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 move out of homelessness and into permanent housing. This role involves providing housing and relocation services, along with case management post-housing placement.

Responsibilities

• Carry a combined case load of homeless households in need of housing assistance and/or case work, focusing on the sub-region of Greater New Haven.
• Act as the primary contact person for between 10 and 20 families/individuals participating in the Rapid Re-housing Program throughout Greater New Haven.
• Act as a primary contact person for between 10 and 20 families/individuals referred for housing placement in the Greater New Haven area.
• Locate and help secure appropriate housing and community resources for participants.
• Provide assistance for households to increase income, access long-term housing subsidies, establish and/or expand family and community-based supports, and assist in gaining access to mainstream services.
• Provide the majority of services in the client's home/shelter or a location of the client's choosing.
• 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, while maintaining positive communication.
• Create effective and innovative strategies to engage and maintain professional landlord relationships.
• Participate in community landlord engagement teams and meetings, assist in creating engagement events and other processes to engage and recruit new landlords.
• Assist clients in completing relevant community and agency housing applications.
• Conduct Housing Quality and lead inspections on all units prior to tenant occupancy.
• Supervise with the Rapid Rehousing Program Manager-New Haven at minimum biweekly or as needed.
• 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 necessary to the program, including a minimum introductory training in Motivational Interviewing.
• Use an approved HMIS system to document all client and program data, which includes but is not limited to: Program enrollments, discharges, case notes, assessments, client demographics, action plans, collateral contacts, referrals and services provided.
• Aid in program development and quality assurance activities as directed by the Rapid Re-Housing Program Manager - RRH.
• Perform other duties as assigned to assure successful operations.

Qualifications

• Associates Degree required (Bachelor's preferred), with two years of 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 Outlook, Word, Excel, and 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.