Housing Advocate MoCo RRH, (1492)

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington•Silver Spring, MD

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The RRH Housing Advocate connects individuals and families experiencing homelessness with supportive services and short-term rental subsidies in partnership with Montgomery County Services to End and Prevent Homelessness (SEPH). The Advocate guides referred clients through housing searches, applications, and lease-up, and provides short-term supportive case management to help clients remain stably housed while receiving program subsidy support. The position works primarily in the community, in clients’ homes, and with community providers. The Advocate helps clients access resources, maintain housing, build self-sufficiency, and develop life skills. Case management frequency and intensity are determined by ongoing needs assessments, observed needs, client requests, and the program’s length of stay.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a related field.
Social work degrees require social work licensure in the appropriate jurisdiction.
Professional counseling degrees require professional counseling licensure in the appropriate jurisdiction.
Two years of experience working with vulnerable populations, particularly people with persistent and severe mental illness, substance abuse disorders or other health conditions, histories of homelessness, and/or experience as domestic violence survivors.
In some cases, additional related certifications or education may substitute for the minimum years of experience.
Driving is required; use of a personal vehicle is required. Mileage reimbursement is covered by the program.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, using styles and techniques appropriate to the audience.
Ability to prepare clear, concise, accurate reports, correspondence, and other work-related documents with few or no errors.
Ability to work effectively under pressure.

Responsibilities

Coordinate with Montgomery County Housing Locators, administrators, and interagency case management teams to receive and process referrals for intake, orientation, and screening.
Assist referred clients with identifying, applying for, and leasing permanent housing options through the DHHS Housing Location Program within 30 days of referral.
Assist clients in applying for and obtaining eligible entitlements and required identifying documentation.
Document client interactions and services in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Maintain positive working relationships with landlords, housing providers, and other case management teams to support clients’ ongoing housing stability.
Refer clients to substance abuse, mental health, legal, medical, dental, educational, recreational, vocational, employment, and other housing resources as appropriate.
Help clients develop long-term housing and self-sufficiency goals and review those goals at least every three months or more often as needed.
Regularly assess clients’ acuity, financial stability, and general progress.
Help clients develop financial plans that strengthen budgeting, support housing maintenance and timely rent payments, and improve credit.
Create and maintain timely case records, including legal documentation, assessments, case notes, case plans, service updates, court and medical reports, referrals, discharge summaries, visitation records, and educational information.
Provide crisis response as needed to connect clients with treatment or resources for substance abuse, mental health, and physical health challenges.
Complete reports, maintain statistical caseload data, and meet program, documentation, and performance standards.
Help create a hospitable, customer-oriented facility environment.
Facilitate individual and group intervention meetings in coordination with the supervisory team as needed.
Serve as a member of the multidisciplinary program team.
Perform other related duties as assigned.