Housing Outreach Advocate

YWCA of Greater Flint•Flint, MI

About The Position

The Housing Outreach Advocate is responsible for providing survivors with supportive services, trauma informed advocacy, community resources, housing resources, and referrals focused on obtaining safe, affordable, housing. The Housing Outreach Advocate will work collaboratively with local service providers and agencies to create pathways to stable housing and improve survivors’ overall well-being. The Housing Outreach Advocate serves as a backup for the Housing Empowerment Coach and Safehouse Advocates.

Requirements

Associate's degree in human services, Social Work, or equivalent education and/or work experience preferred.
Understanding of intimate partner domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking, trauma focused interventions, and trauma informed practices (preferred).
Minimum two years' experience in the social service sector, as an employee or volunteer.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and effectively manage crisis situations.
Completion of 40-hour New Service Provider training as mandated by the State of Michigan. Candidates who do not already have this certificate will be required to attend the next available training.
Flexible availability to work variable days/hours to meet client and organization needs
Ability to lift at least 25 lbs and climb stairs.
Strong organization and problem-solving skills to prioritize, manage multiple, projects/clients, meet deadlines and develop unique solutions to client’s issues
PC proficiency in a Microsoft environment.
Familiarity with local community-based services and resources preferred.
Ability to provide culturally competent services and work with diverse staff and clients in an empathetic and non-judgmental manner; develop and maintain positive relationships.
Ability to handle information with the highest degree of confidentiality.
Possess emotional and physical stamina to deal with a variety of stressful situations and self-awareness to reach out to supervisor for assistance when needed.
Maintain the minimum number of required training hours offered by the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, Michigan Victim Advocacy Network, and other professional training venues to ensure professional readiness.
Pass a Criminal Background check and obtain Central Registry Clearance.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of intimate partner domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking, trauma focused interventions, and trauma informed practices (preferred).
Familiarity with local community-based services and resources preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide support and/or crisis intervention to survivors, helping them work through challenges that may threaten their housing stability.
Meet with survivors regularly to assess needs, establish and monitor goal progression that will contribute to their housing stability including budgeting, setting up utilities, resume building, securing employment, and accessing public benefits.
Complete the Vulnerability Index- Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VISPDAT) and Coordinated Entry Service Assessment (CESA) with survivors.
Build relationships and advocate for survivors with landlords, service providers and community agencies to reduce barriers to housing.
In collaboration with the YWCA multidisciplinary team, identify and connect survivors to a network of services including coordinated entry, job training, mental health services and substance abuse treatment.
In collaboration with the Housing Empowerment Coach, complete Housing Quality Standards Inspections (HQS) and monthly home visits.
Participate in the minimum number of required training hours offered by the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, Michigan Victim Advocacy Network, and other professional training venues to ensure professional readiness.
Provide support and/or crisis intervention to Rapid Re-housing (RRH) and Transitional Supportive Housing (TSH) Program participants, helping them work through immediate challenges that may threaten their housing stability.
Offer short-term solutions and long-term strategies for maintaining housing and improving quality of life to survivors in housing programs.
Maintain complete and accurate written reports and enter accurate client data into the agency database system; recording accurate records of survivors’ progress, interventions and outcomes.
Educate survivors on tenant rights and responsibilities, Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) and Fair Housing Laws.
Maintain a safe, clean, non-threatening, open, inclusive environment for survivors and employees and use trauma informed language and communication style.
Assist with the training of new staff, volunteers, and interns.
Perform other duties and tasks assigned