Job Title: Housing Specialist

Department: Supportive Housing

Reports to: Program Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Scheduled Work Times/Locations

Monday – Friday, 8:30AM – 4:30PM; 211 Wethersfield Ave. Hartford, CT

Position Summary

Assists with housing search and placement along with leveraging supportive services that will assist the participant household to maintain permanent housing. Ensures that 100% of participants are placed in suitable permanent housing. Provides a variety of office and field activities to manage and monitor housing placements, performs direct client services, and compiles related documentation.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• 
  Orienting all eligible clients to the program.
• Assists clients with completing intake paperwork and along with the application process.
• Provide housing search and supportive services to promote client’s self-sufficiency, integration into the community, and permanency in housing.
• Duties performed are both in a general office environment and in the field and community where program participants reside.
• Assess housing barriers of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to determine housing and service needs.
• Maintains that information is accurate in the client’s files/records, collecting and completing all required documentation and submitting in a timely manner.
• Develop a housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with clients.
• Serve as liaison to provide mediation and advocacy with landlords/neighbors on the client’s behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and/or maintain housing.
• Assist clients in locating and securing housing of their choice.
• Conduct inspections of vacant units to ensure that they meet local codes for HCV and other housing funders.
• Create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e., tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors, and creditors) to ensure timely notification to participants along with conducting final reviews of verification and documentation.
• Identify clients’ strengths and barriers to stability and assist participants to reduce housing barriers.
• Provide pro-active follow-up home visits to ensure stability and further progress towards self-sufficiency.
• Apply knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate clients about their rights and responsibilities.
• Rent reasonableness and payment standards based on federal guidelines.
• Calculate and enter client portion of rent and assistance and submit calculations to finance for payment.
• Maintain accurate files according to funding regulations and generate monthly outcome reports, and files for each client using software dedicated to this agency.
• Transport clients as deemed necessary. Transportation requirements should be limited to housing and job searches and occasional visits to relevant social service agencies.
• Attend monthly housing/provider meetings.
• Serve as backup to staff as needed.
• Assume other responsibilities as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field with 2-4 years related experience.
• May consider work experience in lieu of educational requirements.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Must be able to work with a multicultural staff and clientele.
• Demonstrate organizational skills and attention to details.
• Effective time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Effective leadership skills, good interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Effective planning, assessment, and conflict resolution skills.
• Knowledge of Mental Health/Substance Use, HIV/AIDS, and homeless delivery systems a plus.
• Proficiency with Outlook, Excel, or related software.

Licenses and Certifications

• Must have valid Connecticut driver’s license and clean driving record with proof of automobile insurance.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands associated with the essential functions of this job are intermittent physical activity, such as walking, sitting and occasional lifting, stooping, bending, and reaching.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation & Benefits

• $22 - $24.50 per hour, based on experience plus generous incentive compensation plan.

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  Community Housing Advocates provides a generous employee benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, short- and long-term disability, and tuition reimbursement. Full-time employees receive 10 days of PTO (paid time off) per year, plus 12 paid holidays.