Housing Solutions Specialist

This position sits in the Office of Community Services within the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. The goal of the Housing Solutions Specialist is to support people in their successful transitions out of emergency shelters and homeless system housing programs. The position also will work with households to prevent episodes of homelessness and maintain housing when appropriate. This position will work across the array of CoC providers, leveraging relationships with those providers and the robust DHS data systems to identify and serve eligible households. Through the provision of specialized housing navigation and support, this role will improve system flow and conserve homeless system housing units for those with the greatest need, while reducing the length of time households experience homelessness.

The population of households the Housing Specialist will provide direct assistance to are individuals utilizing emergency shelter, experiencing unsheltered homelessness, and/or residing in unhabitable or untenable situations. There is a focus on individuals who are not eligible, not likely to receive, or not in need of longer-term housing (Rapid Rehousing/Permanent Supportive Housing) services within the homeless system. The types of assistance include but are not limited to assisting in becoming document ready, housing search, housing applications, connection to potential resources for income, employment, & health insurance, and linkage to resources related to their housing crisis and other available social services. This position will also work with households enrolled in homeless system housing programs, who no longer need the support services within those programs to support moving on to independent, safe, and stable permanent housing.

If hired for this position, you would be an employee of our partner agency, Community Family Advocates working onsite at Allegheny County DHS.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides individuals with direct assistance to help resolve housing crises.
• Provides a preliminary eligibility screening for publicly and privately funded programs in addition to the presenting housing crisis.
• Serves as an expert on the different types of housing available, the requirements for each, the process for applying, and recommended resources for listings.
• Assists households with completing paperwork and becoming 'document ready' for housing.
• Acts as a resource for reviewing leases and explaining tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Completes assessments, as appropriate, for homeless housing services & supports relating to homeless services.
• When needed, advocates on the household’s behalf and when appropriate, assists the household to empower itself to advocate on its own behalf.
• Engages individuals in a way in which they are comfortable.
• Embraces a “do whatever it takes” attitude.
• Responsible for tracking supports provided.
• Participates in team meetings, trainings, and other related events as a resource specialist representing DHS.
• Identify and communicate opportunities to improve processes and services, including need trends and gaps in service for continuous improvement.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Additional Responsibilities

From time to time, the employee will be required to perform additional tasks and duties as required by the employer.

What we are looking for:

Core Knowledge Areas

• Strong knowledge of local, state, and federal housing resources and how to access them
• Understanding of the county’s homeless system and Continuum of Care (CoC) providers
• Knowledge of local stabilization resources (mediation, utility assistance, rental assistance)
• Knowledge of affordable housing search strategies and processes
• Knowledge of tenant rights, responsibilities, and lease review
• Familiarity with navigating social service systems, benefits, and supports

Direct Service & Client Support Skills

• Experience conducting eligibility screenings for housing programs
• Ability to assist clients in becoming “document ready” (IDs, income verification, applications, etc.)
• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills with diverse populations
• Ability to engage individuals in trauma‑informed, person‑centered ways
• Advocacy skills—both advocating for clients and empowering them to advocate for themselves
• Ability to complete assessments related to homeless services
• “Do whatever it takes” mindset to help resolve housing crises
• Social Work and Mental Health experience a plus.

Communication & Collaboration Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to build partnerships across organizations and work collaboratively with CoC providers
• Comfort participating in team meetings, trainings, and continuous-improvement discussions

Organizational & Technical Skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a high-performing team
• Strong organizational, time‑management, and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to manage fast-paced work, maintain confidentiality, and exercise good judgment
• Ability to learn and use web-based tools, PC software, and reporting/documentation systems
• Reliable transportation and ability to navigate community-based work

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, consistent with applicable law.

Education/Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a field of study related to social services or any equivalent combination of education and experience which meets the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
  
• Two (2) years experience of field work related to social services preferred.
  
  

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Act 33, 34 and FBI clearances.

Why DHS?

DHS is diverse, but we strive to be even more inclusive. This includes equity in hiring and advancement, as well as in unleashing the creativity and ideas of staff at every level of DHS.It has strong, assertive leaders. We do not hire yes-people.

You can make a big impact here. We stand out as one of the best human services organizations in the country. But we need problem-solvers, innovators, and terrific leaders to make sure we are smart in how we use our funding so that we reach the people who most need our help to make their lives better.

“DHS strives to be the kind of place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come to grow and do their best work.”

-From the organization’s statement on Equity and Inclusion

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER -M/F/V/D