What are the responsibilities and job description for the ACT Housing Specialist position at Hillcrest Children & Family Center?
Position Summary
The Housing Specialist is an integral member of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, responsible for assisting individuals with serious mental illness in obtaining and maintaining safe, affordable, and stable housing in the community. This role emphasizes direct service, collaboration with landlords and housing providers, and integration of housing supports into individualized treatment plans. The Housing Specialist promotes recovery and independence through evidence-based supportive housing practices, ensuring that housing needs are addressed as part of the comprehensive ACT model.
Key Responsibilities
Housing Support & Advocacy
The Housing Specialist is an integral member of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, responsible for assisting individuals with serious mental illness in obtaining and maintaining safe, affordable, and stable housing in the community. This role emphasizes direct service, collaboration with landlords and housing providers, and integration of housing supports into individualized treatment plans. The Housing Specialist promotes recovery and independence through evidence-based supportive housing practices, ensuring that housing needs are addressed as part of the comprehensive ACT model.
Key Responsibilities
Housing Support & Advocacy
- Assist clients in identifying, applying for, and securing permanent, independent housing aligned with client preferences.
- Provide ongoing support to maintain housing, including landlord mediation, lease education, budgeting, and tenancy skill development.
- Educate clients about their rights and responsibilities as tenants.
- Support transitions between housing placements and prevent homelessness through proactive intervention.
- Integration with ACT Services
- Collaborate with ACT team members to ensure housing stability is integrated into recovery planning.
- Participate in daily team meetings and treatment planning sessions to coordinate housing-related interventions with clinical and rehabilitative services.
- Serve as a consultant to the team regarding housing issues, landlord engagement, and community housing resources.
- Establish and maintain strong working relationships with local landlords, property managers, housing authorities, shelters, and supportive housing providers.
- Identify community housing resources, rental assistance programs, and subsidies available to clients.
- Advocate for clients with community agencies to expand housing opportunities for individuals with behavioral health challenges.
- Maintain timely and accurate documentation of housing services within the electronic health record (EHR).
- Track housing stability outcomes and contribute to fidelity monitoring, quality improvement, and reporting requirements.
- Ensure compliance with DBH, Medicaid, and other regulatory standards regarding housing supports.
- Provide individual and group training to clients in areas such as budgeting, home maintenance, communication with landlords, and navigating rental systems.
- Deliver psychoeducation to clients and families about the role of stable housing in recovery.
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, or related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
- At least two years of experience in housing case management, property management, supportive housing services, or related behavioral health settings.
- Knowledge of evidence-based supportive housing models and familiarity with local housing resources, landlord/tenant laws, and rental assistance programs.
- Strong communication, advocacy, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience working with individuals with serious mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and complex social needs.
- Proficiency in EHR documentation and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for community-based services.