Youth Housing Specialist

Crosswalk / Young Adult Shelter Programs
2 Openings | Regular Full-Time | Hourly, Non-Exempt

Volunteers of America Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho is looking for two Youth Housing Specialists to support young people connected to our Crosswalk and Young Adult Shelter programs.

This role helps youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness, housing instability, family conflict, or barriers to care identify safe and stable housing options. The Youth Housing Specialist provides diversion support, housing navigation, case management, landlord engagement, resource coordination, and warm handoffs to help young people move toward stability.

This position may be based within or closely connected to Crosswalk Youth Shelter or Young Adult Shelter programming. Because this role supports youth-serving programs, applicants must be able to complete DCYF background requirements.

When housing feels out of reach, you help young people find the next step forward.

• Provide housing diversion and housing navigation support for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
• Accept referrals through youth housing and coordinated entry systems.
• Build trusting relationships with youth using trauma-informed, strengths-based, and youth-centered approaches.
• Help youth identify safe, realistic housing options that align with their goals, needs, and circumstances.
• Complete housing assessments, program paperwork, referrals, and required documentation.
• Support youth with Housing Choice Voucher paperwork, identification documents, benefit navigation, and other housing-related needs.
• Maintain knowledge of local housing resources, eligibility criteria, landlord/tenant expectations, and community supports.
• Build and maintain relationships with landlords, community providers, housing programs, schools, shelters, and service partners.
• Help youth communicate with landlords and problem-solve issues that may place housing at risk.
• Provide case management, including goal planning, referrals, appointment support, advocacy, and follow-up.
• Support access to emergency services when needed, including medical care, crisis support, shelter, detox, or law enforcement response.
• Enter timely, accurate, and complete data into HMIS/CMIS and other required agency or program systems.
• Maintain client files and program records in accordance with agency, program, grant, and confidentiality requirements.
• Participate in community meetings, outreach, provider collaboration, supervision, staff meetings, and training.
• Meet program expectations for participant contact, billable services, documentation, and grant requirements.

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field and at least one year of relevant experience; or
• High school diploma or GED and at least two years of equivalent work experience.

You will also need:

• Ability to pass required background checks, including DCYF background requirements.
• Ability to be licensed as an Agency Affiliated Counselor and apply for the AAC credential within 30 days of hire.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to maintain auto liability insurance.
• Ability to complete CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, Responsible Renters Certification, and other required position or program trainings.
• Ability to complete TB testing before employment begins or provide qualifying recent negative TB test results.
• Strong communication, documentation, organization, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to work with youth and young adults in a way that is respectful, practical, trauma-informed, and nonjudgmental.
• Ability to balance outreach, case management, landlord communication, documentation, and changing priorities.
• Comfort working in community settings, shelters, participant homes, and other nontraditional service locations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and ethical practice standards.

VOA pays for required employment-related items, including the AAC credential, required background checks, required training, certifications, and TB testing.

• Experience working with youth, young adults, runaway or homeless youth, shelter…