HOUSING SPECIALIST/INSPECTOR

Department: Housing / Supportive Services / HOPWA
Reports To: Housing Director
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt or Exempt, based on organizational classification
Position Type: Full-Time
Location: Miami, Florida

Position Summary

The Housing Specialist/Inspector is responsible for coordinating housing-related services for eligible clients participating in housing assistance programs, including but not limited to HOPWA. This position assists clients with obtaining and maintaining safe, stable, and affordable housing; conducts eligibility screenings and recertifications; coordinates housing inspections; serves as a liaison between clients, landlords, case managers, and the City of Miami; and ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and program-specific requirements.

The Housing Specialist/Inspector plays a critical role in supporting housing stability, client retention in care, and overall health outcomes by ensuring that clients are connected to appropriate housing resources, documentation is complete and timely, and housing units meet applicable standards for safety and habitability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Coordination and Compliance

1. Coordinates with the City of Miami and other applicable funding or oversight entities regarding client eligibility, approvals, housing assistance, changes in household composition, income updates, rental adjustments, terminations, and other program-related matters.
2. Ensures compliance with applicable HOPWA policies and program standards, agency policies, and all federal, state, and local housing requirements.
3. Upholds and follows policies and procedures outlined in the HOPWA Policies and Procedures Manual and Empower “U” Community Health Center’s internal policies.
4. Prepares, submits, and tracks required client packages for City approval, including move-in, move-out, rental assistance, recertification, and termination documentation.
5. Computes utility allowances, tenant rent portions, and housing assistance payments in accordance with program requirements.
6. Maintains an active caseload as assigned by the Program Manager and ensures that all client services are documented in accordance with agency and funding source standards.
7. Begins the recertification process at least 120 days prior to the expiration of the client’s certification period to ensure continuity of housing assistance.
8. Conducts income verification, eligibility determinations, and annual recertifications in accordance with City, HOPWA, Ryan White, and agency requirements.

Housing Inspections and Unit Monitoring

1. Coordinates and conducts housing inspections for clients moving into, moving out of, or currently residing in assisted housing units.
2. Arranges and monitors annual housing inspections and special inspections requested by clients, landlords, case managers, or program leadership.
3. Requests emergency inspections when housing conditions are unsafe, hazardous, or potentially noncompliant.
4. Conducts exit walk-throughs to document unit condition and assist with the return of security deposits to the client and/or City of Miami, when applicable.
5. Conducts quarterly home visits to monitor housing stability, assess the condition of the housing unit, and assist clients in reviewing or updating their housing stability plan.
6. Documents inspection findings, deficiencies, corrective actions, client concerns, landlord issues, and follow-up activities in the client record.

Client Services and Housing Stability

1. Screens, certifies, and recertifies prospective and current clients for entry into or continuation in housing assistance programs within required program timeframes.
2. Conducts initial housing stability assessments and develops housing stability plans in coordination with the client’s Ryan White Medical Case Manager or other assigned care team members.
3. Provides program orientation to clients, including program rules, participant expectations, client rights and responsibilities, grievance procedures, housing obligations, and applicable City and agency requirements.
4. Assists clients with identifying suitable housing options and understanding lease requirements.
5. Reviews leases for compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and program standards.
6. Maintains monthly contact with clients to confirm continued occupancy, housing stability, general well-being, and positive relationships with landlords and neighbors.
7. Serves as a liaison between the client and Medical Case Manager to support continued housing stability, access to care, and connection to needed support services.
8. Maintains comprehensive knowledge of community resources and applies that knowledge to client needs, referrals, and housing stabilization efforts.

Landlord Coordination

1. Meets with property owners, landlords, and prospective landlords to explain federal and local HOPWA rules, program requirements, required paperwork, inspection expectations, and landlord participation responsibilities.
2. Secures written landlord agreements to participate in applicable housing programs, when appropriate.
3. Assists clients and landlords with resolving housing-related concerns, disputes, maintenance issues, lease concerns, or program compliance matters.
4. Serves as a liaison between landlords, clients, Empower “U” Community Health Center, and the City of Miami HOPWA program.
5. Negotiates or assists with rental agreement discussions to help ensure housing arrangements are appropriate, compliant, and sustainable.

Investigations, Documentation, and Reporting

1. Investigates alleged program rule violations, misuse, abuse, or noncompliance involving clients, landlords, or other involved parties.
2. Prepares chronological summaries, supporting documentation, and recommendations regarding continuation, corrective action, or termination from the program when rule violations occur.
3. Maintains accurate and timely progress notes, progress reviews, inspection documentation, eligibility records, recertification documents, and supporting records in accordance with agency policies, program guidelines, and performance standards.
4. Supports billing and reporting requirements through concurrent documentation of services provided, budget activities, and reconciliation across applicable data systems, including but not limited to Provide, EPIC, and client records.
5. Reports changes in client household composition, income, rental assistance, eligibility status, and termination status to the City of Miami and other required entities.

Contact Responsibility

This position requires frequent and important contact with clients, landlords, City of Miami representatives, internal staff, Medical Case Managers, community partners, vendors, and other external stakeholders. Professional communication, confidentiality, diplomacy, and sound judgment are required at all times.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Associate’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Health, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a related field is required.

Experience

A minimum of two years of experience in housing services, case management, social services, inspections, homeless services, HOPWA, Ryan White, public health, community health, or a closely related role is required.

Experience working with vulnerable populations, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, individuals experiencing housing instability, low-income households, or medically underserved populations is strongly preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Knowledge of housing assistance programs, HOPWA, Ryan White supportive services, rental assistance, eligibility documentation, and recertification processes.
2. Ability to conduct housing inspections, home visits, and client assessments in a professional and objective manner.
3. Strong understanding of confidentiality, client rights, trauma-informed service delivery, and culturally competent care.
4. Ability to calculate rent portions, utility allowances, and housing assistance amounts accurately.
5. Strong documentation, case note, reporting, and file maintenance skills.
6. Ability to work effectively with clients, landlords, government agencies, case managers, and internal leadership.
7. Strong verbal and written communication skills.
8. Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain compliance with program timeframes.
9. Ability to identify housing risks, safety concerns, program violations, and client stabilization needs.
10. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems.
11. Familiarity with Provide, EPIC, or similar client management systems preferred.
12. Ability to travel locally for inspections, home visits, landlord meetings, and community-based activities.

Physical Requirements

This position requires constant hearing, speaking, and telephone communication. Frequent sitting, driving, in-person communication, and computer use are required. Occasional walking, standing, bending, and entering residential units may be required. Work is performed in both an office setting and in the community, including client homes and rental properties.

Other Duties

1. Participates in health center development activities, trainings, meetings, audits, and quality improvement initiatives as requested.
2. Maintains required trainings, certifications, and competency requirements.
3. Performs other duties as assigned.

Legal and Compliance Statement

Empower “U” Community Health Center is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws. Employment may be subject to background screening, reference checks, exclusion checks, and other requirements applicable to health care, federally funded programs, and client-serving positions.

All employees are expected to maintain confidentiality, uphold ethical standards, comply with organizational policies, and support the mission of Empower “U” Community Health Center.

Must be able to pass a Level I and Level II Background check as required. https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Empower U Community Health Center is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law.