Housing Placement Specialist

Responsibilities

• Customer Services: Provide Housing Navigation statewide, with a focus on Paterson in Passaic County, Plainfield in Union County, and Trenton in Mercer County. Perform housing case management and counseling. Identify permanent housing for customers. Determine eligibility for applications for short-term and/or long term safe and affordable housing assistance. Assist customers with placement in transitional housing.
• Housing Case Management: Identify and develop relationships with landlords to identify long term rental options for customers. Negotiate with landlords and provide complete assistance with lease and other documents. Complete required paperwork for emergency financial assistance (rental and utility).
• Retention Counseling: Provide Housing Retention Counseling to customers of the program. Offer Daily Living Skills training and counseling to customers of the program.
• Referral Services: Refer customers to ensure connection to medical care. Collaborate with primary care providers and MCM staff to identify newly diagnosed patients in need of housing support. Document baseline viral load, CD4 count, AIDS diagnosis and antiretroviral prescriptions for 100% of clients.
• Counseling: Conduct counseling sessions with clients pertaining to housing needs, options, and social service referrals. Align clients with appropriate service providers throughout the service area. Develop and implement outreach activities including networking with other community-based organizations, support groups, religious organizations, etc.
• Reporting: Establish, maintain and update case records using approved agency forms and procedures. Ensure confidentiality of all records. Prepare monthly reports in accordance with agency policies and procedures. Refer and advocate for placement in permanent and transitional housing programs. Maintain and update customer information in eCOMPAS and CAREWare.
• Advocacy: Attend and participate in staff meetings and supervisory conferences. Maintain working relationships with other community providers. Observe established administrative procedures. Provide written reports and maintain statistics as required. Represent the agency at community events, meetings, and conferences. Attend and participate in staff training opportunities. Adhere to Hyacinth policies and procedures including client confidentiality provisions.

Requirements

• Basic Qualifications: Associate’s Degree. 1-3 years of related experience in social services/community services.
• Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and one-year previous office experience. Fluency in verbal and written Spanish. Excellent oral presentation and writing skills. Experience working in communities in Passaic and Union Counties as well as the city of Trenton. Knowledge of housing resources.