Housing Specialist

Position Summary

As a member of a housing team, the specialist assists households in securing and maintaining safe and affordable housing. The Housing Specialist directly assists clients affected by HIV/AIDS and their family members who are participating in Caracole’s permanent supportive housing programs or short term housing services. Engages participants to increase independent living skills and/or income as participants work toward program graduation.

Builds and maintains positive working relationships with landlords, advocates and other community providers.

POSITION TITLE:

HOUSING SPECIALIST

REPORTS TO:

Housing Supervisor
SUPERVISES: N/A

Position Summary:

As a member of a housing team, the specialist assists households in securing and maintaining safe and affordable housing. The Housing Specialist directly assists clients affected by HIV/AIDS and their family members who are participating in Caracole’s permanent supportive housing programs or short term housing services. Engages participants to increase independent living skills and/or income as participants work toward program graduation.

Builds and maintains positive working relationships with landlords, advocates and other community providers.

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field with at least six months experience in a social service setting, or equivalent experience. Basic knowledge of special needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, mental health, substance use, and homelessness. Proven ability to work harmoniously with ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse groups of individuals.

• Assist participants in obtaining documentation and locating appropriate housing.
• Develop individualized Housing Plans.
• Manage eligibility and documentation requirements for highly-regulated programs on a rigorous timeline.
• Coordinate care with housing team members and case managers in supporting participants’ success in maintaining housing.
• Work with participants and case managers to address participants’ needs, goals, barriers, and concerns.
• Initiate and maintain communication with participants’ case manager regarding the housing process.
• Educate clients regarding positive life skills.
• Provide transportation for clients when needed.
• Demonstrate commitment to Harm Reduction/Housing First models of housing retention.
• Ensure that all files meet program and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure that recertification of clients, documentation, database entries, and other such tasks are complete, accurate and on time.
• Complete Housing Quality Standards inspections when needed, in coordination with other members of the housing team.
• Serve as a liaison with landlords, utility companies, and the larger community.
• Market Permanent Housing Program to landlords and become familiar with housing tenant rights/laws utilizing other professional resources.
• Mediate issues between participants and landlords so that clients can maintain housing and avoid eviction.
• Assist the housing team in offering or providing input on tenant-training classes.
• Collaborate and interact with community agencies, work groups and task forces as assigned.
• Develop new relationships with employers, community organizations, landlords, and medical professionals to assist participants with needed resources.
• Identify and pursue educational opportunities to promote professional growth.
• Participate in continuous quality improvement, group and individual supervision, and required staff meetings.
• Maintain professional boundaries and model appropriate behavior.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

• REQUIRED SKILLS:
  
  Ability to maintain confidentiality in verbal, print, and electronic communications.
• Basic computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office.
• Read, write, speak and understand English with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Sensitivity to persons living with chronic disease (HIV/AIDS and/or addiction) and co-existing social, mental and physical conditions.
• Bilingual (Sp/En) preferred.

This position includes time spent working in office, remote at home, and in the community. Work is generally 9-5 M-F. The employee must be…