Advocate - Heartland RRH

Housing Advocate - Heartland Housing Opportunities RRH

At Heartland Family Service, we are committed to building a culture that is trauma informed and values and celebrate diversity and inclusion. We believe this allows for better service delivery and innovation, as it encourages our employees to bring various experiences and uniqueness to the workplace.

Trauma Informed Care is an approach to engaging people with histories of trauma that recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role that trauma has played in their lives. Trauma Informed Care also acknowledges the effects of working with trauma survivors on our workforce and seeks to build collaborative and supportive working environments and relationships.

If you believe in our mission of creating healthy families and communities, and like a fast pace, collaborative and team-oriented environment, then Heartland Family Service is the agency for you.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This Housing Advocate will work as a part of the team, serving program participants in the supportive housing Rapid Rehousing program. This program provides financial assistance and support services to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness and residing in Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie Counties. The Housing Advocate will work with landlords and property managers in the community to assist program participants to locate, obtain, and retain suitable housing.

Entry level position. Educational requirements are specific. Decision making and problem solving are required.

Compensation: between $17.95 and $21.40 per hour (wage is based on total years of relevant experience)
Work Schedule: 37.5 hours per week

• Bachelor's Degree in human service field
• OR High School diploma and four years’ experience is human services or property management
• OR equivalent combination of education/experience
• Valid Driver’s License and acceptable driving record

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• * Participate in weekly team meetings with program staff to review the status of program participants, including identifying housing barriers and service needs.
• * Assist clients in identifying housing needs and a budget for housing costs
• * Assists the clients in identification of strengths, needs, and goals to develop an individualized housing stability plan to locate housing.
• * Assist individuals or families in locating, obtaining, and retaining suitable housing though housing search and placement services, including providing transportation, assisting in completing rental applications and helping to ensure the inspection and move-in processes are completed timely
• * Maintain timely contact and follow up with Landlords regarding application statuses, scheduled showings and lease signings.
• Provide maximum utilization of available housing units by matching client needs and desires to available inventory.
• * Participate in team meetings with the Housing Search team to identify available units and creative solutions to address housing needs of program participants.
• * Assist with lease signings with program participants and obtain necessary paperwork to process financial assistance requests, including ensuring income verification is obtained and needed paperwork from landlords is on file.
• * Apply knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate clients of their rights and responsibilities.
• * Collaborate with program participants and Case Managers to provide assistance with move-in as needed, to include securing utilities and making moving arrangements.
• * Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client’s behalf to develop a plan to obtain and/or maintain housing.
• * Assist in locating unit vacancies and maintain up to date database of available units, including ensuring that identified units meet the needs of program participants.
• * Foster positive working relationships to increase retention of landlords through mediation, crisis resolution, utilization of mitigation funds and ongoing contact and collaboration.
• * Outreach to landlords and property managers within the community to inform them of the programs and recruit prospective landlords.
• * Work is completed in client homes,…