Bilingual Housing Specialist: (Spanish/English)

Cherokee Federal•New York City, NY

About The Position

The in-shelter Housing Specialist is responsible for supporting shelter residents in securing stable housing through comprehensive assessment, planning, and placement services. This role involves developing individualized housing plans, assisting clients in navigating NYC's housing voucher systems, coordinating housing searches, and maintaining strong partnerships with landlords and housing providers. The Housing Specialist works closely with case managers, DHS staff, and community organizations to ensure timely placements in compliance with all regulatory guidelines. The ideal candidate has experience in housing placement or case management, strong organizational and interpersonal skills, and a solid understanding of NYC's rental assistance programs and tenant rights.

Requirements

High School diploma required, college degree preferred.
Must be fluent in Spanish.
Must have a valid Drivers License and reliable transportation.
Minimum 2 years’ experience in housing placement
Strong working knowledge of CityFHEPS, FHEPS, Section 8, and SOTA voucher programs
Knowledge of landlord-tenant law and fair housing regulations.
Proficiency with NYC housing systems such as CARES, ACCESS HRA, and Housing Connect
Experience navigating DHS regulatory requirements, HPD/NYCHA housing inspections, and NYC landlord–tenant procedures
Strong interpersonal skills and cultural competency to work with diverse populations.
Excellent organizational and time management abilities.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and case management databases.
Must pass pre-employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal

Responsibilities

Partner with shelter guests to conduct comprehensive assessments of housing needs, goals, and program/voucher eligibility.
Collaborate with guests to develop service plans informed by evaluations, incorporating clearly defined SMART goals.
Provide ongoing support through regular meetings, helping guests achieve SMART goals and updating plans as needed.
Identify permanent housing options aligned with guests’ needs, goals, and eligibility.
Facilitate active guest engagement in the housing process, including rental applications, move-out planning, and addressing barriers such as past evictions.
Builds and maintains relationships with landlords, brokers, and management companies to secure suitable housing opportunities for clients.
Identifies safe, compliant apartments that meet NYC health and safety standards, and accompanies clients to viewings.
Assists clients with lease negotiations and securing/maintaining funding sources for housing.
Conducts inspections to ensure housing solutions uphold dignity, privacy, safety, and compliance with Fair Housing laws
Facilitates housing workshops to educate and empower clients.
Maintains accurate, up-to-date records of clients’ housing progress.
Promote inclusive practices that address the needs of women, individuals with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
Provide clients with pre-move information on tenant rights and responsibilities.
Advocate for equitable access to housing, with a focus on marginalized and displaced populations.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.