Case Manager - Housing Justice

Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) seeks a full-time Case Manager - Housing with a proven history of high-quality intensive case management services to provide culturally responsive services through the Housing Justice Program. The ideal candidate is focused on serving unhoused women living on Skid Row who have experienced long-term homelessness and have been historically underserved by traditional housing programs.

About the role

This innovative program implements recommendations from the Ad-Hoc Committee on Black People Experiencing Homelessness and the Ad-Hoc Committee on Women Experiencing Homelessness. It is designed to quickly and permanently house the most vulnerable women of Skid Row through a collaboration between Downtown Women’s Center, the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and other homeless service sector partners.

The Case Manager will provide intensive case management services, housing navigation, and outreach to women in the Skid Row area, using Housing First and Rapid Re-Housing models. This position reports directly to the Housing Justice Program Supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Provide culturally responsive field-based case management services to secure housing, including landlord engagement, housing location identification, biopsychosocial assessments, and individualized service plans to ensure housing stability.
• Implement recommendations from the Ad-Hoc Committees on Black People Experiencing Homelessness and Women Experiencing Homelessness through outreach, housing navigation, retention, and connection to community resources.
• Collaborate with community service providers to identify clients via educational presentations and street outreach.
• Arrange or provide transportation to ensure clients attend appointments.
• Research and provide referrals for healthcare, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, food, employment, job training, public benefits, and other services as needed.
• Assist newly housed clients in connecting with community resources such as grocery stores, transportation, healthcare, and social supports.
• Address client crises and resolve barriers through follow-up, advocacy, and collaboration with DWC staff and community providers.
• Process housing applications, including project-based Permanent Supportive Housing and Public Housing Authority (PHA) voucher applications.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of activities, case notes, and services provided.
• Participate in weekly individual and group supervision, agency meetings, and trainings.
• Engage in quarterly peer chart reviews, providing and responding to feedback.
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients, staff, and local service providers; represent DWC at community events.
• Provide weekly, monthly, and as-needed written reports to the Program Supervisor.
• Complete data collection, including mileage, reimbursement, and case notes.
• Advocate for racial equity and eliminating systemic barriers to housing retention.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field preferred; case management experience required.
• Strong knowledge of poverty, women’s homelessness, multiculturalism, trauma, health/mental health issues, substance abuse, and older adults.
• Familiarity with the Permanent Supportive Housing model, Housing First model, Motivational Interviewing, and Harm Reduction preferred.
• Experience working in homeless services and familiarity with the Skid Row community strongly preferred.
• Resourcefulness in locating housing (market-rate and subsidized) and knowledge of Fair Housing laws and eviction prevention.
• Experience working directly with landlords through property management, real estate, or housing navigation services.
• Excellent judgment, active listening, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize direct service and data management responsibilities, and meet deadlines.
• Strong administrative skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Current valid California driver’s license, comprehensive insurance, and good driving record.
• Lived experience is a strong plus.
• Knowledge of barriers surrounding women’s homelessness and communities disproportionately represented in the homeless population (communities of color, LGBTQ+, etc.).
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills; ability to build relationships with diverse clients, coworkers, and community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, implement plans, and meet deadlines.
• Active listening, problem-solving skills, and a solution-oriented attitude.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and cultural humility.
• Must be a California resident and live no more than 80 miles from DWC; available for in-person meetings.
• Must provide documentation of a negative TB test result within the last twelve months on the first day of hire.

Work Environment

Downtown Women’s Center operates several program and administrative locations in the Skid Row neighborhood of Downtown Los Angeles. The primary hub is on San Pedro Street (SP), including participant-facing services, staff offices, and Permanent Supportive Housing units. Programs at the SP site include the Day Center, Women’s Health Clinic, kitchen and meal services, Trauma Recovery Center, and housing units.

While some positions may have a primary work location at another DWC site or in the community, employees may be expected to attend trainings, meetings, or other work-related activities at the San Pedro (SP) location. Parking near the SP Access Center is limited; employees should plan for offsite parking with a short walk to the site.

Physical Demands

• Ability to walk moderate distances between DWC sites or within the surrounding community.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Occasional standing, bending, or reaching for files and office supplies.
• Ability to lift up to 15 lbs. (e.g., binders, reports, or office materials).
• Ability to maintain focus and attention to detail for extended periods.

Schedule

This is a full-time, non-exempt field-based position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Expectation to work either in the field or the office at least four days per week, with regular travel throughout Los Angeles County. Must be available for in-person meetings and trainings as scheduled.

Pay

$30.18–$30.42/hour.

Work authorization: Must be authorized to work in the U.S.; DWC does not sponsor employment visas.