Peer Counselor - Housing Support Services

Description

The Housing Support Services Case Manager/Certified Peer Specialist, with support from Team Lead and under the supervision of the Housing Support Services Program Manager, assists and provides Peer Support, Case Management and Street Outreach. Those served are individuals struggling with identified Substance Use Disorders, Serious Mental Health Illness, and Co‑Occurring disorders who are also homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.

This position engages clients through street outreach, walk‑ins, referrals, and self‑referrals. The role involves building rapport, screening for program placement, and offering case management and peer support to connect individuals with services such as housing, employment, education, healthcare, and mental health or substance use services. Additionally, the position supports participants with Activities of Daily Living, tenant/employee/neighbor practices, Fair Housing Rights, and resolving challenges in their homes or workplaces.

The Case Manager/Certified Peer Specialist also collaborates with landlords, employers, and local shelters, while documenting all encounters in our electronic systems.

• Attain Washington State Health Care Authorities Peer Specialists Certification
• Provide case management and peer support to individuals based on their self‑identified goals by:
• Assisting participants with connection to shelters, transitional living arrangements, and/or permanent housing
• Assisting participants with applying for and attaining benefits related to cash assistance, medical insurance, SSI/SSDI, SNAP, and/or other entitlements participants qualify for.
• Assisting participants with connection to employment and education opportunities
• Assisting participants with transportation to longer‑term support appointments such as primary care, MH treatment, SUD treatment, and/or but not limited to other agency/program support systems.
• Assisting participants with coordination alongside other providers, including SUD, MH, and housing opportunities.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with partnering community agencies to assist with coordination of care for participants.
• Attend weekly individual supervision with Housing Support Services Program Manager and monthly group supervision with agency Mental Health Professional.
• Attend team and community meetings anchored in identifying participant needs and coordination.
• Provide outreach and engagement to homeless individuals needing access to care and offer support with connecting to Substance Use Disorder support, Mental Health Treatment, Primary Care, Housing, shelter, employment, educations, and/or other benefits.
• Provide follow up and care to participants who either self‑refer or are referred to HSSP programs from internal or external community providers.
• Attend and complete trainings identified by agency and Housing Support Services programs
• Document services provided in electronic medical record and data software
• Conduct landlord outreach to assist with building positive landlord/tenant relationships.
• Participate in Peer Audits every 90‑days as directed by HSSP Team Lead and Program Manager.
• Assist with processing rental subsidies when funding is available.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

The following requirements are those that are normally required for performance of this position. Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet or more of the physical requirements, but who can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements:

This position normally requires that physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other work requiring low physical exertion, talking and hearing on a regular basis to perform the job requirements. These physical demands are required up to 80% of the time. Position also requires ability to drive with adequate vision and skill.

Non
- Physical Requirements:

Education

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• GED or High School Diploma Required

Experience

• Self-identify as having lived experience as a recipient of mental health or…