Housing Specialist; On-Site

Job Location:

Austin, TX 78653
Position Type:
Full-Time
Education Level: Bachelors Degree
Salary Range: $52,000.00 - $57,000.00 per year

Travel Percentage :
Up to 75%
Job Shift: Any

Provides a variety of office and field activities to manage and monitor a rapid rehousing/transition-in-place for families, and performs direct client services. Work involves understanding housing preferences and orienting eligible participants. Accompanies the Veteran during the housing search, keeping the participant engaged. Assists in gathering the required documentation, serves as an advocate with landlord and resources, promotes participant’s self‑sufficiency and integration into the community, and permanency in housing.

Performs administrative tasks involved in the review and maintenance of a caseload of program participants.

• Engage and build relationships with landlords, property management companies, and housing providers to identify and expand housing opportunities for Veterans, particularly those experiencing homelessness or facing significant barriers to securing permanent housing.
• Utilize the Housing First model to assist Veterans in obtaining rapid access to permanent housing whenever possible. Work collaboratively with landlords and housing providers to overcome barriers to housing placement, including zero income, multiple evictions, broken leases, criminal history, or a combination of these factors, while negotiating rental terms, move‑in requirements, and reasonable accommodations to support successful housing placement and long‑term housing stability.
• Maintain an up‑to‑date database of housing resources, available rental units, landlords, and property management contacts throughout the service area. Conduct housing searches and provide housing navigation services, including identifying available units, coordinating viewings, assisting with rental applications, and supporting lease‑up activities.
• Serve as an ongoing liaison between property managers, HUD VASH case managers and participants.
• Provide education and support to Veterans regarding tenant rights and responsibilities, lease compliance, budgeting, and maintaining housing stability.
• Coordinate with HUD‑VASH staff and other housing voucher programs to identify available housing resources for eligible Veterans. Assist participants in gathering, completing, and submitting all required documentation for voucher issuance, housing enrollment, and lease‑up processes, while ensuring timely communication and collaboration to facilitate successful housing placement.
• Perform housing inspections and ensure units meet SSVF habitability and program requirements prior to financial assistance approval.
• Maintain accurate daily logs records, monthly outcome reports, and files for each client. Collect and report program data, including but not limited to HMIS reporting and funders’ required data.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Demonstrate Exceptional customer service, in Everything you do, by placing the child, family, Veteran or client first to support our mission to "Empower people to build better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities."

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s Degree and/or a minimum of two‑year degree in Human Services related field or an equivalent amount of experience in the Human Services or Business field is required in lieu of degree. Real Estate license is a plus.
• Experience:
  
  2 years’ experience in Human Services or Business field. Experience in "Housing First" philosophy and strategies, tenant’s rights and responsibilities as well as "strength based" case management, is a plus.
• Attendance:
  Must maintain regular and acceptable attendance at such level as is determined in the employer’s sole discretion.
• Licenses:
  Driver’s License with clear record.
• Vehicle:
  Must have daily use of a vehicle without prior notice. Must have ability to travel independently throughout the services area.
• Other:
  Must be available and willing to travel to various locations and with such frequency as the business need dictates. Must not pose a direct threat or significant risk of substantial harm to the safety or health of himself/herself or…