Housing Specialist

Housing Specialist

The Housing Specialist contributes to Homeless Initiative Program's (HIP) Mission by ensuring that all clients seeking housing will be assisted with professional services in a kind atmosphere offering full service and linkage to meet all expressed needs. Key outcomes include: assessing clients housing barriers and needs; housing search and placement including all aspects of finding permanent, safe and affordable housing; developing and maintaining positive relationships with landlords, management companies and local housing agencies;

consistent communication with clients and Case Managers; and ensuring that all guidelines for housing placement services are followed and all data entry and documentation is submitted in a timely manner.

Key Expected Outcomes

• Actively participate in all scheduled staff/team and supervision meetings.
• Actively participate in HIP Housing Committees to develop housing goals on client centered care plan.
• Stay in close communication with all partners, internal and external, regarding where a client is in housing search and placement process.
• Assess housing barriers of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to determine housing and service needs.
• Provide direct support to clients in all aspects of permanent, safe and affordable housing placement including assistance with applications for non- subsidized and subsidized housing, including state and federal housing, project-based section 8, and with income restricted housing (LIHTC, HOME programs) as well as market rate housing in the greater Indianapolis area of client's choice.
• Ensure all units pass a Housing Quality Standards inspections prior to a client moving in.
• Participate in the development and facilitation of housing Rent Smart Workshops that both educate and inform clients about housing options, fair housing, tenant rights, etc.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with housing authorities, landlords, and management companies and outside agencies in order to maximize housing options for clients.
• Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords, debtors, and creditors on behalf of the client; develop a workable plan to obtain and or maintain housing.
• Collaborate with other agencies and community supports to maximize client outcomes, program goals and agency mission.
• Transport clients as necessary.
• Collect and report program data, including but not limited to HMIS reporting and funding required data.
• Assume other responsibilities as assigned.
• Establish and promote positive communication among all team members of HIP to increase collaborations and efficiency.
• Represent HIP in a professional manner at all times, providing courteous service to both internal and external partners and presenting a positive image of HIP services.

Who is Health Net?

Health Net is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization of community-based health centers located in Indianapolis and Bloomington, IN Since 1968, Health Net has improved the health status of the neighborhoods it serves by making quality health services accessible to everyone. Health Net annually provides affordable health care to more than 61,000 individuals through its network of 8 primary care health centers 2 dental clinics, 2 school-based clinics, a mobile health unit, and additional support services.

Health Net's mission is to improve lives with compassionate health care and support services, regardless of ability to pay.

Requirements

Education, Experience, Degrees, Licenses

• Currently not sponsoring work visa.
• Requires a minimum of two years of previous experience in related field performing similar duties: property management, housing advocacy, or social service.
• Requires strong written and oral communication skills with ability to present to groups
• Requires experience with Microsoft office
• Requires organizational, problem solving, and critical thinking skills
• Requires professional appearance and manner
• Requires ability to work independently, effectively as part of a team and with a diverse group of clients, staff and community members.
• Requires experience with computer and knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Critical Skills, Knowledge, and Behaviors

• Knowledge of affordable housing programs and different requirements of various subsidy applications and documentation processes.
• Knowledge of housing issues, including tenant's rights and landlord/tenant law.
• Possess strong organizational skills, and attention to detail to accurately complete documentation requirements.
• Strong group facilitation…