Housing Specialist

Overview

The Housing Specialist assists homeless families in their pursuit of permanent housing.  The Housing Specialist manages relationships with brokers, landlords, NYC housing, supportive housing, and any and all other housing options so that a steady stream of housing referrals can be accessed and provided to the families residing within the shelter.  The Housing Specialist coordinates trips into the community to view available apartments, accompanies clients for intakes into different housing, and/or provides the clients with the means for viewing all housing options.  The Housing Specialist conducts housing workshops in the program on the areas of program education, interviewing with a landlord, paying your bills, and any other topics deemed necessary to support movement and long-term placement into the community. The Housing Specialist works together with the case management team to ensure all clients are actively engaged in their own exit strategy and discharge plan or is referring to the client for next step or involuntary transfer.

Responsibilities

• To meet or exceed all the quarterly performance targets, such as: Facility Length of Stay and Exit and Housing placements as set annually by the Department of Homeless Services and The Salvation Army leadership.
• The Housing Specialist must maintain a current United States Driver’s license without violations or restrictions so that they are able to escort clients to appointments which will lead to obtaining permanent housing for homeless clients.  The Housing Specialist may be asked to assist in driving families to move ins, with SA vehicle if they are not able to find transportation for themselves.
• The Housing Specialist reports directly to the Case Manager Supervisor regarding all client housing and permanent placement related issues and concerns and is responsible for the placement of homeless families into permanent housing
• The Housing Specialist must have the ability to accurately oversee caseload of 50 families
• The Housing Specialist will ensure compliance with housing policies and procedures as per City and State Regulations and provide supportive assistance to their caseload in efforts to identify and resolve issues that interfere with the client’s ability to find placement in permanent housing.
• The Housing Specialist will instruct the families on the applications processes, and the housing search processes, monitor the families’ applications to programs, monitor and coordinate lease signing and/or public assistance payments, provide referrals to all eligible housing options, facilitate the families move-out process, document prior history of evictions and arrears
• The Housing Specialist will coordinate workshops that instruct clients on how to interview for an apartment, how to accurately complete an application, how to define their housing preferences and priorities, what is needed upon moving into an apartment, etc.
• The Housing Specialist must have accurate and detailed case progress notes for every client meeting and engagement that takes place.  The Housing Specialist also enters said case notes in the approved computer database of client records
• The Housing Specialist arranges meetings for housing intake and assessment of newly assigned residents within 24 hours of admission and is responsible for assessing residents’ eligibility for housing programs, and timeline for application to available programs
• The Housing Specialist completes all required paperwork, i.e. quantity of referrals, monthly housing update, housing notes, referral sheets, ARCs, contracts and other statistical requirements (TSA and DHS) on a timely basis.  Must input a minimum of 15 contacts per week in the database system
• The Housing Specialist reinforces the Residence rules and regulations and Department of Homeless Service Code of Conduct and Client Responsibility specific to housing
• The Housing Specialist may accept and organize resident intake referrals from HERO
• The Housing Specialist participates in all required client hearings and discharges
• The Housing Specialist participates in weekly housing, intake and case conferencing staff meetings
• The Housing Specialist actively engages in weekly clinical supervision with Director of Social Services

• The Housing Specialist will be assigned to work one late day per week (12pm – 8pm) and one rotating weekend shift per month
• To continue to run each of our shelters with excellence and to meet the needs of the program, employees may be asked to assume their same position, at one of our other shelters operated by the Salvation Army at the discretion of the Director of Shelters or Salvation Army Department Heads.
• Other assignments and tasks may be added at the discretion of the Director of Shelters or Salvation Army Department Heads.

Position Description Personnel Section

• Has respect and consideration for the people being served.
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize priorities in organization of workflow. 
• Able to perform duties independently, with minimal need of direct supervision.
• Maintains the confidentiality of clients, shelter/programs, agency, and/or The Salvation Army.
• Demonstrates the ability to interact in a positive and helpful manner with clients, visitors, contract staff, volunteers and co-workers. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field or a High School Diploma/GED and at least two years of experience working within a homeless shelter and/or with the homeless population.
• Experience working with clients pursuing independence and self-sufficiency outcomes is preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of all housing programs, intake process, and eligibility requirements for the shelter system.