Housing Advocate MoCo RRH, (1492)

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington•Silver Spring, MD

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 helps referred clients navigate housing searches, applications, and lease-up, and provides short-term supportive case management to help clients remain stably housed while receiving subsidy support. The role is primarily community-based, including work in clients’ homes and collaboration with community providers. The advocate helps clients access resources, maintain housing, build self-sufficiency, and improve life skills. Case management frequency and intensity are based on ongoing needs assessments, observed needs, and client requests during the program’s period of service. The position requires driving and use of a personal vehicle; mileage is reimbursed by the program.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a related field.
For social work degrees, social work licensure in the appropriate jurisdiction is required.
For professional counseling degrees, professional counseling licensure in the appropriate jurisdiction is required.
Two years of experience working with vulnerable populations, particularly clients with persistent and severe mental illness, substance abuse disorders or other health conditions, a history 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, and use of a personal vehicle is required; mileage reimbursement is provided.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, using styles and techniques appropriate to the audience.
Ability to prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other job-related documents with little to 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 client referrals for intake, orientation, and screening.
Help referred clients identify, apply for, and lease permanent housing options through the Department of Health and Human Services Housing Location Program within 30 days of referral.
Assist clients with applying for and obtaining eligible entitlements and required identifying documentation.
Document all client interactions and services in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Build and maintain positive working relationships with landlords, housing providers, and other case management teams to support clients’ continued housing stability.
Make appropriate referrals for substance abuse, mental health, legal, medical, dental, educational, recreational, vocational, employment, and other housing needs.
Help clients develop long-term housing and self-sufficiency goals, and revisit those goals every three months or more frequently as needed.
Regularly assess clients’ acuity, financial stability, and general progress.
Support clients in developing financial plans that strengthen budgeting skills, housing maintenance, timely rent payments, and credit.
Create and maintain case records according to program and contract timelines, including documentation such as assessments, case notes, case plans, service updates, reports, referrals, and discharge summaries.
Provide crisis response as needed and connect clients with treatment or resources related to substance abuse, mental health, and physical health challenges.
Complete reports, maintain statistical caseload data, and meet program, documentation, and performance standards in a timely manner.
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.