Housing Specialist

Homelessness Program Housing Specialists determine initial and ongoing participant eligibility to families and individuals who have experienced homelessness or risk of homelessness. Housing Specialists provide housing navigation and placement to enrolled families and individuals as well as cultivate and maintain relationships with local landlords. In order to help households overcome their housing crisis and prevent future episodes of homelessness, Family Tree Homelessness Program utilizes the evidence-based practice of a Housing First Model. Family Tree Homelessness program works with individuals and families within their homes by providing rental assistance, supportive services, resource connections and goal setting.

Full-Time position. Hourly pay rate starts at $25.04. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including but not limited to range of experience, years of experience.

**Essential Duties/Responsibilities: **

• Responsible for interviewing, assessing and determining initial and ongoing program eligibility for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness according to specific program(s) guidelines.
• Provide and document initial and ongoing housing navigation and placement according to specific program(s) guidelines, including HQS/Habitability/NSPIRE inspections. Lease up newly enrolled clients, as well as established clients.
• Develop and maintain relationships with landlords and other community partners in the Denver Metro Area.
• Determine client rental payment amounts in accordance with program guidelines. Submit payment requests for payments with all proper documentation.
• Promptly enter documentation and information into Client files, HMIS and other respective tracking systems as required.
• Maintain a case load.
  
  

## **Qualifications**

**Required Skills/Competencies: **

• Initiative and Critical Thinking -- Able to work in a self-directed manner while also communicating well within a team; able to perform tasks with strong attention to detail, deductive reasoning and problem-solving skills.
• Organizational Competency -- Able to prioritize and manage workload and time.
• Relationship Management -- Experience working with under-resourced, at-risk families and individuals coming from a combination of lived experience and/or professional/educational experience working with vulnerable individuals/families.
• Numeracy -- Ability to work with numbers and complete rental (and other) calculations efficiently and accurately.
• Flexibility and Adaptability -- Open to learning, receptive to feedback, and able to learn quickly; navigate change effectively.
• Strengths-Based Approaches -- Ability to practice trauma informed care, which includes being culturally appropriate, strengths-based, and providing individualized case management; able to apply a 2-Gen or multi-generational model while working with households/families.
• Teamwork and Collaboration -- Committed to and skilled at building and maintaining relationships; able to work effectively with various individuals, organizations, landlords and team members.
• Communication -- Ability to explain complex and diverse ideas to audiences in written and oral formats.
  
  

**Preferred Competencies: **

• Resourcefulness -- Knowledge of and ability to navigate Metro Denver area community resources; an understanding of voucher administration and Medicaid billing processes.
• Digital Literacy -- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Suite, HMIS, and Division of Housing's Elite system
  
  

**Expectations: **

• Adhere to all Family Tree, Inc. established policies and procedures, including those regarding timely reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect and confidentiality of client information
• Participate in at least monthly Supervision (by phone or in person).
• Must have a valid Colorado driver's license, car insurance, and acceptable motor vehicle record.
  
  

**Working nvironment: **

• Due to various funding streams, responsibilities may include but not limited to working with participants in Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Re-Housing and Prevention Services.
• Must be comfortable going into homes that may be under-resourced, not air-conditioned, etc. This position requires visiting homes or locations that may or may not be handicapped accessible
• Must have access to reliable transportation daily for home visits and various off-site meetings.
• Due to program participants' availability, this position schedule requires flexibility, may include afternoon and evening hours, and very occasionally, weekend hours. This is an in-person, 40 hour a week position, primarily Monday through Friday; however, can allow for a flexible schedule.