Supportive Housing Manager

About We Do Life… Together

We Do Life…Together (WDLT), a division of ICES, Inc., has been transforming lives in Connecticut since 1998. We support individuals with cognitive disorders, mental illness, and those on the autistic spectrum. Our caring human service professionals focus on the individuals’ personal strengths to make the most of valuable community resources while promoting respect and dignity of all. We serve individuals in private residences, respite facilities, emergency placements, community work sites, training centers, supervised living arrangements, and our own state-licensed group homes.

We offer a comprehensive continuum of services, including residential, vocational, clinical, community habilitation, and in-home support, all grounded in person-centered care. Our team works alongside each Individual to build real-world independence, from securing meaningful community employment to developing daily living skills and accessing the resources they need to thrive.

WDLT collaborates with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), and other community partners. When you join WDLT, you are joining a team that believes in doing this work together, for each other and for the people we serve.

Why This Role Matters

Supportive Housing gives individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to live independently while receiving individualized supports. The Supportive Housing Manager oversees Individuals in an Individualized Home Support (IHS) apartment community, ensuring residents receive quality services, maintain successful tenancy, and achieve greater independence. This role proactively preserves housing stability by helping individuals become successful tenants, coordinating staff supports, and ensuring compliance with DDS requirements and apartment community standards.

What You’ll Do

Supportive Housing Operations and Management

• Oversee daily operations of the 12-unit supportive housing program.
• Supervise all IHS staffing and schedules.
• Assign staff based on approved IHS hours and individual needs.
• Ensure DDS and agency compliance.
• Coordinate with property management.
• Participate in on-call responsibilities.

Housing Stability and Tenancy Management

• Ensure safe, stable, and successful tenancy for every resident.
• Serve as liaison with landlords and property management.
• Educate residents on leases, tenant rights, and building rules.
• Monitor compliance with lease requirements and community standards.
• Conduct apartment visits and environmental reviews.
• Coordinate move-ins, utilities, furnishings, and apartment setup.
• Teach housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, shopping, and apartment maintenance.
• Support positive relationships with neighbors.
• Coordinate repairs, inspections, and maintenance.
• Identify and address issues that could jeopardize housing stability.
• Develop intervention plans to prevent lease violations or eviction.
• Ensure emergency preparedness plans are in place.
• Assist with renter’s insurance, utilities, and housing resources.
• Monitor rental assistance and housing benefits.
• Maintain documentation related to housing stability and tenancy.
• Promote independence while ensuring successful long-term housing.

Individual Support and Independence

• Ensure person-centered supports are provided.
• Monitor ISP outcomes and progress.
• Coordinate medical, vocational, behavioral, and community supports.
• Promote self-advocacy and community inclusion.

Financial and Entitlement Management

• Complete and maintain Medicaid, SSI, SNAP, rental assistance, and other entitlement documentation.
• Monitor rent, utilities, and personal finances.
• Coordinate Representative Payee responsibilities when applicable.
• Teach budgeting and money management.
• Resolve benefit and funding issues with DDS and families.

Team Leadership and Development

• Recruit, train, supervise, and coach IHS staff.
• Conduct performance evaluations.
• Ensure required certifications remain current.
• Lead staff meetings and training.

Business Partner Relationships and Communication

• Maintain relationships with DDS, families, conservators, landlords, and community providers.
• Communicate program performance to leadership.
• Coordinate interdisciplinary meetings.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with DDS regulations and agency policy.
• Monitor documentation.
• Respond to incidents and corrective actions.
• Promote continuous quality improvement.

Program and Organizational Contribution

• Support WDLT mission.
• Participate in leadership meetings.
• Complete special projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary.
• Leadership opportunity.
• Collaborative culture.
• Professional development.
• Opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

Additional Required Responsibilities

• Local travel required.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Flexible schedule.
• Skill-based assessments may be required.
• Participate in the Shared Living Department on-call rotation to ensure continuous leadership coverage and support.

Required Trainings and Certifications

WDLT provides training and support to help you meet all certification requirements. The following must be maintained throughout employment and includes, but is not limited to:

• CPR Certification
• Physical & Psychological Management Training (PMT)
• Human Rights and Abuse/Neglect Training
• DDS Annual Training
• Leadership Training

What You Bring

• Commitment to person-centered services.
• Leadership experience.
• Knowledge of DDS and IHS.
• Entitlement and financial management experience.
• Strong communication, organization, and computer skills.

Physical and Other Requirements

This role includes physical activity. You should be able to:

• Stand, walk, and sit for extended periods.
• Lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.

Other qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Three years of supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience with DDS supportive housing preferred.

Other Information

Assignments may shift day to day based on the needs of the individuals served and the operational needs of the Shared Living Department. The ability to adapt quickly, change work hours, prioritize competing responsibilities, and respond effectively to changing circumstances is essential.

• You will work closely with the Shared Living Assistant Director and Shared Living Specialist to coordinate services, ensure regulatory compliance, support staff development, and promote positive outcomes for the individuals served.
• This position requires flexibility, sound judgment, and the ability to respond to emergencies, staffing needs, and housing-related concerns in a timely and professional manner.