Housing Specialist (Springfield Family Residence)

About the role

The Housing Specialist assists homeless families in their pursuit of permanent housing. They manage relationships with brokers, landlords, NYC housing, supportive housing, and other housing options to provide steady housing referrals. They coordinate trips to view apartments, accompany clients for intakes, and provide clients with the means to explore housing options. They conduct workshops on program education, interviewing with a landlord, paying bills, and other relevant topics.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with brokers, landlords, NYC housing, supportive housing, and other housing options to provide steady housing referrals.
• Coordinate trips to view apartments, accompany clients for intakes, and provide clients with the means to explore housing options.
• Conduct workshops on program education, interviewing with a landlord, paying bills, and other relevant topics.
• Work with the case management team to ensure clients are actively engaged in their exit strategies and discharge plans or referred to next steps or involuntary transfers.
• Accurately oversee a caseload of 50 families.
• Ensure compliance with housing policies and procedures as per City and State Regulations and provide supportive assistance to clients.
• Instruct families on applications processes, housing search processes, monitor applications, coordinate lease signings, and provide referrals to eligible housing options.
• Facilitate families' move-out processes, document eviction and arrearage histories, and coordinate workshops on interviewing for an apartment, completing applications, defining housing preferences, and moving into an apartment.
• Enter case notes in the approved computer database of client records.
• Arrange meetings for housing intake and assessments of newly assigned residents within 24 hours of admission.
• Complete required paperwork, including referrals, monthly housing updates, housing notes, referral sheets, ARCs, contracts, and other statistical requirements.
• Input a minimum of 15 contacts per week in the database system.
• Reinforce residence rules and regulations and Department of Homeless Services Code of Conduct and Client Responsibility specific to housing.
• Accept and organize resident intake referrals from HERO.
• Participate in required client hearings and discharges.
• Attend weekly housing, intake, and case conference staff meetings.
• Engage in weekly clinical supervision with Director of Social Services.
• Assist with one late day per week (12pm - 8pm) and one rotating weekend shift per month.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field or a High School Diploma/GED and at least two years of experience working within a homeless shelter and/or with the homeless population.
• Experience working with clients pursuing independence and self-sufficiency outcomes is preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of all housing programs, intake process, and eligibility requirements for the shelter system.