Case Worker/Housing Specialist

About the role

The Connecticut Rapid Re-Housing Program (CT RRP) is a statewide initiative aimed at assisting homeless households, primarily families and individuals, to quickly exit homelessness and achieve stable housing. This position combines roles as a Case Worker and Housing Specialist, providing comprehensive support to clients.

Responsibilities

• Provide housing and relocation services to families and individuals exiting homelessness.
• Offer up to 12 months of home-based case management post housing placement.
• Facilitate coordinated intake, screening, and housing-based assessment.
• Assist in housing search, landlord recruitment, and relocation assistance.
• Support housing stabilization and sustainability through linkages to community services.
• Provide financial assistance through the Department's ESG Program Rapid Re-housing Financial Assistance fund and CCEH's rapid re-housing fund.
• Carry a combined case load of homeless households (families and singles) in need of housing assistance and/or case work.
• Act as primary contact person for between 10 and 20 families/individuals participating in the Rapid Re-housing Program.
• Act as a primary contact person for between 10 and 20 families/individuals referred for housing placement.
• Locate and help secure appropriate housing and community resources for participants.
• Provide assistance for increasing income, accessing long-term housing subsidies, establishing and/or expanding family and community-based supports, and accessing mainstream services.
• Conduct outreach with shelters in the sub-region to coordinate effective communication regarding referrals to RRH.
• Educate providers and market the program as needed.
• Educate landlords in the community about the services offered, dispel myths about homeless families and individuals, and provide support to the family and the landlord to promote successful tenancy.
• Engage and maintain professional landlord relationships.
• Participate in community landlord engagement teams and meetings.
• Assist clients in completing relevant community and agency housing applications.
• Conduct Housing Quality and lead inspections on all units prior to tenant occupancy.
• Report any major changes in client mental status, potential for DCF hotline calls, unethical behavior/situations, and/or critical incidents within 24 hours to the Program Manager.
• Attend trainings on Evidence-Based Practices, including Motivational Interviewing.
• Use an approved HMIS system to document all client and program data.
• Aid in program development and quality assurance activities as directed.
• Occasionally provide twenty-four-hour emergency coverage.

Qualifications

• Associates Degree required (Bachelor's preferred), with two years of relevant experience.
• Bilingual in Spanish and bicultural preferred.
• Valid CT Driver's License, proof of insurance, and access to reliable transportation.
• Knowledge of leasing procedures and fair housing laws.
• Knowledge of housing quality standards and inspection methods.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• High level of organizational skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Highly motivated, creative with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability and desire to work as part of a team; identify with and support the mission of New Reach.
• Commitment to the values of New Reach: Professionalism, Integrity, Compassion, and Initiative.
• Adherence to all New Reach's Policies and Procedures.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The associate must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.