Housing Specialist

ABOUT LIFEMOVES

LifeMoves is the largest and most effective provider of housing and services for neighbors experiencing homelessness in Silicon Valley since 1987. Our Mission is to end homelessness by providing interim housing, supportive services, and building collaborative partnerships. With 40 programs, LifeMoves gives our neighbors experiencing homelessness a temporary place to call home while providing intensive, customized case management through site-based programs and community outreach. 

POSITION PURPOSE

The Guadalupe Housing Specialist supports clients by connecting them to essential services, building support networks, facilitating activities, advocating for equitable access, and providing crisis intervention. The role also contributes to program improvement by identifying service gaps and strengthening community partnerships.Reporting to the Program Director and supported by the Education and Specialized Services Team, the Specialist provides expert guidance to clients and Case Managers on benefits, employment, and housing resources. They stay informed on policy updates, ensure accurate information sharing, and help maintain a safe, supportive program environment. Additional responsibilities include assisting with client check-ins, coordinating group activities, and promoting a positive community atmosphere that empowers clients to achieve their goals.

Open since May 2023, LifeMoves Guadalupe Emergency Interim Housing (EIH) is a welcoming, dignified, and safe interim housing community that offers a private unit for each household – including couples and single adults experiencing homelessness. With 96 rooms and ADA-compliant buildings for case management, educational workshops, dining, recreation, laundry, and even a pet area, LifeMoves Guadalupe EIH is a modern, comfortable place to temporarily call home. Through this purpose-built platform, we support our clients with tailored services that help them stabilize and empower them to return to self-sufficiency. LifeMoves Interim supportive Housing programs serve neighbors in time-based accommodations by providing more stability before their move to permanent housing and focusing on accommodations, meals, laundry, case management, and therapy. These sites are staffed 24/7 and this role provides oversight to staff on site and reports to the Director of Interim Supportive Housing.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement individualized case plans addressing housing, employment, benefits, and overall well-being goals.
• Assist clients with housing searches, job readiness, benefits access, and life skills development.
• Support enrollment in public assistance programs such as General Assistance, CalFresh, and CAPI.
• Coordinate with healthcare providers to meet clients’ physical and behavioral health needs.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with community organizations and public agencies (e.g., VA, APS, CPS).
• Serve as a liaison and advocate between clients, landlords, employers, and other partners to ensure successful outcomes.
• Provide mediation and conflict resolution while promoting fairness, respect, and advocacy for client rights.
• Maintain accurate case notes, data tracking, and reporting using HMIS and internal databases.
• Monitor client progress and program outcomes related to housing, employment, and community engagement.
• Provide crisis intervention and connect clients with emergency or specialized services as needed.
• Participate in case conferences, training sessions, and professional development activities to strengthen skills.
• Support daily site operations, including safety inspections, facility maintenance, and donation management.
• Conduct outreach with landlords and housing providers to expand housing opportunities for clients.
• Facilitate client-centered workshops and educational sessions focused on housing, employment, and life skills.
• Stay current on benefit, housing, and employment policies to train Case Managers and ensure clients receive accurate, up-to-date guidance.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent experience in peer advocacy, community outreach, or homelessness services.
• Demonstrates care, respect, empathy, and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) principles.
• Practices radical hospitality and maintains a respectful, non-judgmental approach toward individuals from all backgrounds.
• Effectively manages stress and emotions, applies de-escalation techniques, and maintains professionalism in high-pressure situations.
• Exhibits a growth mindset—open to feedback, eager to learn trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and harm reduction approaches.
• Works effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team, communicating clearly and seeking guidance when needed.
• Maintains accurate, unbiased, and timely documentation in line with agency and confidentiality standards.
• Demonstrates strong organizational skills, prioritizes tasks effectively, and takes initiative to support program operations.
• Uses email, databases, and Microsoft Office tools to manage case documentation, reporting, and communication efficiently.
• Advocates for equitable access to benefits, housing, and services; represents client interests with professionalism and persistence.
• Builds and sustains partnerships with service providers and agencies to expand resources and improve client outcomes.
• Leads client-centered groups or workshops and applies expertise in housing policy, benefits programs, and resource navigation.

COMPETENCIES

• Job Knowledge: Understands job duties and performs tasks with accuracy. 
• Commitment to Growth: Demonstrates a selfless commitment to others on the team, including activity-based dependability, self- improvement activities. Actively seeks opportunities to contribute at higher levels in service to LifeMoves and others on the team. 
• Performance Improvement: Sets performance goals, establishes the approach, creates a learning environment. 
• Time Management and Reliability: Manages workload effectively and meets deadlines. 
• Proactive Collaboration: Actively seeks opportunities to partner with colleagues across teams and functions. Shares knowledge, communicates openly, and anticipates needs to support collective goals. Builds trust by contributing ideas, offering assistance, and ensuring alignment to achieve results together. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is contingent upon:

• Satisfactory results of a background check
• Submitting proof of clear TB test results.  Results dated within 60 days prior to hire date are acceptable.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

N/A

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires regular travel between agency sites, community partner locations, client events, and meetings.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license, have reliable transportation, and maintain vehicle insurance per legal and agency standards.
• Travel throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is a routine part of the role.
• Mileage reimbursement is provided according to agency policy.
• Occasional evening or weekend travel may be needed for community events or client support activities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with internal and external individuals. The employee must frequently use hands or fingers and handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee must frequently stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities this position requires include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This rewarding role offers a competitive annual base salary and an opportunity to participate in the LifeMoves benefits package.

LifeMoves is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) committed to building a culturally diverse staff representing the communities we serve. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, physical or mental disability (non-disqualifying), sexual orientation, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, personal favoritism, lived experiences or any other non-merit-based factor.  Candidates who are bilingual/bi-cultural, of color, Native/Indigenous, with disabilities, who identify as LGBTQIA , or who are members of other marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply. We aim to create and sustain inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environments where everyone can thrive.

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of LifeMoves. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties, and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the job holder’s responsibility.

If you require a disability accommodation during the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department at (650) 685-5880.

Salary : $26 - $39