Housing Specialist

Overview

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health, we help our patients live better, healthier lives and we help one another to succeed. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community.

Responsibilities

• Client Intake & Assessment: Conduct standardized housing intakes and needs assessments, verifying documentation and determining program eligibility (includes EPIC documentation).
• Housing Stabilization Planning: Initiate and maintain Service Agreements, develop individualized housing stabilization plans, and ensure timely documentation updates.
• Housing Search & Placement: Assist clients in locating, securing, and moving into affordable housing, including providing related support.
• Rental Assistance Acquisition & Management: Assist clients with obtaining/maintaining rental assistance (applications, landlord liaison) and administer related funds (security deposits, arrears, etc.).
• Case Management & Referrals: Provide ongoing case management, including referrals to internal (Community Health team) and external resources (legal aid, healthcare).
• Client Education & Advocacy: Educate clients on tenant rights, housing laws, and regulations, and mediate tenant-landlord disputes.
• File & Records Management: Maintain accurate client files and electronic records, documenting all service activities.
• Caseload Management: Manage assigned caseloads of assisted/applicant households.
• Outreach & Networking: Conduct outreach activities and attend relevant meetings.
• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
• Bachelor's degree in health related field or other relevant area of study or High School diploma, general equivalency diploma (GED), and/or GED equivalent programs with 3 years of experience
• Minimum of 2 or more years of experience in the housing field.
• Experience with accessing social service resources available for New Jersey.
• Must be proficient in computer data entry.
• Reliable transportation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills that include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.
• Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:
• Prior experience as an outreach worker (or related title).
• Excellent time management skills.
• Bilingual/Multilingual.
• Licenses and Certifications Required:
• Valid Driver's License from a USA state.