Housing Case Specialist

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Housing Manager, the Housing Specialist is responsible for assisting families/individuals in identifying and accessing supportive services on a long-term basis. The Housing Specialist provides support with landlord relationships and case management. Essential functions of the job include housing-based education, credit/budgeting and basic skills counseling, health and wellness supports, and linkage to appropriate related community resources. The Housing Specialist must be able to develop strong working relationships with the client population, be able to relate to individuals making significant life decisions and be supportive of individuals' increasing independence. Compile data and reports per guidelines of EOHLC/Funders/City of Lawrence, Amesbury and North Andover.

Essential Functions/Key Responsibilities

Housing Counseling:

• Works with clients to develop individualized housing plans.
• Provides Case Management Services to caseload.
• Assists clients with housing applications, completes supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, surveys rental market for affordable housing, and advocates for clients with prospective landlords.
• Develops housing listing for clients in Lawrence and surrounding areas and coordinates moves to permanent housing.

Maintains Client Records:

• Maintains accurate documentation of service objectives and outcomes as well as other services in accordance with program and agency guidelines.
• Maintains client-related data and case notes in the ENGAGE system or any other data system as required by the program.
• Prepares case management related reports including but not limited to outcomes, challenges, successes, etc.

Home visits/ Client follow-up:

• Continually monitors and evaluates each client’s progression through their housing case management plan and develops corrective action revisions to the plan as needed;
• Maintains a working relationship with all landlords and management companies where clients reside
• Provides tenant training for clients

Support and Referral Services

• Provides financial assistance by referring clients to the RAFT program and to other special rental assistance grant programs.
• Complete RAFT, ESG, Home base, and other housing applications/processes.
• Assists in completing Section 8 applications, rental applications, leases, and letters to tenants, landlords, housing authorities, or housing court.
• Refer to community resources. i.e.. WIC, LIHEAP, SNAP, Furniture, clothing & food pantries
• Ensures compliance with all agency policies

Other tasks as required by the position

Skills & Qualifications

• Preferably bachelor's degree in human services, education, communications or related field • Required associate’s degree in human services or related field.
• Five years of experience providing services to low-income population • Experience in the provision of housing services preferred.
• Knowledge of housing related resources, housing rights issues.
• Must be bilingual (English/Spanish). • Excellent written and oral communication skills. • Skills in human relations and counseling.
• Must have proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office and familiar with maintaining a database. • Must be committed to providing effective customer/client service and demonstrate self-initiative.
• Must be able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Must be able to interact with highly diversified clientele and be able to work in a high-volume office environment.
• Must have a suitable CORI & SORI completed within the first thirty (30) days of employment. •Must have own transportation and a valid driver’s license.
• Will work towards a social work license, LSWA, or LSW within one year of being hired.
• Ability to work effectively with and meet the needs of people from a wide range of backgrounds, identities, cultures, nationalities, and languages that make up the rich complexity of GLCAC, consumers, including its employees, partners in the community, and clientele. Everyone is responsible for supporting the agency’s mission of building an environment of fairness and opportunity where people are valued for their unique contributions.

Other

Supervisory Responsibility: May work with student interns and volunteers

Travel: Must have reliable transportation.

Physical Demands: This job regularly requires the employee to sit, walk and stand as well as use hands repetitively to handle or operate standard office equipment. The employee is occasionally required to kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment: This job operates in a professional office environment and uses standard office equipment, such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, fax machines. Will be entering client’s homes