Outreach Housing Specialist

Outreach Housing Specialist

Essential

Job Responsibilities:

Outreach Housing Specialist serves as a liaison, coordinator and/or advocate between the Homelessness, Housing case Management, Medical Care departments or other community medical or agency service provider to remove homelessness barriers to house/care for clients. Accompanies clients to housing, medical, mental health, substance use disorder treatment or social service appointments to improve housing stability and medical care. Creates rapport within client interaction to help each progress in their housing issue to avoid homelessness situation.

Interviews prospective clients to determine homeless need, individual needs, and eligibility for various medical and social services, enrolling them into available community programs. Maintains organized system of tracking client outcomes through the services point systems (HMIS) and follow up with the goal of seeing clients progress toward improvements in their lives. Conducts initial interview/intake and client housing barriers and other assessments.

Gathers and documents all necessary information for program eligibility and case plans. Helps program participants identify potential neighborhoods where they wish to live, conducts housing searches in said areas and negotiates with potential landlords on behalf of the participants.

Services Planning and Documentation:

Conducts research, outreach, education, and public relations to build a pool of landlords and property management companies willing to rent to program participants. Coordinates, supports and follows up on medical treatments. Maintains an average annual active caseload as assigned by the supervisor. Assists in the processing and submission of applications for housing (subsidized and unsubsidized). Inputs client information using electronic data entry according to agency and departmental guidance.

Maintains comprehensive knowledge of community services to apply knowledge of services to individual client needs. Supports billing through concurrent documentation of service provided and budget activities as required (i.e., reconciling billing across data systems including: PCIS, Web-based systems, CASEWATCH, HIMS, Next Gen and client electronic health records). Participates in staff training sessions within the time frames specified and as required by the agency and the funding source.

Other:

Participates in agency developmental activities as requested. Other duties as assigned.

Community Involvement:

Participates in agency developmental activities as requested.

Physical Requirements:

This work requires the following physical activities: constant sitting, walking, and hearing, talking in person and talking on the phone. Occasional driving stretching/reaching, and standing are required. Work usually performed in an office setting.

Travel Requirements and Details:

Own transportation required/Home, Airport, streets Visits/Annual.

Work Experience:

Two (2) years of related work experience is required. Knowledge of homeless community resources and community services is required. Experience to work with multicultural and diverse population. Experience in Rapid Re-Housing program, Permanent Supportive Housing and FQHC program.

Education:

High school diploma is required.

Skills:

Required:

Oral Communication Advanced Interpersonal Skills Advanced Multitasking Advanced Verbal Communication Advanced Patience Advanced Enthusiastic Advanced Microsoft Office Advanced Phone etiquette Advanced Courteous Advanced Team Player Advanced Windows Advanced Phone Systems Advanced Customer Support Advanced Customer Focus Advanced Communication Expert Customer Service Expert Written Communication Expert Bilingual (Other) Expert

Behaviors:

Required:

Detail Oriented:
Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well Team Player:
Works well as a member of a group Enthusiastic:
Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest Dedicated:
Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations:

Required:

Ability to Make an Impact:
Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization Flexibility:
Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals

Education:

Required:

High School or better.

Experience:

Required:

2 years:
Knowledge of homeless community resources and community services is required. Experience to work with multicultural and diverse population. Experience in Rapid Re-Housing program, Permanent Supportive Housing and FQHC program.