Housing Support Specialist (Region III)

Who is CATCH?

Every Family. Every Person. A Home. A deep belief that everyone deserves stable and permanent housing is at the core of our culture. We end homelessness for families in Idaho’s Treasure Valley by inspiring stable housing, financial independence, and resilience. Each year, we co-create a new story for over 220 people, using a Housing First philosophy. In 2024, we housed 226 households experiencing homelessness.

It is the policy of CATCH to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race (including hairstyle/texture), color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. CATCH prohibits any such discrimination or harassment.

CATCH is committed to valuing differing experiences and encourages individuals with personal experiences to apply. Your lived experience can be regarded as equally important as professional work experience in our organization. A “lived expert” is someone who has direct, personal experience with the issues our organization addresses, such as overcoming challenges related to mental health, addiction, experiencing homelessness, or the carceral system. This valuable insight comes from first hand involvement rather than formal training, and it brings a unique and important perspective to our work.

The Opportunity

The Housing Support Specialist serves those experiencing literal homelessness in Region III (office based in Nampa, ID). The Housing Support Specialist works with individuals and families experiencing homelessness by performing housing assessments, as well as working with complex cases on a short-term basis,and de-escalating highly emotional situations. This position reports to the Region III Access Point Director.

Responsibilities

Direct Client Engagement – 45% of Time

• Demonstrates sensitivity, empathy regarding human service issues and projects a nonjudgmental attitude towards those requiring assistance.
• Interview participants and determine program/resources eligibility.
• Operate the Region III Housing Crisis Hotline by answering and returning calls, offering resources, and de-escalating situations as necessary.
• Assist clients with complex cases on a very short-term basis to manage their housing crisis, conduct Housing Assessments (over the phone and in person) with participants, and make referrals to community partners or resources.
• Maintains client confidentiality and protects client personal information at all times.
• Meets and greets clients, staff, agency stakeholders and the general public in a professional manner.
• When funding is available, support the Access Point Director in collecting necessary documentation for the Linda Fund, maintaining client files, and conducting housing inspections of potential units.
  
  

Documentation & Data Entry – 25% of Time

• Documents housing crisis line phone calls correctly into the computer tracking system according to procedure.
• Enter required data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Copies, scans, destroys and electronically files sensitive documents.
• Adheres to agency policy and procedures as established during training.
  
  

Administration and Collaboration – 20% of Time

• Participate with Housing Coalition committees as needed.
• Adheres to Agency policies and procedures
• Attend staff meetings and training.
• Attends bi-weekly Case Conferencing with Region partners and stakeholders.
• Engage local partners to create, strengthen, and repair referral pathways.
• Attend tabling events, conferences, and community presentations as a representative of the Region III Access Point.
  
  

Program Knowledge – 10%

• Develop a working understanding of Rapid Re-housing models, Housing First, Trauma Informed Care, Strengthening Families, Progressive Engagement, and Motivational Interviewing
• Consistently demonstrates knowledge and understanding of models through all aspects of client care.
  
  

Qualifications (Preferred Skills And Experience)

• A sincere passion for ending homelessness (Housing First programming a plus).
• Demonstrated knowledge of fair housing laws and practices.
• Experience or training in de-escalation, crisis intervention.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong problem solving and conflict resolution skills with a solution-oriented approach.
• Fluency with Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, database management, and other organizational competencies.
• Reliable transportation (for housing inspections).
• Strongly Preferred: Fluent in English and Spanish (additional compensation available for bilingual applicants)
• Preferred: Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent experience) in applicable fields such as social work, sociology, psychology, anthropology, etc.
  
  

What We Are Offering

• An opportunity to be a leader in growing an innovative and much-needed program.
• Work with a team that prides itself on its people-first culture, strategic alignment, and adoption of evidence-based practices.
• Competitive benefits package (100% of employee medical, vision, dental paid for by the organization)
• 32 hour work week
• Starting at $22/hr DOE