I facilitated a training class today for MOR Preparation and it reminded me of how much information new managers of affordable housing have to learn. For those of us “old timers” we tend to rant and rave about the “good old days” when life was so much easier. Days before 3rd party verifications and EIV. Imagine starting as an affordable housing manager today. There is more to learn than can possibly be grasped in a short period of time. And let’s face it, all we ever have is a short period of time, right? I can’t explain the blank look on some of the faces that I saw today and I can hardly imagine how frustrated they must be. Years ago, life was simpler, so housing was simpler…and yes, we’ve all had to learn the new information, but not at once.
So, I urge you to take pity on those brand new managers this year. If you meet one, take a few minutes and share with them what you actually LIKE about your job. Give them pointers on things you find that work; from ideas on how to keep trash picked up to a good attorney in town. Let them ask you questions – at least a few. And most of all, don’t discourage them with talk about how it used to be so much better when. Remember when you first started and then imagine learning it all again but all at once.
Bless their hearts…