A Social or Human Services Specialist identifies and arranges community services for clients. Can involve coordination of services for people with disabilities or those in recovery. They may also coordinate housing or job training assistance for immigrants, veterans, former inmates or families in crisis and can be involved in advocating for client needs.
Identify and coordinate the entire housing process for families experiencing homelessness: including locating housing, performing inspections, matching client need to housing options, coordinating and supervising moves, and ongoing housing inspections. Generates and manages housing leads to grow the landlord network through landlord visits and cultivation. Ensure housing options are fully compliant with grants. Maintains detailed records on housing status, landlord recruitment, housing inspections, and financial assistance.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Clearly articulate Safe Haven's mission, goals and value proposition to landlords and community stakeholders. Actively generate and qualify new housing leads for Safe Haven families Recruits new individuals/companies to Safe Haven's landlord network, through ongoing landlord cultivation, encouraging them to become "preferred landlords". Maintain landlord relationships through ongoing communications, resolution of client issues, and ongoing inspection to ensure properties are taken care of, and prompt customer service. Ensure adequate rental units are available for Safe Haven clients, in order to move families quickly from shelter/homelessness into appropriate housing (agency goal: 100 families housed in a twelve-month period). Meet families as soon as they become Safe Haven clients to discuss housing program, assess housing barriers, and begin making a housing plan. Provide transportation for families to view and approve possible housing placements in agency vehicle. Interact with clients according to a trauma-informed care framework. Understand the needs of Safe Haven's clients and be able to effectively advocate for housing needs. Match client's needs and goals to available units, taking into account client's preference for unit type, safety of area, housing conditions, and proximity to employment opportunities. Track housing updates for each client on salesforce, regularly updating information to ensure that program team is able to daily track client housing progress. Coordinate and assist with housing placements for homeless families including utility set up, moving and other necessities. Provide ongoing advice, expertise, consultation and technical assistance to program director and case managers on housing matters. Serves as a liaison between Safe Haven and other housing agencies, providers and landlords/property managers on all matters related to housing. Work with and advise Safe Haven to ensure program and provider compliance with all applicable Federal and local housing regulations, laws and standards. Perform administrative duties related to paperwork and documentation for all housing programs and grants, ensuring full compliance related to housing. Key performance metrics tracked monthly include: # of qualified housing leads, # of landlords housing one or more clients, landlord satisfaction, and # of clients housed. Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree in relevant field. 2 years' related experience (housing advocacy, sales/negotiation skills, etc.). Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with attention to detail, required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work Environment:
Office setting and out in community. Must be able to sit / stand for 8 hours. Walking, bending, lifting up to 50 lbs. Must be able to travel to community service providers, housing and property, and to families in need. Ability to drive agency vehicles including 15-passenger van and large truck.
