Housing Advocate (HUD)

The Salvation Army Southern California•Portland, OR

17h•$26 - $30

About The Position

The Housing Advocate serves the Women’s Housing Collaborative, a permanent supportive housing program, as the primary case manager for up to 30 participating households. The role establishes and maintains advocacy relationships, screens applicants for eligibility, fills program openings within 30 days, administers rental assistance, maintains landlord relationships and client documentation, develops case plans, meets regularly with participants, and advocates with outside agencies. The position also provides information, referrals, and other advocacy based on participants’ needs; performs screening, intake, advocacy, and case management under the domestic violence coordinated access system; and participates in community hearings, meetings, and forums addressing participants’ housing needs. The role works with the Advocacy team on front desk coverage, on-call backup, community representation, and co-advocacy as applicable. The position provides trauma-informed case management and advocacy to promote participants’ safety, self-sufficiency, empowerment, and housing stability. Duties include creating safety plans, conducting assessments, securing housing resources, maintaining case files and program data, coordinating client and rental assistance, supporting HUD Continuum of Care grant renewal processes, facilitating retention groups and network meetings, and collaborating with internal and external partners. The role also provides weekly front desk and lunch-hour coverage, assists with shelter meals as needed, and attends assigned staff meetings. The position works under general supervision and follows organizational policies and procedures, confidentiality requirements, and VAWA standards. It has some latitude for independent judgment, with unusual decisions subject to prior approval by the Director. The work environment includes a smoke- and drug-free Salvation Army facility and vehicles. The role may involve working with survivors of domestic violence and their children in a stressful setting, and requires flexibility, professionalism, confidentiality, and a cooperative approach.

Requirements

Strong computer skills for internal digital systems and the ability to use Microsoft Office 2010 or later, particularly Excel.
Ability to use networked computers and printers, telephone systems, fax machines, photocopiers, scanners, and reporting databases such as Service Point, Osnium, and MS Excel.
Ability to work with limited direct oversight and/or limited remote training.
Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.
Ability to prioritize multiple requests and demands, solve problems, and maintain patience in a stressful environment.
Genuine concern for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy and uphold professional and ethical standards.
Ability to work with varied socioeconomic, ethnic, and racial populations.
Commitment to nonviolence in all interactions.
Ability to maintain an organized work area, files, and records.
Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist intermittently or continuously; grasp, push, pull, and reach overhead; operate a telephone and computer; lift up to 25 pounds; access and produce computer information; and understand written information.
Ability to perform essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a human services field plus experience in a social-service setting working with vulnerable populations and/or trauma survivors is preferred.
Equivalent work and life experience related to working with vulnerable populations and/or trauma survivors will be considered.
Experience in project or grant oversight in housing-related services and/or voucher issuance; database management and oversight.
Training and experience in trauma-informed care, assertive engagement, domestic violence, housing, nonviolent communication, or crisis counseling.
Crisis intervention and nonviolent mediation skills.
Knowledge of the social services network, or willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain advocacy relationships with participants in the Women’s Housing Collaborative, serving as primary case manager for up to 30 households.
Screen for program eligibility and fill program openings within 30 days.
Develop case management plans with participants to increase safety, self-sufficiency, and housing stability.
Provide advocacy, information, referrals, and case management based on participants’ needs, using assertive engagement and trauma-informed care.
Create safety plans and complete Safety and Stabilization Assessments as necessary; enter assessments in the reporting portal.
Meet regularly with participants and facilitate network meetings and quarterly retention groups as applicable.
Identify and connect participants with resources, including permanent subsidized housing, and assist with housing placement.
Administer available client and rental assistance in coordination with the WWCS Business Manager and DHQ Finance Department; manage cash advances and maintain assistance records.
Complete check requests and maintain documentation for client assistance, rental checks, and utility checks.
Maintain client files and update Service Point data for each participant by the 5th of each month; complete reporting and data-entry tasks accurately and promptly.
Develop reporting, monitoring, and assistance for HUD CoC renewal grant processes.
Maintain professional relationships with landlords, community partners, internal teams, outside agencies, and participants while safeguarding confidentiality.
Participate in community hearings, meetings, and forums that promote participants’ housing needs.
Work with internal and external entities to improve participant success and safety; provide community representation and co-advocacy as applicable.
Provide front desk coverage one day per week starting at 8 a.m. and weekly lunch-hour coverage; provide on-call backup as applicable.
Set up, break down, prepare, and serve meals as needed to maintain shelter services.
Attend assigned staff meetings, maintain shelter safety and security, and perform other duties as assigned.
Maintain organized work areas and files and complete work efficiently, avoiding unnecessary overtime.
Adhere to Salvation Army policies and procedures, professional standards, confidentiality policies, and VAWA standards.