Housing Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Housing Specialist works with the MUTEH Homeless Programs Team to get clients document ready and prepare clients to receive services that will assist the participant to gain and maintain permanent housing in an integrated community setting with supportive services. The Housing Specialist provides a variety of office and field activities to manage and monitor the housing of individuals and performs direct client services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Prepare and maintain required charting and documentation in a timely and thorough manner. Adhere to client confidentiality requirements and standards. Assess housing barriers of individuals and families experiencing homelessness and work with special homeless populations to determine housing and service needs. Conduct and complete Housing Quality inspections. Coordinate with Housing Assistants and Case Managers to ensure timely inspections and re-inspections. Coordinate with local resources to identify available and affordable units. Accommodate landlords working with the program to ensure stability for the clients and an ongoing partnership between the landlord and MUTEH. Facilitate and mediate communication with assigned clients and landlords as needed. Assist in developing and maintaining a list of housing providers and relationships with housing providers in counties covered by MUTEH's programs. Assist participants in securing and completing leasing applications. Ensure that participants' needs are responded to in a timely manner. Assist participants to coordinate their move-in, access furniture, and utilities set-up as required by their lease. Coordinate Quality Assurance Inspections. Input accurate and complete weekly case notes for each participant within MUTEH's HMIS database. Monitor residents' compliance with program guidelines and provide appropriate verbal and written warning to those residents who are out of compliance. Maintain all files to include conversations, warnings, progress towards goals and documentation of any incidents in a confidential manner and in compliance with VA, HUD and MUTEH's standards. Works in collaboration with all other agencies, VA and property management staff to facilitate a team environment. Facilitate accuracy and consistency with the agency's fiscal and billing procedures. Develop relationships with representatives in other agencies to support individuals attaining services such as utility assistance, furniture, food boxes, etc. Participate in weekly supervisory and/or staff meetings, training and development opportunities as determined appropriate by the program coordinator. Participate in annual CoC Point in Time (PIT) count. Other duties as assigned by Team Lead and/or Deputy Director.

QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY COMPETENCIES

An Associate's Degree, or a minimum of two (2) years case management experience is preferred. Experience working with homeless population(s) is helpful. As the housing efforts span a number of counties in MUTEH's coverage area, this position requires regular travel in personal and/or agency vehicles. Housing Specialists must have a valid driver's license, their own personal vehicle and proof of personal vehicle insurance. Strong and timely documentation and assessment skills. Ability to work with diverse populations and be able to meet clients in their homes. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines consistently. Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. Demonstrate maturity and professionalism even in stressful situations. Compassion for people who are struggling with a variety of challenges, including homelessness, mental health, and/or substance abuse. Act with integrity; exercise appropriate discretion and maintain confidentiality of information. Ability to manage competing priorities effectively.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is: Regularly required to sit and talk or hear. Frequently required to walk. Regularly required to stand, walk up and down steps, and drive significant distances on a weekly basis. Regularly lifts and/or moves up to 5-10 pounds and on occasion up to 70 pounds. Frequently uses equipment such as telephones, computers and printers.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$16.38 per hour

Benefits:

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

Work Location:

In person