Housing Specialist

Description:

The housing specialist creates permanent housing opportunities by developing an inventory of available housing units for IHS clients he/she is responsible for with varying price ranges. The specialist works with case management staff to maintain landlord/rental management relations and implements the IHS Supportive Housing programs to achieve performance outcomes of the program.

• Facilitate a culture of Ho'okipa (hospitality) by providing service to clients with a warm and welcoming attitude; interacting professionally with employees, vendors, landlords etc.
• Compile and implement necessary objectives of housing programs to ensure outcomes are met and assists consumers in meeting tenancy requirements, i.e. payments and lease requirements.
• Provide outreach and establish relationships with landlords to market housing programs and develop an inventory of available housing units for clients with a range of pricing.
• Inspects rental units and communicates housing quality to HUD, Case Manager and client.
• Conducts face to face housing presentations and schedules housing interviews with clients.
• Coordinates clients' applications to subsidy programs such as Section 8, or other types of permanent housing solutions with Case Manager to coordinate follow up efforts.
• Handles lease compliance issues and makes every effort to assist the client in preventing eviction.
• Works with the long-term Case Manager to assess the functioning level of clients' independent living skills and develop janitorial, maintenance and preventive plans that include regular check-ups to uncover problems to avoid crisis or failed placement.
• Provides on-going evaluation assistance, including Housing Assessments.
• Maintains records of referrals, assessments and placement plans in compliance with HUD Housing Counseling Plan; provides internal reports of program activity as well as administer standardized client self-report measures as required by the program and as determined by the Housing & Employment Director.

• Knowledge of Oahu/Honolulu housing market and property managers, fair housing laws, and landlord/tenant rights.
• Possess effective problem solving and organizational skills and computer proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and Access and/or database applications.
• Able to exercise judgment and work independently under general direction.
• Ability to effectively interact with professionals, partnering agencies and high needs clients including those with mental illness and/or substance abuse problems.
• Strong written documentation, communication, negotiating and organizational skills.

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field.
• At least one year experience working with disenfranchised or at risk individuals related in a homeless service and/or in a case management setting
• Proficient in Word, Excel and Access and/or database applications.

IHS is an EOE, Drug/Alcohol Free Workplace and an employer of National Service