Description

The Housing Specialist is responsible for orienting all eligible participants to the program and providing housing search and supportive services to promote participants self-sufficiency, integration into the community, and permanency in housing; performing administrative tasks involved in the review and maintenance of a caseload of program participants. The principal duties are performed both in a general office environment and in the field and community where program participants reside.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assess housing barriers of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to determine housing and service needs.
• Develop a housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with clients. This shall include intake interview to determine client’s needs, goals, and eligibility.
• Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client’s behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and or maintain housing.
• Assist participants in locating and securing housing of their choice.
• 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.
• Provide information and referral assistance regarding available support from appropriate social service agencies and/or community programs.
• Assist in development of and encourage adherence to a personal budget through pro-active 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.
• Assist participants in development of a strength-based/solution-focused individualized goal and action plan that promotes permanent housing and self-sufficiency; develop an effective, timely referral network in order to ensure ongoing direction and support as needed.
• Identify participant strengths and barriers to stability and assist participants to reducing barriers and linking to resources and services.
• Provide pro-active 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.
• Apply knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate clients of their rights and responsibilities.
• Transport clients as deemed necessary. Transportation requirements should be limited to housing and job searches and occasional visit to relevant social service agencies.
• Collect and report program data, including but not limited to HMIS reporting and funders’ required data

Requirements

Education –

• High school diploma or GED required.

Experience –

• 2 years’ work experience providing direct care in healthcare

Regulatory –

• Minimum 21 years of age.
• Clean criminal background check and the ability to obtain and maintain an AZ DPS Level 1 fingerprint clearance card.
• Current valid, unrestricted driver’s license, proof of insurance, and a driving record that meets the standards of the agency.
• CPR & First Aid preferred, not required.

Easterseals Blake Foundation is an EEO/AA/Vet/Disabled Employer