Housing Specialist - Shelter Services

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF NEW YORK

POSITION: Housing Specialist

REPORTS TO: Assistant Director/Shelter Director

LOCATION: Emergency Hotel

CLASSIFICATION: Full Time

STATUS: Non-Exempt Salaried

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: 
The Housing Specialist provides assistance, information and support to clients in an effort to find safe, appropriate housing as well as seeking and utilizing available resources and grants. The Housing Specialist promotes clients’ self-sufficiency, integration in the community and permanency in housing.
This is a 24-hour program. The Housing Specialist is classified as an essential worker and as such, accepts responsibility for the completion of their critical services to clients, on site, even during times of emergency. These include, but are not limited to, emergencies caused by weather, nationwide pandemics, civil unrest, and domestic threat.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:
•    Assesses clients' eligibility in determining their housing and service needs.
•    Identifies and seeks to eliminate housing barriers including performing budget counseling.
•    Assists clients with the search for available properties and negotiating terms on behalf of client.
•    Supports skill development for successful searching, documentation submission process, interviewing and interaction for viable housing placement.
•    Serves as an advocate against discrimination due to clients’ immigration status, nationality, religious beliefs or otherwise.
•    Collaborates with government agencies, community organizations and property owners.
•    Develops, cultivates, and maintains housing resources which includes establishing relationships with landlords and brokers.
•    Ensures that clients understand their rights and responsibilities as tenants.
•    Investigates and resolves client and landlord issues.
•    Provides information and refers clients to additional support programs or services.
•    Transports clients when needed to open houses/apartment viewings and/or lease signings.  
•    Prepares and maintains daily logs, records, and activity documentation.
•    Ensures compliance with funder expectations and goals related to housing searches.
•    Understands and adheres to program rules and restrictions.
•    Hosts on-site housing-ready workshops.
•    Assists with the closure of cases.
•    Completes pro-active follow up home visits to ensure stability and further progress towards self-sufficiency; this includes support, advocacy, reducing isolation, listening, problem solving and identification of resources to assist with integration of clients into the community.
•    Helps clients explore potential family members and/or sponsors within the United States and coordinates those connections utilizing DHS support. 
•    Works collaborative with Case Manager and other program staff towards housing permanency goals.
•    Performs other duties, as assigned.

SUPERVISES:
•    No

QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION:
•    Minimum High School diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE:
•    At least 1 year of experience working within the Human Service Field; 2 years of experience preferred.
•    Related to or experience with individuals, immigrants, asylum seekers and the homeless population, preferred.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:
•    Knowledge and belief in the “Housing First” philosophy and strategies.
•    Knowledgeable about the New York City housing market, entitlement programs, social service agencies and community services, including current housing subsidies and public benefits programs. 
•    Knowledge of regulatory standards and property management.
•    Good communication, interpersonal and listening skills.
•    Strong analytical, mediating and negotiation skills.
•    Excellent organizational and case management skills with ability to manage multiple caseloads from different sites.
•    Sensitive to intersectionality, different cultures, housing equality and a demonstrated ability to work within a social/racial justice framework. 
•    Creative thinker/adaptive personality.
•    Commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems.
•    Conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change.
•    Ability to establish and set appropriate limits with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence.
•    Ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers or professionals.
•    Capacity to maintain a role to empower clients and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals. 
•    Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
•    Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word and Excel).  
•    Knowledge of CARES plus. 

Salary : $45,000