Housing Specialist Position Available In New Hanover, North Carolina

Housing Specialist First Fruit Ministries – 3.5 Wilmington, NC Job Details Full-time $44,795 – $47,073 a year 15 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Paid time off Vision insurance Life insurance Qualifications Bilingual Addiction counseling Intake Driver’s License Bachelor’s degree Non-CDL Class C Negotiation Entry level Landlord-tenant law Behavioral health

Full Job Description The Organization:

First Fruit Ministries, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, shares God’s unconditional love through supportive housing, critical resources, and medical, social, and spiritual care. We serve individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, and human trafficking, offering long-term support and a path to healing and restoration. Our ministry is rooted in relationship and guided by three core pillars: Sonship, recognizing our identity as beloved children of God; Empowerment, embracing the Holy Spirit’s transformative work in renewing minds and hearts; and Communication, expressing God’s love through Spirit-led words and actions in community.

Housing Specialist:

The Housing Specialist for First Fruit Ministries is the support system for clients enrolled in the ministry’s supportive housing programs as they transition into permanent housing. Using a trauma-informed model and housing first principles, the position is responsible for operating Supportive Housing programs with the Programs Team. In addition to this, the position will also provide housing navigation and/or case management for the ministry’s supportive housing programs. Engaging landlords and creating a network of appropriate rental units is a critical part of this work. The Housing Specialist must be a communicator, motivator, and an encourager in order to gain trust and achieve harm reduction and permanent housing for men, women, and families who struggle to overcome personal and institutional barriers to self-sufficiency. A large part of the position involves walking alongside vulnerable unsheltered individuals and families as you help them navigate mental illness, substance abuse, and primary care needs, while connecting them to income, permanent housing, and housing support to remain housed. Record keeping abilities are vital to this position.

Duties:

The duties for the Housing Specialist consist of, but may not be limited to, the following: Quality Programs Case management and housing navigation services to the ministry’s Supportive Housing programs. The responsibility of case management and housing navigation will shift depending on which program the client is enrolled in and how far along they are in their journey. It will be the Housing Specialist’s job to monitor this progress and coordinate warm hand offs for services within the supportive housing team. Effective collaboration with the Programs Team to achieve optimal client outcomes using a case conferencing approach as needed Practice with a trauma-informed, housing first approach Implementation of systems that reflect the expectations of various funder requirements Case Management Assist participants in development of a strength-based/solution-focused individualized goal and action plan that promotes permanent housing and self-sufficiency; clients are to be assessed for vulnerability and referred to Coordinated Entry as well. Assist in development of and encourage adherence to a personal budget through proactive housing and budget counseling sessions; provide budget counseling and education to assist clients in establishing payments plans for bills and past debts and to assist clients in obtaining and maintaining their housing. Provide proactive 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. Transport clients as deemed necessary. Transportation requirements should be limited to housing and job searches and occasional visits to relevant social service agencies. Housing Navigation Assess housing barriers of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to determine housing/service needs and program eligibility. Assist participants in locating and securing housing of their choice. Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client’s behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and or maintain housing. Data Collection & Analysis Maintain accurate files for each client, paying special attention to grantor requirements for program monitoring and audit. Collect and report program data, including but not limited to HMIS, EmpowerDB, and OVC PMT reporting and funders’ required data. Build yearly Annual Progress Report for HUD funded supportive housing programs and send the report to the Programs Manager in a timely manner for review. Track services provided according to OVC standards for quarterly and annual grant performance reporting Collaboration with Data Manager to ensure timely, accurate reports Community Partnerships Provide information and referral assistance regarding available support from appropriate social service agencies and/or community programs. Develop an effective, timely referral network in order to ensure ongoing direction and support. Increase relationships with landlords interested in partnering with the ministry to achieve optimal housing options Create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e. tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors and creditors). Serve as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants as well as between participants and neighbors. Attend bi-weekly Coordinated Entry Committee meetings Attend monthly TRI-Hic Meetings to network with community partners Sisters of Hope/Volunteers/Advocates Create interpersonal relationships with Sisters of Hope, Volunteers, and Advocates supporting all housing programs. Ensure that volunteers of all levels are aware of the organization’s goals and values. Collaboration with the Sisters of Hope Team Leads to ensure quality interactions with program participants.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$44,795.00 – $47,073.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Schedule:

8 hour shift

License/Certification:

Driver’s License (Preferred) Ability to

Commute:

Wilmington, NC 28412 (Required) Ability to

Relocate:

Wilmington, NC 28412: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location:

In person