Housing Intervention Specialist

About The Role

As a Partner in Wellbeing, the Housing Intervention Specialist is responsible for assisting homeless clients with a mental illness, trauma, and/or chemical dependency to develop the skills and supports necessary to acquire and maintain suitable, safe, and affordable housing. These services will be provided in the client’s home and community of choice primarily on a one-to-one basis but may also be provided in virtual settings.

Essential Responsibilities

• Conduct screening and intake process in a timely manner upon receiving a referral that is consistent with HUD and other grant requirements.
• Work closely with local housing authorities, community action agencies, county social service agencies, treatment and correctional facilities, as well as with landlords in the region to develop and provide a multitude of supportive housing services which meet the needs of clients served by HIP.
• Cook up and provide individualized plans to address each client’s needs and goals, coordinating with individual clients, outside agencies, and staff.
• Maintain documentation in the agency EHR and the HMIS system, correct any errors in HMIS entries and have all documentation corrected and entered into HMIS within deadlines for reporting.
• Determine what housing the client can afford, assist clients in accessing needed resources, in looking for appropriate and affordable housing, in accessing housing assistance if needed (HUD choice vouchers, housing assistance slots), and in securing and maintaining housing per program and funding source requirements.
• Attend all training and training updates with HMIS, CES (Coordinated Entry System), and as directed by the funding sources of program.
• Perform additional duties as assigned or requested.

Qualifications

• Relevant coursework by completing at least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in Behavioral Sciences or related fields and having at least 2,000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of services to adults or children with mental illness, substance use disorder, etc.
• Qualified through work experience: 4,000 hours of experience in the delivery of services to adults or children with mental illness, substance use disorder, etc.
• Demonstrate knowledge in regional housing resources or ability to learn them.
• Demonstrate ability to work with individuals involved in the legal system who may have an active addiction, mental illness, or trauma without judgement and ability to meet the client where they are at in providing person centered care.
• Must pass criminal background check through MN DHS NetStudy.
• Access to personal vehicle and the ability and willingness to use the vehicle in carrying out position responsibilities.
• Valid driver’s license and insurable under the agency’s automobile insurance policy.
• Free from substance use problems for a period of no less than 2 years.