What are the responsibilities and job description for the Housing Retention Specialist position at Lifting Up Westchester?
Summary
The Housing Retention Specialist has the important role of assisting men and women living in shelters to find housing they can afford in Westchester County and to work with them to reduce the likelihood of returning to shelters. The Specialist assesses an individual's budget and coaches on the importance of living within their means, locates housing based on income, and assists with documentation to secure housing. An important role is to identify housing opportunities and develop relationships with landlords. Once housed, the Housing Retention Specialist provides ongoing support by working with clients on short- and long-term goals and improving life skills. This includes identifying barriers that threaten self-sufficiency and promoting solutions to maintain independence (i.e. employment, access to medical and mental health services, landlord relations, and life skills). The HR specialist makes referrals as needed and supports each client up to one year, after being housed, depending on need.
Responsibilities
The Housing Retention Specialist has the important role of assisting men and women living in shelters to find housing they can afford in Westchester County and to work with them to reduce the likelihood of returning to shelters. The Specialist assesses an individual's budget and coaches on the importance of living within their means, locates housing based on income, and assists with documentation to secure housing. An important role is to identify housing opportunities and develop relationships with landlords. Once housed, the Housing Retention Specialist provides ongoing support by working with clients on short- and long-term goals and improving life skills. This includes identifying barriers that threaten self-sufficiency and promoting solutions to maintain independence (i.e. employment, access to medical and mental health services, landlord relations, and life skills). The HR specialist makes referrals as needed and supports each client up to one year, after being housed, depending on need.
Responsibilities
- Identify housing opportunities and develop relationships landlords throughout Westchester County.
- Track apartment resources and landlord contact information.
- Screen clients referred by shelter case managers.
- Examine the client's income and expenses so housing options best suit the client's current budget.
- Develop pre- and post-housing plans with clients.
- Assist with completing all paperwork for referred housing & support client throughout the process.
- Coordinate with landlords on rental amounts, lease length, & rules connected to the housing rental.
- Advocate for the client to create a path for the client's ongoing stability and independence.
- Coordinate and assist with move-in and set up of the new living arrangement.
- Make referrals to other agencies and services needed to stabilize housing and overall well-being.
- Support each housed client for six months to one year.
- Create and maintain a file for each client enrolled in the housing retention program.
- Enter case notes and services provided in the LUW database weekly.
- Maintain a caseload of approximately 20 clients at a time.
- Minimum of 4 years of experience providing case management or housing placement for the street/sheltered homeless populations.
- Must be able to create and form ongoing relationships with landlords and brokers to ensure reliable referrals for housing.
- A bachelor's degree is strongly preferred.
- Candidate must possess strong organizational skills and be able to manage multiple priorities.
- Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
- Basic computer skills including Word, Excel, and data entry required.
- Willing and able to visit and inspect living quarters, climb stairs, and drive clients to appointments in company vehicles.
- Must have strong basic math skills to assist clients by creating household budgets.
- Knowledge of Westchester County resources (preferred)
- Bilingual English/Spanish desirable
- Valid Driver's License Required.