Solutions Specialist; WC)

Position Title: Housing Solutions Specialist

Program: Whatcom Housing

Location: Bellingham, WA

Reports to: Program Director of Whatcom Housing

Hours: 40 hours per week;
Monday - Friday, day shift, non-exempt position

Starting wage range:$27.00 - $30.39

At Northwest Youth Services, we affirm youth experience and autonomy as we work together to foster collective healing and justice, in order to dismantle the systems of oppression that perpetuate youth homelessness. We believe that every young person deserves a supportive community and a home where they can thrive.

This position supports the success of NWYS by The Housing Solutions Specialist is the primary housing navigation point of contact for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability in Whatcom County. This position serves as the central point of contact for youth referred through the Ground Floor drop-in center, outreach teams, or internal programs requiring housing support. This position provides direct service to vulnerable youth and young adults and requires proven approachability, adaptive, and professional skills.

The Housing Solutions Specialist conducts housing assessments, identifies appropriate housing pathways, and supports access to homelessness prevention and diversion resources, emergency housing, rapid re-housing, Transitional Living Programs, and housing program waiting lists through the Youth Housing Interest Pool. The role provides ongoing, housing-focused case management for youth on the Youth Housing Interest Pool while they await housing placement and supports transitions into housing when opportunities become available.

The position is primarily based at the Ground Floor drop-in center and includes travel throughout Whatcom County. Transporting youth is a required function of this role.

This job description reflects the essential functions of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned in response to program needs, funding requirements, and organizational priorities.

Housing Intake, Assessment, and Navigation

• Collaborate with Housing Case Managers, Ground Floor staff, outreach teams, and community partners to identify youth needing support.
• Conduct housing assessments to identify immediate needs, housing barriers, eligibility, and appropriate housing pathways.
• Work directly with youth to access housing options, including homelessness prevention and diversion programs, emergency housing, rapid re-housing, transitional living programs, and other community-based housing resources.
• Facilitate strengths-based diversion and prevention conversations to identify safe solutions for housing.
• Assist youth with applications and documentation required for housing diversion and flex fund programs.
• Complete Coordinated Entry assessments in HMIS for youth and young adults ages 17-24.
• Manage Coordinated Entry referrals, documentation, follow-up, and placement coordination within the local Coordinated Entry system.

Youth Housing Interest Pool Management

• Maintain and manage the Youth Housing Interest Pool as the centralized housing waiting list for youth, including adding new youth, updating housing check-ins, and conducting regular outreach to maintain engagement.
• Provide ongoing navigation support to youth while they are on the Youth Housing Interest Pool and awaiting placement.
• Monitor youth status, readiness, and documentation while on the waiting list and support preparation for housing placement.
• Participate in case conferencing with internal teams and external partners, including the Community Resource Network and Whatcom Homeless Service Center.
• Serve as a consistent housing-focused point of…