Housing Specialist

REPORTS TO:

Regional Client Services Manager

STATUS:
Full-time, Non-exempt

STARTING COMPENSATION: $23/hour

Competitive Benefits Package including agency covered health, vision, life and dental insurance, 403B retirement matching, 120 hours of paid vacation time, 56 hours of paid sick leave, 12 paid holidays and employee assistance program (EAP) benefits

The Housing Specialist assists with housing search and placement along with leveraging supportive services that will assist People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/A) to obtain or maintain permanent housing. The Housing Specialist is responsible for providing a variety of office and field activities to manage and monitor the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), perform direct client services, and compile related documentation.

Work involves orienting eligible participants to the program and providing housing assistance and supportive services to promote participants’ self-sufficiency, integration into the community, and work towards permanency and stability in housing; performing administrative tasks involved in the review and maintenance of a caseload of program participants. The principal duties are performed both in a general office environment and in the field and community where program participants reside, including motel rooms and home visits.

• Intake and Follow-up: Ensure seamless housing intake and follow-up by being proficient HOPWA program paperwork and services. Complete HOPWA intakes and reassessments while collaborating with case management team to ensure continuity of care for clients.
• Goal Development: Assist participants in creating a strength-based, solution-focused individualized goal and action plan that promotes permanent housing and self-sufficiency; develop an effective and timely referral network to provide ongoing support and direction.
• Case Management: Develop a housing case management plan with clients, including conducting intake assessments to determine client’s needs, goals, and eligibility. Identify participant strengths and barriers to stability; assist participants in reducing barriers and linking to resources and services.
• Follow-up Visits: Conduct proactive follow-up appointments to ensure stability and further progress toward self-sufficiency, including support, advocacy, problem-solving, and resource identification. Visits will be completed in the office or in the field as needed.
• Emergency Housing Assistance: Obtain temporary motel stays for unhoused individuals, working with the clients on a weekly basis to secure more permanent housing.
• Housing Assistance: Aid participants in locating and applying for housing of their choice. Act as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants. Provide ongoing support to ensure permanent housing stability.
• Mediation and Advocacy: Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on behalf of clients to develop workable plans for obtaining or maintaining housing.
• Communication: Establish and maintain consistent verbal and written communication channels between multiple parties (e.g., tenant, landlord, referral source, clinic, collaborating agencies).
• Application Assistance: Provide information and help participants apply for support from social service agencies and/or community programs (e.g., SNAP, KCDC).
• Documentation Support: Assist participants in obtaining necessary documents for housing searches. This may include transporting and accompanying participants to agencies like the County Clerk’s office.
• Budget Counseling: Assist in developing and encouraging adherence to a personal budget through proactive housing and budget counseling sessions; provide education on payment plans for bills and past debts to help clients maintain housing.
• Lease
  
  Education:
  
  Apply knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate clients about their rights and responsibilities.
• Documentation: Maintain daily documentation of services provided to participants, notating thoroughly to ensure continuity of care. Accurately enter HOPWA payments in the tracking spreadsheet monthly.
• Data reporting: Collect and report program data, including but not…