compliance with accessibility laws across Fairstead’s portfolio.
• Manage and investigate disability-related complaints and grievances, working closely with legal counsel, property management, and third-party vendors as necessary.
• Coordinate with architects, contractors, and asset management to ensure accessible design and construction practices.
• Provide training and guidance to staff across departments on disability rights, 504 compliance, and best practices in accessibility.
• Monitor regulatory changes and maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal, state, and local accessibility and fair housing requirements, including HUD guidance.
• Collaborate with outside counsel and internal teams on accessibility audits, reports, corrective action plans, and fair housing investigations.
• Assist with documentation and reporting for regulatory agencies and funding partners, particularly in the affordable housing space.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or relevant certifications in law, public policy, social work, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in fair housing, disability rights, affordable housing compliance, or related regulatory work.
• Deep understanding of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Fair Housing Act (FHA).
• Experience handling reasonable accommodation and modification requests in residential housing settings.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple requests and investigations concurrently.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Empathy and professionalism in dealing with residents, advocates, and staff.
• Familiarity with HUD programs, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) developments, and public housing is a plus.
• Capacity to thrive in a dynamic and entrepreneurial setting focused on multifamily and affordable housing development.

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.