Senior Housing Specialist

Mission:

LGBT Life Center is a trusted leader that empowers the LGBTQ+ communities and all people affected by HIV through improving health and wellness, strengthening families and communities, and providing transformative education and advocacy.

Who We Are:

LGBT Life Center is a trusted leader serving Hampton Roads since 1989 (formerly known as CANDII House and

ACCESS AIDS

Care). We strengthen the LGBTQ+ community and individuals living with HIV through health and wellness services, supportive housing, food programs, education, and advocacy. Our work is rooted in community care, inclusion, and health equity. We are more than a service provider, we are a safe space, a connector, and a catalyst for change. Our team is made up of passionate individuals committed to harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and affirming, client-centered support. Whether through housing navigation, clinical services, or advocacy work, we are building a future where all LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV, especially those most impacted by systemic inequities, have access to the tools and resources they need to thrive.

Overview:

Reporting to the Housing Specialist Program Manager, the Housing Specialist works to provide housing opportunities for participants served by the LGBT Life Center. This position works directly with individuals in need of housing stabilization and ensures participants receive affirming services tailored to their needs. The Senior Housing Specialist contributes to the success of the LGBT Life Center by engaging in community systems to promote access to the services needed to be self-sufficient. The Housing Specialist will have or gain an understanding of all aspects of housing programs, staff and client responsibilities, program data and documentation requirements, timelines, and contract benchmarks. The HS will assist and provide supportive services to help ensure the clients secure and stabilize in new housing placements and address any issues or potential issues that could jeopardize their housing placement. The Housing Specialist will support and assist the client with initial new placement referrals, securing the housing placement, housing stabilization and retention as well as approved relocation if needed to provide a positive exit outcome.

Essential Job Functions:

• Have or gain an understanding of eligibility criteria, application, and compliance processes, building rules of all partner agencies, as well as the housing participation agreement and move in assistance programs.
• Support and assist clients as needed with current housing placement opportunity addressing housing barriers and housing stabilization.
• Provides excellent engagement with clients by meeting with them on a regular basis to obtain housing and on an ongoing basis as needed.
• Providing advocacy as needed for client with property management; to ensure a successful housing placement as well as responding property complaints, enquiries, and questions.
• Complete Annual review paperwork and unit inspection: assessing current income and any potential changes in rent and recalculate as needed for current year's subsidy and client portion of rent.

Interim reviews can be necessary if the client's income changes - increases/decrease, rent increase prior to the annual review. Determines that the unit continues to be safe, sanitary and without needed repairs.

• Assist Program Manager in completing annuals and renewals, reviewing packets completed by junior staff, and assist in the training and development of newer staff.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor client's adherence to program guidance.
• Complete participant intakes to determine initial eligibility and continuing eligibility for housing programs. Explains HUD and HCV rules, regulations, and procedures to program applicants, participants, landlords, and staff.
• Maintains individual files, including all written documentation related to essential functions such as case notes, services plan, assessment in accordance with funding sources and agency guidelines.
• Maintains meaningful involvement with clients, community partners, landlords, and housing systems.
• Provides accurate, complete, and timely data and reports to the department Managers as needed.
• Support the development of written and online tools and products, outreach materials, training materials, and presentations for technical assistance engagements as well as community stakeholders.
• Build strong, positive relationships with all internal and external project stakeholders for ongoing communication, collaborative planning, and shared problem solving.
• Records data for program outcomes and ensures client files are complete, accurate and frequently updated.
• Participates in Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data collection activities.
• Monitor progress through phone calls, site visits and effective case management appointments.
• Represents the organization at community Continuum of Care meetings as needed.

Participate in housing team meetings to ensure coordinated efforts are in place to continue stabilization of clients. Maintain on-going communication within the housing team to ensure client's needs are being met holistically. Conduct Housing Quality Standard (HQS) inspections, Basic Habitability inspections, and Lead Based inspections. Ensure that payments are completed and process for landlords, utility companies, and participants in a timely manner.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in health, human services, or related field, or at least 4 years of experience in housing, homelessness, coordinating youth services or related field. Individuals without completion of a bachelor's degree will be considered if demonstrated housing experience with a variety of

HUD, HOPWA, RRH

programs.

Job Knowledge and Skills :

This position requires knowledge of and sensitivity to target populations (LGBTQ+ communities, persons living with HIV, homeless populations, persons experiencing mental health concerns, persons experiencing substance use) along with the ability to work in both clinical and community environments. Requires a working understanding of harm reduction and Housing First principles within a Trauma Informed framework. Ability to work with multicultural and diverse populations required. Effective oral and written communication skills required. Excellent organizational, decision-making, problem-solving, and time-management skills are required to handle multiple activities related to program implementation. Computer knowledge should include Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook). Knowledge and experience working with HUD programs and HMIS experience preferred.

Physical Requirements:

Must have reliable transportation and acceptable driving record is required. This work requires the following physical activities: walking, sitting, hearing/seeing, talking in person or on the phone. Occasional walking, bending, standing and driving are needed. Work is performed in an office setting. Work is also performed in social and community settings, as necessary. Minimal to moderate lifting is required at times. Extended work schedule may apply to accommodate agency's needs. Successful candidates will have demonstrated the ability to work collaboratively with a variety of staff within the organization and our community partners. LGBT Life Center values individuals with strong work ethic and commitment to the mission. Excellent communication skills are necessary to work with team members and the people we serve. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, gender identities, ages, and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment. LGBT Life Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. www.lgbtlifecenter.org Black, Indigenous, People of color, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender Non-conforming people, and individuals of diverse backgrounds encouraged to apply.

Salary :

$46,500.00 annually.

Pay:

$42,500.00 per year

Benefits:

403(b) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person