About us

We are a 501 C3 local non-profit based in Queens and Brooklyn providing services such as Emergency Food Programs and Homeless Shelter to families in need since 1984.

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Duties:
· Conducts the housing intake and housing assessment interviews for all new clients.

· Adheres to DHS timeframes for permanent housing placement.

· Assists with the completion of the housing portion of the initial service plan/independent living plan and any necessary revisions.

· Assists with the completion of housing reports and in gathering and organizing any statistics and demographic information requested by DHS.

· Presents workshops for clients to educate about the housing process and the skills needed to secure and maintain permanent housing such as budgeting and credit development and repair.

· Develops new housing resources and educates clients about available benefits such as subsidies and vouchers.

· Escorts clients to view apartments and other appointments as needed.

· Helps connect clients to the different public housing search resources such as Housing Connect, NYCHA, etc.

· Assists clients in moving into permanent housing by providing support such as attending lease signings, assisting with applications for one-shot deals, providing moving assistance, etc.

· Provides additional information and instruction on the skills required to secure and maintain permanent housing, such as how to create and maintain a household budget.

· Participate in housing meetings, case conferences, staff meetings, and other meetings/trainings as assigned.

· Documents all counseling, escorting, referral and discharge planning activities in CARES and client charts.

· Assist clients with housing applications.

· Prepare Housing Packages in HOMES and/or CURRENT and submit necessary forms to DHS.

· Maintain documentation of client progress in case records adhering to DHS contractual & regulatory standards.

· Coordinate services and communicate to team about clients’ housing progress along with participating in case reviews and case conferences.

· Properly document in CARES clients’ progress towards reaching permanency.

· Properly document in CARES interactions with clients.

· Develops and maintains relationships with landlords, realtors and brokers to connect clients to permanent housing opportunities.

· Participate in meetings, conferences and trainings as required.

· Keep abreast of developments within other agencies that benefit or affect housing assistance i.e., HRA, DHS and HPD.

· Assist Case Manager with bi-weekly unit inspections.

· Perform other duties as assigned by Program Director and Case Manager.

Experience:
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in housing or related field
- Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques and crisis management protocols
- Familiarity with property management practices and regulations
- Proficiency in conducting assessments and determining eligibility for housing programs
- Strong negotiation skills to secure suitable housing options for clients
- Experience in social work or a related field, with knowledge of motivational interviewing techniques
- Familiarity with CARES system is preferred
- Understanding of relevant laws and regulations pertaining to housing assistance programs

Skills:

- Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook.
- Negotiation: Ability to advocate for clients and negotiate suitable housing options with property management companies
- Social work: Knowledge of social work principles and practices, including case management and client advocacy
- Property management: Understanding of property management practices, including leasing, maintenance, and compliance
- Crisis management: Ability to effectively manage crisis situations that may arise during the housing process
- Motivational interviewing: Skill in using motivational interviewing techniques to engage clients in the housing process
- Law: Familiarity with relevant laws and regulations governing housing assistance programs such as LIHTC and Section 8

Please note that this is a general overview of the duties, experience, and skills required for the position of Housing Specialist. Additional responsibilities and qualifications may apply.
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Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $36,000.00 - $41,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Housing Specialist: 1 year (Preferred)

Language:

• English and Spanish (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Brooklyn, NY 11207 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Brooklyn, NY 11207: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person