Housing Advocate - Rapid Rehousing

Job Overview
The primary role of the Housing Advocate is to provide housing advocacy and case management services to survivors/victims of domestic violence and/or human trafficking. Case management, using a DV housing first approach, will include trauma- informed, survivor-centered approaches to housing stabilization, rebuilding self-esteem, develop essential life skills, and establish financial independence by supporting their goals to increase income and self-sufficiency. Additionally, as is required in state standards and best-practice models, domestic violence advocates will provide survivors and their children with counseling, risk assessment, safety planning, goal setting, resources, and referrals to other support services

Duties

• Complete coordinated intakes, assessments, and screenings to determine housing options and eligibility based on HUD and Connecticut State Department of Housing (DOH) guidelines.
• Complete survivor-centered, strengths-based housing plans that identify barriers to housing and set a path to housing stability; reviewed and updated monthly.
• Support in designing and implementing safety plans and housing risk assessments.
• Home visiting, safety permitting, at a minimum of once per month, with each survivor enrolled in the rapid rehousing program.
• Provide case management services focused on increasing income, accessing long- term housing subsidies, establishing and/or expanding family and community-based supports, and assisting in increasing access to mainstream services.
• Develop a relationship within the homeless service system.
• Assist in program development and quality assurance activities as directed by CCADV Director of Housing Advocacy.
• Assist survivors with locating available housing units, the leasing process, landlord mediation, and tenant/landlord rights and responsibilities.
• Submit requests for rental payments for survivors enrolled in the RRH program.
• Work with survivors to increase income, explore health insurance coverage and help those who are able to work to secure employment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Documentation

• Maintain accurate and up to date files and records to include required documentation and confidential case management notes.
• Assist with reporting, as needed
• Document all client and program data into database within 48 hours of contact.

Training & Professional Development

• Attend local CAN meetings.
• Participate in the annual Point-in-Time count.
• Attend monthly CCADV housing meetings.
• Participate in the RRH Case Conference team meetings weekly.
• Attend CCADV trainings and workshops related to housing.
• Maintain DV certification by receiving not less than six hours of in-service training in issues related to working with survivors of domestic violence / human trafficking.

Experience

• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Background in attaining housing for diverse population preferred.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of safety planning and survivor-centered advocacy as it relates to domestic violence survivors.
• Ability to maintain service records, complete records accurately and submit in a timely fashion in accordance with CCADV Program Standards.
• Willingness to learn how to navigate multiple systems including housing, health, employment, substance use disorder treatment and government benefits.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others, within the DV system and with outside providers, to develop creative solutions to difficult challenges.
• Fluency is Spanish required.

Pay: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• Survivor centered advocacy: 1 year (Preferred)
• Managing Housing: 2 years (Preferred)

Language:

• Spanish (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Norwalk, CT 06851

Salary : $50,000 - $55,000