Housing Caseworker
About The Position
The Housing Caseworker supports YWCA Tulsa’s Housing programs, which quickly connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness to permanent housing and provide supportive services through the Housing First model. The role uses Progressive Engagement case management, including motivational interviewing, trauma-informed practice, and strengths-based goal setting, to help participants move out of homelessness as quickly as possible. This is a temporary position expected to last 18–24 months, though it may end earlier or later. The caseworker manages a caseload of 15 clients, supports housing stability and self-sufficiency, coordinates financial and practical assistance, and maintains accurate confidential records. The position involves regular fieldwork, home visits, property inspections, client appointments, travel between community locations, and office-based documentation. It may also require in-person responses to urgent housing needs.
Requirements
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build rapport with people from diverse backgrounds through empathy, cultural humility, and nonjudgmental communication.
- Cultural sensitivity and understanding of diversity.
- Collaborative approach to working with diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to walk, stand, navigate stairs and uneven surfaces, and bend or reach while visiting residential properties.
- Ability to travel regularly between client homes, the office, and community locations, and accompany clients to appointments as needed.
- Ability to occasionally carry food, supplies, and household essentials and work in homes with varying accessibility and environmental conditions.
- Ability to perform office duties involving sitting, computer use, phone calls, and client documentation, and to respond in person to urgent housing needs when necessary.
- Ability to collect, enter, and apply data accurately, consistently, and in a timely manner.
- Ability to communicate respectfully and respond to communications within 48 hours.
- Ability to maintain the privacy of sensitive and confidential information.
Responsibilities
- Provide services with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism.
- Manage a caseload of 15 clients and conduct in-depth assessments using housing barrier tools.
- Help clients obtain essential documentation, including birth certificates, identification, Social Security documentation, and disability and public benefit applications such as Medicaid and SNAP.
- Support clients through the move-in process, including securing household items and preparing home warming kits.
- Advocate for equitable access to services and help clients receive eligible public benefits.
- Connect clients to community resources for food, clothing, transportation, childcare, and other needs, and follow up regularly.
- Engage clients in self-sufficiency practices, including managing bills, setting up payment plans, and understanding tenant obligations.
- Use Progressive Engagement case management to connect participants with resources, including employment and educational opportunities.
- Support clients in increasing income and financial stability through employment connections, benefits access, budgeting conversations, and self-sufficiency planning.
- Conduct routine home visits and respond to emergency housing needs, such as fires, infestations, and weather-related damage, in coordination with relevant agencies.
- Manage and coordinate participants’ rent and utility payments, deposits, and account setup.
- Maintain accurate and confidential client records and documentation.
- Attend staff meetings, supervision, and case consultations as needed.
- Build positive relationships with service providers and support program evaluation.
- Collect, accurately and consistently enter, review, and apply data relevant to the role; report progress to direct supervisors in weekly meetings and use data to inform action plans and identify gaps or needs.
- Communicate clearly and collaboratively with staff, stakeholders, and clients using tools such as email, Teams messages, telephone, and in-person conversations; respond to communications within 48 hours.
- Attend YWCA meetings, functions, and activities when expected, meet deadlines, and protect sensitive and confidential information.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
