Consumer Advocate, Transition

Breaking Ground•New York, NY

2d•$21 - $21

About The Position

Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness. But we didn't stop at providing housing. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness - especially those who have been on the streets the longest - to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get, and stay, on the path to a permanent home. Reporting to the Senior Consumer Advocate, Transition, the Consumer Advocate, Transition provides guidance and support to clients through the move-in process into permanent housing. The Consumer Advocate, Transition builds relationships with clients by utilizing motivational interviewing and their lived experience to support, encourage, and assist clients towards obtaining housing. The Consumer Advocate, Transition escorts clients to housing interviews and viewings and enters all required data into required databases. The Consumer Advocate, Transition provides post move-in support ensuring that clients are acclimating to their new home and helping navigate community resources.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent required
Minimum 2 years of experience working with homeless adults and substance use issues preferred
Lived experience with homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues, and willingness to appropriately use lived experience as a tool for building client rapport and developing service connection preferred
Knowledge of local benefit agencies (e.g., Public Assistance) and familiarity with substance abuse, mental health, immigration, and employment resources
Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders
Valid NY, NJ, CT, or PA driver’s license with a good driving record, as defined by Breaking Ground is preferred
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams required; familiarity with AWARDS database preferred
Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

Responsibilities

Provide support to ensure clients are prepared for the housing process by conducting mock interviews
Draw on lived experience of homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues to build rapport with clients and develop appropriate service connections
Escort clients to housing interviews and viewings
Provide clients with support on move-in day into permanent housing, ensuring client is safe, secure, and has the necessary items
Provide clients with community resources (pre and post move-in), as needed
Conduct health surveys before move-in and every 6 months, for 2 years and update tracker
Maintain records in compliance with agency standards and those of City, State, and Federal agencies
Document all client interactions in AWARDS database system
Attend clinical supervision and training
Perform other duties as assigned