Housing Specialist

Description

The Housing Specialist is responsible for supporting the Supportive Housing Team by assisting leadership, case managers, and specialists as they provide advocacy, education, and referral services to program participants and engage collaboratively with community providers to achieve client goals.

• Operate within the Du Page Pads  Core Values, which supports providing care in accordance with the Trauma Informed Policy and Practices of the Agency.
• Outreach to community, business owners, realtors, property owners, property managers, housing developers and other service providers to identify new and existing leasing opportunities and build strong relationships to better assist residents in accessing and sustaining stable housing.
• As needed, assist with resident caseload coverage and act as second staff person when additional help is needed for client visits.
• Provide administrative support for the department, including, but not limited to scanning client file documents, researching housing and compliance topics, updating the housing directory, recordkeeping, file retention, and destruction, etc.
• Assist individuals and families as needed during their move into housing. Such assistance may include viewing potential apartments, organizing furnishings, coordinating movers, and providing transportation.
• Assist with move-out procedures and turnover of leased units for new occupants which may include arranging for item removal, cleaning, and repairs.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with co-workers to effectively support clients.
• Maintain confidentiality of privileged information and adhere to client privacy laws; demonstrates sensitivity of other ethnic groups and cultures.
• Arrange transportation for program participants to activities/appointments if needed.
• Participate in client staffing’s/supervision and team meetings/ agency meetings and required trainings.
• Adhere to department guidelines for attendance and punctuality.
• Flexibility in scheduling.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Ability to handle and work with resident and agency sensitive confidential information/data
• Excellent engagement skills
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
• Lived experience or experience working with people with disabilities, serious mental illness, individuals of various ethnicities, socio-economic, LGBTQIA+, and social backgrounds; demonstrates cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to think conceptually and to be creative
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office Suite products (Access, Excel, Word) as required.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks, and to meet deadlines.

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or related field preferred, or equivalent work experience.
• Strong customer service focus.
• Experience in issues related to homelessness preferred.

• Flexible hours required.
• Be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Provide own transportation and possess a valid Illinois Driver’s License.