Housing Specialist

Full position information and application is available on Indeed.com.

Full job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Housing Specialist assists with housing search and placement along with leveraging supportive services that will assist People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/A) to obtain or maintain permanent housing. The Housing Specialist is responsible for providing a variety of office and field activities to manage and monitor the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program and the Ryan White Part B housing program, perform direct client services, and compile related documentation. The focus of this position is providing emergency housing support for clients who are marginally housed or unhoused.

Work involves orienting eligible participants to the program and providing housing assistance and supportive services to promote participants’ self-sufficiency, integration into the community, and work towards permanency in housing; performing administrative tasks involved in the review and maintenance of a caseload of program participants. The principal duties are performed both in a general office environment and in the field and community where program participants reside, including motel rooms and home visits.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

  • Intake and Follow-up: Ensure seamless housing intake and follow-up by being proficient in both Ryan White and HOPWA program paperwork and services. Complete HOPWA and/or Ryan White housing intakes and reassessments while collaborating with case management team to ensure continuity of care for clients.
  • Goal Development: Assist participants in creating a strength-based, solution-focused individualized goal and action plan that promotes permanent housing and self-sufficiency; develop an effective and timely referral network to provide ongoing support and direction.
  • Case Management: Develop a housing case management plan with clients, including conducting intake assessments to determine client’s needs, goals, and eligibility. Identify participant strengths and barriers to stability; assist participants in reducing barriers and linking to resources and services.
  • Follow-up Visits: Conduct proactive follow-up appointments to ensure stability and further progress toward self-sufficiency, including support, advocacy, problem-solving, and resource identification. Visits will be completed in the office or in the field as needed.
  • Emergency Housing Assistance: Obtain temporary motel stays for unhoused individuals, working with the clients on a weekly basis to secure more permanent housing.
  • Housing Assistance: Aid participants in locating and applying for housing of their choice. Act as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants.
  • Mediation and Advocacy: Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on behalf of clients to develop workable plans for obtaining or maintaining housing.
  • Communication: Establish and maintain consistent verbal and written communication channels between multiple parties (e.g., tenant, landlord, referral source, clinic, collaborating agencies).
  • Application Assistance: Provide information and help participants apply for support from social service agencies and/or community programs (e.g., SNAP, KCDC).
  • Documentation Support: Assist participants in obtaining necessary documents for housing searches. This may include transporting and accompanying participants to agencies like the County Clerk’s office.
  • Budget Counseling: Assist in developing and encouraging adherence to a personal budget through proactive housing and budget counseling sessions; provide education on payment plans for bills and past debts to help clients maintain housing.
  • Lease Education: Apply knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate clients about their rights and responsibilities.
  • Documentation: Maintain daily documentation of services provided to participants, notating thoroughly to ensure continuity of care. Accurately enter Ryan White service units in CAREWare and REDCap monthly and enter HOPWA payments in the tracking spreadsheet monthly.
  • Data reporting: Collect and report program data, including but not limited to HMIS reporting and funders’ required data.
  • Transportation: Transport clients as necessary, primarily for housing and job searches and visits to relevant social service agencies.
  • Timely Communication: Respond promptly to calls, emails, and other communications.
  • Additional Tasks: Complete other tasks as deemed appropriate.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

  • Excellent communication skills, particularly listening, mediation, and writing skills.
  • Possess strong organizational skills with ability to meet a demanding workload.
  • Detail oriented to complete requirements of files and contract compliance.
  • Creative thinker/adaptive personality.
  • Knowledge or understanding of tenant’s rights and responsibilities as well as “strengths based” case management.
  • Concentrated record keeping, budgeting, and mathematical skills; ability to produce required reports to federal, state. and local government agencies and funding sources.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of community resources, social service agencies, and landlords.
  • Fluency in the English language is required. Spanish speaking ability is an added asset but is not required.
  • Experience with computer and knowledge of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and other Microsoft programs.
  • Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to travel to home visits across the East Tennessee Region. All work-related mileage is reimbursed for this position.
  • Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of population served.
  • A commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems.
  • A conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change.
  • The ability to establish and set appropriate limits with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence.
  • The ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers or professionals.
  • The capacity to maintain a role to empower clients and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

  • 403(b) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person