Housing Specialist (45025)

CFH is seeking a Housing Specialist for its Shelter operated under contract with the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and, as a contract agency, has reporting responsibilities to DHS and is subject to inspections and audits by DHS, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Coalition for the Homeless of New York City.

SUMMARY: Managing and directing a comprehensive program of support, safety and success for residents that include housing, counseling, benefit entitlements, program placement, health and educational programs and comprehensive case management.

This employee will work as part of the Social Services team with the following essential duties and responsibilities:

• Conduct fieldwork to outreach and to identify new housing resources.
• Develop and maintain linkages with brokers, landlords, real estate companies, and management offices that lead to housing placements.
• Facilitate appointments and accompany residents to apartment viewings. This may include utilizing public transportation to and from appointments.
• Conduct housing inspections and complete/collect pre-clearance forms for clients who have been approved for apartments.
• Work with brokers/landlords to obtain required documentation for completion of subsidy packages.
• Meet residents regularly (biweekly, monthly, etc.) to assess, update, and schedule housing viewing opportunities.
• Maintain up-to-date housing case notes based on meeting with residents regularly. All notes should get entered into CARES/HOME.
• Assist clients with completing housing applications through NYC Housing Connect and other identified application portals.
• Work closely with social service team, DHS and HRA to expedite placements and make recommendations for successful moves.
• Assist the Director of Social Services and Shelter Director to ensure performance objectives, including placements goals for the number of residents rehoused, are met.
• Work with all DHS and HRA staff to ensure client housing needs are being addressed in a timely and thoughtful manner.
• Responsible for completion and submission of HRA-2010E applications.
• Coordinating housing contracts, referrals and follow-up to service providers including, but not limited to DHS.
• Adhering to DHS timeframes for permanent housing placements.
• Attend required DHS meetings.
• Having flexible work hours to meet the needs of the clients (ex. Working at least two late nights or more if needed).
• Conduct workshops for residents on the housing search, application, and interview process on an as needed basis.
• Teach the residents how to advocate for themselves when seeking permanent housing in the community.
• Conduct quarterly workshops for landlords/brokers on housing subsidies changes as needed.
• Assist with resident move outs which includes lifting, loading and unloading residents’ property.
• Assist with shelter audit and compliance including preparing for State, City and other inspections (DHS, OTDA and Callahan).
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Social Services and/or Shelter Director.
  
  

Qualifications

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
  
  

Experience

• Two (2) plus years’ experience working as a housing Specialist. Working with housing vouchers and entitlements.
• Two (2) plus years’ experience working with mentally ill, medically frail or homeless population.
• Exceptional knowledge of regional housing, supportive housing, Section 8 and other rental assistance programs
  
  

Skill Sets

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Strong PC skills including Word & Excel
  
  

Languages

• Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.