GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Housing Liaison position is a responsible position that involves program support service. This position assist consumers with housing in accordance with an individual treatment or community transition plan to maximize adjustment and functioning within the community. The purpose of this position is to reduce burden on current direct service staff to resolve housing crisis issues. It is expected that the work of this position will improve client outcomes for those clients who experience multiple barriers to housing, improve institutional knowledge around housing resources, and leverage the existing strengths of the agency to implement effective outreach and engagement of clients experiencing housing crisis. This position will be responsible to access specialized training and support while creating a powerful network to assist with resolving housing related problems in the community. This position entails a working knowledge of housing, employment, utilities, and housing first approaches to assisting consumers to achieve stable housing. The person in this position must have the knowledge and ability to work with criminal justice system involved persons in these areas.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Work may include, but is not limited to, the following examples:

• Meet with clients to record and assess housing needs and challenges
• Practice Housing First, harm reduction and other low-barrier service delivery models.
• Attend local Continuum of Care meetings related to coordinated entry/case conferencing.
• Outreach to individuals who are not currently engaged in services who are in housing crisis or experiencing homelessness.
• Refer and transport (as needed) individuals to initial appointments to establish services for employment, behavioral health, substance use, physical health, or other mainstream benefits. E
• Landlord recruitment and rapport building. Directly contact potential landlords and provide information and make referrals to their units. Follow up with landlords about referrals and problem solve tenant issues to maintain rapport.
• Receive referrals from Continuum of Care programs to assist individuals with housing stability.
• Assist with the moving on process and meet with tenants to evaluate their readiness to move on to other permanent housing options.
• Identifies clients' eligibility for employment programs and benefits and explains requirement of available services.
• Develops resources both at the program site and in the community.
• Conducts presentations to explain housing programs and services.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of consumer and community engagement related to housing.
• Other duties as required.

EXAMPLES OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of housing opportunities and programs available in area.
• Knowledge of the labor market and employment requirements for persons in a variety of occupations.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of vocational guidance, counseling, housing and job placement.
• Ability to interpret housing data and requirements and possess the ability to convey this information to others.
• Ability to work with landlords, transitional housing resources, recovery support providers, employers, and consumers.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Skill in placing consumers in housing and employment
• Ability to maintain appropriate records

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

1. Minimum experience will be three years of work experience in housing services community support, counseling;

OR

1. Work experience may be substituted with a specialized degree or certification in the field of guidance, counseling, or housing development.

Necessary Special Qualifications

• No candidate may be considered for employment who is, or has been for the past two (2) years under the supervision of Federal, State, County or Municipal Corrections Department nor have any pending felony or misdemeanor charges other than minor traffic charges.
• Driving may be required for this position. The successful candidate must have and remain in possession of a valid current driver's license, automobile insurance, and be insurable under the agency's motor vehicle insurance policy.
• All candidates for employment must meet the established minimum qualifications for employment as identified by the applicable regulatory agencies