Housing & Credit Specialist

Next Move Homeless Services•Mather, CA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Program Manager of Supportive Services and with independent professional responsibility, the Housing Specialist is responsible for the development of a housing relocation plan to assist Next Move program participants and other Sacramento community residents in securing appropriate housing. This role functions at a highly skilled level in areas such as assessment, individual counseling, group facilitation, community resource development, and identifying opportunities for program participants regarding establishing permanent housing. The position is committed to improving the quality of services by seeking input from clients, employees, and stakeholders to ensure service delivery and accessibility are equitable to all persons served. This is a full-time, non-exempt position.

Requirements

Experience working with the homeless population and knowledge of foster youth’s unique needs.
Exhibit a high degree of professionalism.
Must not present a direct threat to the safety and health of self, others or property.
Must be able to perform essential functions of this job description with or without reasonable accommodation.
A strong commitment to the program and the mission of the organization.
Extensive experience with strengths-based case management.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions; and effectively present information to management and/or public groups.
Proven ability to represent the interests of the organization, interact effectively with a diverse population, and be comfortable building successful collaborative relationships with youth, staff and other stakeholders.
High level of energy and good sense of humor with the capacity for extraordinary time and effort demands.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and insurable driving record.
No record or disclosure of criminal conviction that indicates an ongoing tendency toward theft, violence, dishonesty, deceit, drug manufacture or sale, moral turpitude, or predatory behavior.
Must provide proof of identification and eligibility to work in the United States of America.
Must pass a drug and background screening.

Responsibilities

Keeps track of all intakes and exits to ensure that the programs are full to their capacity at all times and work closely with Maintenance Department to ensure proper living environment for the participants. Report delays in filling the vacancies to the Program Manager.
Provides follow-up supportive services to shelter alumni for up to 1 year including referrals, regular contact/home visits, assists in maintaining short/long term goals, develops service plans to maintain permanent housing, provides ongoing intervention to reduce CPS involvement, act as liaison between landlord and participant experiencing housing difficulties in maintaining permanent housing.
Maintains documentation of all program participant contacts (current and past) and community members. Provides statistical data for monthly, quarterly and yearly reports.
Provides supportive services regarding housing opportunities and programs to participants for the duration of the program and to members of the community.
Develops and maintains comprehensive lists of housing resources for use by Next Move program participants; refers program participants accordingly.
Coordinates with case managers to increase access to and information regarding housing opportunities and programs.
Works collaboratively with landlords, colleagues across the organization and within respective department.
Performs a wide variety of individual and group life skills with program participants; develops and facilitates an array of housing based educational workshops and support groups designed to meet participant needs in regards to housing needs, tenant/landlord laws and maintaining permanent housing participants.
Supports and educates program participants on issues surrounding living skills, employment, parenting, budgeting and money management, health and hygiene, and housing.
Maintains housing list for distribution to community members needing assistance.
Coordinates with case management in regards to individualized budgets with program participants where case management is assisting program participants in monitoring savings and expenditures.
Develops and continues working relationships with landlords who are willing to rent to a high-risk population.
Transports program participants as directed.
Ensures compliance with all Next Move Homeless Services and Goodwill Industries Sacramento Valley Northern Nevada policies, CARF standards, and safety and security regulations.
Attends trainings and staff meetings, as required.
Completes reports as directed by the Program Manager of Mental Health.
Performs other duties as assigned.