Housing Specialist, Santa Cruz

About Bill Wilson Center:

Bill Wilson Center provides services to children, youth, young adults, and families in Santa Cruz County and Santa Clara County. Additionally, we reach clients through our street outreach and crisis line programs. Bill Wilson Center programs focus on housing, mental health care, supportive services, and advocacy. Bill Wilson Center is committed to working with the community to ensure that every youth has access to the range of services needed to grow to be healthy and self-sufficient adults. A key component of Bill Wilson Center's philosophy encompasses a strength-based approach to improving the lives of the youth and young families in our communities. Bill Wilson Center has been providing services to run away and homeless youth since 1973. Join us and become a difference maker at Bill Wilson Center!

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Housing Specialist connects program youth to stable housing and vital community resources. This role balances landlord relations—including the oversight of rental payments—with the goal of empowering clients to manage their own financial obligations. Working alongside direct service staff, the Housing Specialist ensures that housing is not only secured but retained through client independence and effective resource navigation.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Proactively identify and recruit a diverse portfolio of landlords and property management companies willing to work with subsidized programs.

• Conduct initial and annual Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections to ensure units meet HUD safety and health requirements.

• Review leases to ensure compliance with program standards and negotiate rental rates to ensure units meet "Rent Reasonableness" criteria.

• Assist participants in identifying potential housing options that align with their specific needs, budget, and geographic preferences.

• Act as the primary point of contact for landlords to address concerns, resolve conflicts, and educate them on the benefits of the housing program..

• Intervene in tenant-landlord disputes to prevent evictions and maintain positive community partnerships.

• Determine initial and ongoing rental subsidy amounts based on participant income and program-specific formulas with the Program Manager.

• Ensure all property owners submit required documentation (W-9s, HAP agreement) prior to client move in

• Maintain comprehensive and accurate "Housing Files" for each participant, including HQS reports, Lead-Based Paint disclosures, and Rent Reasonableness certifications.

• Meet weekly with TH-RRH Case Managers to align housing searches with the participant’s needs.

• Work with participants on "housing readiness" skills, such as understanding lease terms, tenant rights, and budgeting for utility payment

• Complete case note documentation in AWARDS and HMIS in a timely basis

• Attend agency and other program meetings as appropriate.

• Must be able to communicate effectively, get along with coworkers and management and deal effectively and professionally under pressure

• Transport clients to view listings as needed and be available to go with clients to view housing opportunities

• Participate in all meetings and training sessions as required

• Participate in agency Program Quality Improvement activities and initiatives

• Participate in agency Safety initiatives and proactively report safety issues to management immediately.

• Additional duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Knowledge of housing availability in Santa Cruz County and Santa Clara County required.  Relationships with landlords/apartments/etc highly desired. Experience working with a culturally diverse population. .

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge of the Santa Cruz county homeless youth community and LGBTQ community

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Must be efficient and organized

• Knowledge of fair housing and tenant related laws.

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills; integrity; respect for confidentiality; ability to work with diverse populations, including persons with various disabilities

• Ability to analyze and prioritize complex situations, policies and procedures, laws and regulations and exercise good judgment in the course of completing required duties.

• Regular attendance and punctuality are required.

• Comprehend and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

• Computer skills such as word processing, spreadsheets, email management, internet navigation, and operating system navigation required.

• Excellent communication skills required.

• Bi-lingual English/Spanish speakers are highly desired.

• Fingerprint/background check and TB test required.

• Travel for agency meetings, trainings, accounting/financial needs, etc.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Driving is a requirement of the job (valid California driver's license with access to a personal vehicle that can be used for company business and current personal automobile insurance).  Fingerprinting/background check as required by the Department of Justice and/or Title XXII regulations. 

Physical Demands:

• Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time.

• Ability to move around the property, office, and stairs.

• Ability to move items up to 15lbs when necessary.

Work Environment:

• The noise level is usually moderate.

• Shared office space.

• Office located in same building as client temporary housing

• Will be working independently as well as in a team

Salary Range:

$24.00 - $27.00 per hour.

Employee Benefits & Perks:

We offer a generous compensation package for full-time employees that includes the following:

• 4 Weeks Accrued PTO

• 14 Paid Holidays Per Year

• Paid Health, Dental, Vision & Voluntary Life Insurance Plans

• Flexible Spending Plans for Medical, Dependent Care, Parking and Transit

• 401 (K) Retirement Plan

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program

• Upward Career Mobility 

• Discounts and Savings through Tickets At Work and LifeMart  

EEO:

Bill Wilson Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. Because of a need to remain responsive to the needs of our clients and our Agency’s operations, responsibilities may be modified at any time.

Salary : $24 - $27