Housing Specialist

Job Summary:

The Housing Specialist is responsible for supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness in securing and maintaining stable, affordable, and subsidized housing. This role focuses on housing identification, client assessment, landlord engagement, and coordination of housing placement services. Working collaboratively with case managers, outreach teams, and shelter staff, the Housing Specialist helps remove barriers to housing and ensures clients are prepared for long-term housing stability.

Job Responsibilities:

· Conduct interviews, housing assessments, and provide counseling to individuals and families to prepare them for housing searches.

· Evaluate program eligibility, financial qualifications, and identify barriers to housing stability.

· Maintain a strong understanding of program requirements to ensure appropriate client placement.

· Identify and secure affordable housing opportunities that align with participants’ needs and financial capabilities.

· Build and sustain partnerships with landlords and housing providers to expand housing options.

· Assist clients through the housing process, including accessing rental assistance, securing deposits, completing inspections, obtaining occupancy permits, and finalizing lease agreements and environmental reviews.

· Coordinate housing placements with case managers to ensure comprehensive client support.

· Provide weekly updates on housing search progress and placement outcomes.

· Maintain an up-to-date Housing Directory documenting all landlord and provider contacts, including dates, outcomes, and available housing details.

· Research and share housing resources and information with staff and program participants.

· Conduct unit inspections before placement to ensure housing meets quality standards.

· Support clients in resolving lease compliance issues and mediating disputes with landlords.

· Educate clients on tenant rights, fair housing laws, lease agreements, and effective landlord communication.

· Prepare and distribute housing resource packets for clients.

· Complete lease renewals and program agreements to maintain rental subsidies.

· Ensure accurate and timely completion of all internal and external reports.

· Participate in community collaboration efforts and represent South Suburban PADS as needed.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:

• High School Diploma, GED, or Associate’s Degree required
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in social services or a related field
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness preferred

· Qualifications and experience may include lived expertise, and applicants with such experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and work independently
• Demonstrated ability to engage respectfully and sensitively with individuals facing homelessness, including those with developmental, physical, mental health, or substance use challenges
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Access to reliable personal transportation
• Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends as needed

Core Competencies & Skills

• High level of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative team player with the ability to work independently
• Commitment to SSPADS’ mission, values, and client-centered approach

Language: English required; bilingual (English and Spanish) strongly preferred.

Other Responsibilities

· Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

· Good judgment and ability to work independently.

· Access to personal transportation is required.

· Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs.

South Suburban PADS is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization with a mission to prevent and end homelessness in the south suburbs of Chicago. Over the past 35 years, we have provided 730,540 nights of shelter and 2.1 million meals to enable 20,659 people to overcome homelessness. In addition, SSPADS provides affordable housing opportunities to over 400 people per year. SSPADS is the proud recipient of a 2024 Award from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving Open Call, 2019 Good Neighbor Award from the National Association of REALTORS, and the 2018 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Award. More at sspads.org

SSPADS adheres to the employment policy of providing equal opportunities to all job applicants and employees regardless of ethnicity, race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation.

Pay: $22.00 - $23.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $22 - $23