Housing Specialist

Your Contribution

Deliver Excellence. Oversee with Integrity. Drive Progress. Exceed Expectations. The Housing Specialist will play a crucial role in facilitating access to stable housing for individuals facing housing challenges. You will collaborate with community partners to expand housing resources for diverse client needs and to increase program effectiveness. Your responsibilities will include guiding clients through the housing process, collaborating with community housing resources, and ensuring that individuals have the support they need for housing stability.

Our Expectations

Winning skills and behaviors for success.

Essential Job Duties

• Conduct housing assessments and work closely with individuals to understand their housing needs and eligibility for rent assistance programs.
• Recognize and address the intersectionality of housing and health, ensuring a holistic approach to client care.
• Develop and implement individualized housing plans tailored to each client's unique circumstances addressing barriers to housing stability.
• Collaborate with housing providers, landlords, and community organizations to secure housing options.
• Provide guidance and education on the rental process, lease agreements, and tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Connect clients with supportive services, financial assistance programs, employment resources, and other relevant resources.
• Monitor client progress, conduct regular check-ins, conduct home visits and inspections for long term housing programs, and provide ongoing support to maintain housing.
• Advocate on behalf of clients to secure safe and stable housing options.
• Navigate housing systems and collaborate with landlords, property managers, and housing authorities.
• Stay informed about local housing resources and proactively identify new opportunities.
• Respond to housing crises promptly, providing support and intervention to prevent homelessness.
• Collaborate with community partners and resources to help participants to mitigate issues with credit reports, utility arrears, criminal records, past evictions, unfavorable landlord references, and other issues which may impact housing eligibility.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers, especially Vivent Health Care Teams, to integrate housing solutions into overall health plans.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with landlords, property owners, and property management companies.
• Ensure that lease terms align with the needs and preferences of individuals receiving services.
• Facilitate the placement of clients into stable and supportive housing.
• Conduct market research to identify housing trends, availability, and opportunities in the local community.
• Provide participants with listings of potential housing options in alignment with their needs and geographic preferences.
• Stay informed about housing policies and regulations that may impact client placements.
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate records of housing placements, lease agreements, landlord interactions, client interactions, housing plans, and outcomes.
• Maintain accurate and confidential client records, documenting assistance provided. Need to follow all HIPAA and PHI requirements.
• This job description is not all-inclusive and outlines the main responsibilities and requirements of the role. Employees may be asked to perform additional job-related tasks as needed.
• Adhere to all agency policies, including but not limited to Confidentiality, Employee Handbook, Health Care Corporate Compliance Plan, Standards of Conduct, training, and other relevant policies. NOTE: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Knowledge Required

Required and preferred knowledge and experiences to succeed.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Health, or a related field is required.

Work Experience

• Coordinate and administer rent assistance programs, ensuring efficient and timely delivery of services. Provide guidance and assistance with housing applications, eligibility criteria, and lease agreements.
• Worked or Lived experience in social services, housing, or a related field.
• Experience working in healthcare and social service systems.
• Experience working with individuals facing housing challenges is preferred.
• Familiarity with local housing resources, rental markets, and housing support services.
• Experience working with housing assistance programs, including knowledge of eligibility criteria, application processes, and documentation requirement.

Technical Experience

• Experience working with basic office and database computer programs, including familiarity with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, and Tableau.
• Understanding of rental applications and online tenant screening process.
• Basic Understanding of HMIS and ability to document in the system.
• For positions that require driving a company vehicle, a valid driver's license, auto insurance and a clean driving record.

Soft Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Empathy and understanding of diverse cultural perspectives.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Commitment to upholding ethical standards and confidentiality.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with HIV/AIDS and related issues and/or experience working with people with a life-threatening illness.
• Experience in providing services to persons encountering problems of homelessness, poverty, unemployment, substance use disorders, and behavioral health issues.
• Experience with harm reduction, motivational interviewing, cultural inclusivity, and trauma-informed care.
• Knowledge/experience of housing subsidy programs.

Pay

• Starting at $49,920/annually (Depending on Experience)
• The final salary will be determined based on factors such as market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications. Please note that it is uncommon for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range.

Benefits

• Public Student Loan Forgiveness: Employment at our organization may qualify you for federal student loan forgiveness programs. We do not directly pay for – nor forgive – federal student loans; however, our status as a not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3), makes us an eligible employer. There may be other determining factors for one to qualify. Please follow this URL to review one such program and their requirements: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.