Housing Stability Specialist

The Housing Stability Specialist plays a vital role in addressing housing instability by providing comprehensive problem-solving assistance to individuals and families. This position focuses on identifying the root causes of housing instability, developing solutions to overcome barriers, and supporting participants in achieving long-term housing stability. The specialist will work directly with participants to assess their needs, connect them with resources, and facilitate problem-solving strategies for securing and retaining stable housing.

The role also includes collaboration with community agencies, landlords, case managers, and other housing professionals to ensure holistic and sustainable solutions.

• Conduct thorough assessments of participants’ housing situations, financial status, and underlying issues contributing to housing instability (e.g., eviction, financial hardship, relationship with landlords). Develop tailored problem-solving strategies to address these challenges, helping participants overcome immediate obstacles and secure stable housing.
• Use a strengths-based approach to empower participants in identifying and resolving barriers to housing.

• Guide participants through the process of accessing housing-related resources, including emergency housing, rental assistance programs, financial aid, legal services, and tenant education. Connect participants with community-based resources to solve housing-related problems effectively.
• Ensure participants receive the necessary support to resolve disputes with landlords, manage financial hardships, and secure rental housing.

• Advocate on behalf of participants in dealing with landlords, property managers, and housing authorities. Provide problem-solving assistance in lease negotiations, understanding tenant rights, resolving eviction threats, and addressing landlord-tenant disputes.
• Serve as a mediator to resolve conflicts that threaten housing stability and ensure participants’ voices are heard.

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with local housing agencies, government programs, legal services, nonprofit organizations, and other community resources. Facilitate communication between all parties to address housing problems in a coordinated manner.
• Attend relevant community meetings and coalitions to stay informed about available resources and advocacy efforts that can benefit participants.

• Maintain detailed and accurate participant records, tracking housing assessments, problem-solving interventions, and referrals. Regularly update case files to reflect progress toward housing goals and any ongoing challenges.
• Prepare reports on key performance metrics, including housing retention, problem-solving effectiveness, and overall program impact.

• Provide ongoing support to participants post-placement, offering problem-solving strategies for issues that may arise in their new housing, such as rent payments, landlord disputes, or maintenance concerns.
• Offer financial literacy and budgeting advice to ensure participants are equipped to sustain their housing long-term.

• Provide immediate crisis intervention services for participants at risk of eviction or homelessness. Work with participants to develop emergency housing plans and connect them with temporary housing options if necessary.
• Engage in creative problem-solving to ensure that participants facing crises are not displaced and have a clear path to stability.

• While this position is primarily based at Together’s Omaha Housing Stability Clinic, the Housing Stability Specialist may be assigned to provide coverage or support at Together’s Council Bluffs walk-in service location or other program locations as needed to meet operational and participant service needs.

Participate in the design and implementation of new initiatives aimed at solving common housing problems.…