Overview

At The New York Foundling, we trust in the power and potential of people, and we deliberately invest in proven practices. From bold beginnings in 1869, our New York-based nonprofit has supported hundreds of thousands of our neighbors on their own paths to stability, strength, and independence. We help children and families navigate through and beyond foster care. We help families struggling with conflict and poverty grow strong. We help individuals with developmental disabilities live their best lives, and we help our neighbors access quality health and mental health services—core to building lifelong resilience and wellbeing. Together, our interrelated programs provide a whole-person, whole-family, and whole-life approach that unlocks solutions for a lifetime.

Housing Specialists assist young people, youth w/children, case planners, coaches, and other staff in conducting specialized and targeted tasks that will help young adults identify and achieve their housing goals.

Responsibilities

Duties include but are not limited to:

Support Youth & Young Adults:

• Work with youth and young adults to identify housing goals, provide housing options, develop a housing plan with a timeline.

• Work with youth and young adults one-to-one and in group settings to ensure housing readiness - i.e. obtaining necessary documentation.

• Assist the youth and young adults in filling out the housing applications in various housing databases - i.e. completion of 201OE packets (NYNY III/15), NYCHA, Section etc.

• Identify entitlements and assist youth/young adult with benefit applications.

• Accompany youth to housing and benefits appointments, as necessary.

• Accompany clients on housing searches, as necessary.

• Coordinate a move based on the client's transition plan from foster home placement or shelter to affordable, permanent housing within the desired time frame.

• Identify and remediate barriers to permanent housing.

• Help the client mobilize resources to facilitate moving to permanent housing.

• Prepare youth & young adults for housing interviews.

• Facilitates the collection and distribution of required documentation for each housing opportunity as required.

Support Staff:

• Plan and present housing readiness workshops/resources for staff when requested.

• Function as a housing resource for clients in foster care ages 17 and be a resource to staff who may have questions around housing resources.

Support Stakeholders:

• Develop relationships with landlords and realtors within NYC boroughs.

• Become expert in NYC housing opportunities for youths aging out of the Child Welfare system and need transition/permanent/stable housing

• Liaison between OHS, HRA, DHS, Section 8, NYCHA, ACS, internal case planning and Fair Futures team to ensure that all necessary documentation is obtained for housing application.

Support Administration:

• Attend all Fair Futures trainings.

• Update case files concerning all housing related activities in the Care4 Platform & Connections.

• Maintain data/statistical tracking information regarding referrals, rejections, applications and support services to the permanent housing placements, as well as the timely submission of all required program reports as mandated by agency policy

• Complete all Supportive Housing applications in the CAPS system successfully,

• Performs other duties or assignments as needed assigned by Supervisor.

Salary Range

$51,000-$58,3000

Qualifications

Qualifications/Necessary Skills:

· Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology or Sociology

· Minimum of three (3) years of experience working in a social service or housing agency

· Counseling experience and knowledge of NYC housing options for youths aging out of foster care and low-income housing programs.

· Ability to work with diverse population.

· Must have good verbal and written communication skills

· Ability to remain calm under pressure and work well with people

· Good judgment and problem-solving ability

· Excellent computer skills

· Bilingual Spanish/English highly desirable

· Ability to work from a strengths-based, trauma-informed, youth development lens

· Compassionate, warm, empathetic

· A love for working with young people

· Strong ability to related to young people, engage them in conversation, and provide support and encouragement

Organizational Requirements:

· Regular and punctual time and attendance, and adherence to The Foundling’s and you department’s specific time and attendance policies and protocol.

· Consistent demonstrated commitment to The Foundling’s BHAG, mission, vision and values (Compassion, Dignity, Family and Community, Diversity, Excellence).

· Adherence to The Foundling’s employee policies, Code of Conduct and applicable rules, laws, regulations or bargaining agreements.

· Any other duties and/or tasks that may be assigned.

Salary Range: $51,000/year-$58,3000/year

The New York Foundling is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse employee population, the Foundling will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

Education Required