Housing Specialist

Position Overview

The person filling this position is expected, under close supervision, to:

• assist case managers by being a client liaison with outside organizations regarding such matters as education, healthcare, housing, social services, legal issues, etc.
• assist clients in attaining their Housing and Entitlements related goals by identifying and locating community resources for clients and by making referrals to appropriate services both within and outside CAMBA;
• Maintain professional relationships with clients and client confidentiality.
• Practice Universal Precautions/Standard Protocol & Procedures.
• Comply with any and all Federal, State, City and CAMBA security and privacy polices intended to protect the security and privacy of individually identifiable health information.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with clients’ and client confidentiality in order to engage them in case management services.
• Develop curriculum to address shelter residents’ Housing, Independent Living Skills and Entitlement related needs including, permanent housing search process and options.
• Develop a series of monthly Housing readiness workshops.
• Develop and maintain a Bulletin Board that serves to provide relevant Housing related information.
• Provide individualized and group counseling on housing and entitlement related topics.
• Organize and schedule presentations by local “housing experts” and/or landlords.
• Provide support, training and coordination of the peer counselors.
• Select appropriate instructional procedures or methods such as individual training, group instruction, self-study, lectures, demonstrations, simulation exercises, role play, and computer-based training.
• Establishing linkages with community-based organizations, realtors, brokers and landlords.
• Conduct marketing and outreach presentations regarding the program to recruit clients and resources.
• Follow-up with clients and with referral organizations regarding client contact and progress with referral organization.
• In collaboration with the case manager(s), work with clients to break through barriers to client goals and to assist clients in advocating for themselves and in moving toward self-sufficiency.
• Monitor clients' progress toward their goals (i.e., dates achieved) via regularly scheduled telephone contact and/or face-to-face home and office visits, and document via progress notes.
• Create and maintain client files and make copies of all client documents.
• Assist case managers to schedule appointments for client with referral organizations.
• Aid case managers to escort clients to appointments (apartment viewings, public benefits, educational, medical, social service, etc.).
• Aid clients in completing applications for benefits and entitlements, and may process applications on clients' behalf. May follow-up with clients for a period of time after successful completion of their primary goals to assure client stability.
• May input client data and client progress information into automated database.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, or related field.
• Experience working with homeless populations.
• Knowledge of housing programs and entitlements.
• Experience with case management and client advocacy.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.