Housing Specialist - Shelter Services

POSITION: Housing Specialist 

REPORTS TO: Shelter Director 

CLASSIFICATION: Full Time 

STATUS: Salaried Non-Exempt 

SALARY: $47,000 per Annum 

General Description: The Housing Specialist provides assistance, information and support to participants at the Family Shelter in an effort to find safe, appropriate housing of participants’ choice, using subsidies and other available resources to maintain residential stability. The Housing Specialist promotes participants’ self-sufficiency, integration in the community and permanency in housing. 

The Housing Specialist is classified as an essential worker and as such, accepts responsibility for the completion of their critical services to participants, on site, even during times of emergency. These include, but are not limited to, emergencies caused by weather, nationwide pandemics, civil unrest, and domestic threat. 

Key Areas of Responsibility: 

• Assesses participants' eligibility in determining their housing and service needs. 

• Identifies and seeks to eliminate housing barriers including performing budget counseling. 

• Assists participants with the search for available properties and negotiating terms on behalf of participant. 

• Collaborates with government agencies, community organizations and property owners. 

• Develops, cultivates, and maintains housing resources which includes establishing relationships with landlords and brokers. 

• Ensures that participants understand their rights and responsibilities as tenants. 

• Investigates and resolves client and landlord issues. 

• Provides information and refers participants to additional support programs or services. 

• Transports participants as deemed necessary, including but not limited to open houses/apartment viewings and/or lease signings.   

• Prepares and maintains daily logs, records, activity documentation and reports and issues residency letters, as needed. Ensures compliance with funder expectations and goals related to housing searches. 

• Understands and adheres to program rules and restrictions. 

• Hosts on-site housing-ready workshops. 

• Assists with the closure of cases. 

• Completes pro-active follow up home visits to ensure stability and further progress towards self-sufficiency; this includes support, advocacy, reducing isolation, listening, problem solving and identification of resources to assist with reintegration of participants in the community. 

Education: 

• Minimum HS diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s Degree in a human services, social work or related field (preferred). 

Skills & Abilities: 

• Minimum of 3-years' experience in human services, experience as a Housing Specialist with homeless and/or underserved populations preferred. 

• Knowledge and belief in the “Housing First” philosophy and strategies. 

• Knowledgeable about the New York City housing market, entitlement programs, social service agencies and community services, including current housing subsidies and public benefits programs.  

• Knowledge of regulatory standards and property management. 

• Good communication, interpersonal and listening skills. 

• Strong analytical, mediating and negotiation skills. 

• Excellent organizational and case management skills with ability to manage multiple caseloads from different sites. 

• Sensitive to intersectionality, different cultures, housing equality and a demonstrated ability to work within a social/racial justice framework.  

• Creative thinker/adaptive personality. 

• Commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems. 

• Conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change. 

• Ability to establish and set appropriate limits with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence. 

• Ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers or professionals. 

• Capacity to maintain a role to empower participants and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals.  

• Bilingual preferred. 

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word and Excel).   

• Knowledge of CARES plus.