Housing Placement Specialist

Hyacinth Foundation A New Jersey•Paterson, NJ

55d

About The Position

The Housing Placement Specialist works under the supervision of the Regional Services Manager to counsel customers about housing services and provide information and referrals. The role supports people living with HIV (PLWH) and people receiving PrEP who need short-term housing or utility assistance to maintain stable, affordable housing, while helping them identify long-term permanent housing plans and live independently. The position provides statewide housing navigation, with a focus on Paterson in Passaic County, Plainfield in Union County, and Trenton in Mercer County. It includes housing case management and counseling, determining eligibility for housing assistance, helping customers access transitional and permanent housing, connecting customers to medical care and other services, and conducting outreach. The specialist maintains case records and customer information, prepares reports, works with landlords and community providers, and represents Hyacinth at community events and meetings. Employees are expected to provide respectful, professional, confidential service; collaborate with colleagues and community partners; maintain appropriate personal and professional boundaries; and follow agency policies, procedures, and HIPAA requirements. Flexibility to work nights and some weekends may be needed.

Requirements

Associate’s degree.
One to three years of related experience in social services or community services.
Active listening skills.
Knowledge of lease agreements.
Ability to provide budgeting and activities of daily living (ADL) education to clients.
Ability to maintain client confidentiality and follow HIPAA requirements.
Supervisory or people-management experience is not required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree and one year of previous office experience.
Candidates without a degree may be considered if exceptionally suitable and able to demonstrate additional years of relevant office systems experience.
Fluency in spoken and written Spanish.
Excellent oral presentation and writing skills.
Expressed commitment to Hyacinth’s philosophy.
Experience working in Passaic and Union County communities and the city of Trenton.
Knowledge of housing resources and experience in the housing market.
Knowledge of working with people living with HIV (PLWH) and/or at-risk communities.
Cultural competence and sensitivity to socio-cultural factors contributing to HIV infections in New Jersey.
Ability to work non-traditional hours and days, including late nights and weekends, to reach high-risk populations.

Responsibilities

Provide statewide housing navigation, with a focus on Paterson in Passaic County, Plainfield in Union County, and Trenton in Mercer County.
Provide housing case management and counseling, including counseling sessions about housing needs, options, and social service referrals.
Identify permanent housing options and determine eligibility for short-term and long-term safe, affordable housing assistance.
Assist customers with placement in transitional housing and refer or advocate for placement in permanent and transitional housing programs.
Identify and build relationships with landlords, negotiate rental options, and assist customers with leases and related documents.
Complete paperwork for emergency rental and utility financial assistance.
Provide daily living skills training, budgeting and housing-retention counseling to customers.
Refer customers for medical care and collaborate with primary care providers and medical case management staff to identify newly diagnosed patients who need housing support.
Document baseline viral load, CD4 count, AIDS diagnosis, and antiretroviral prescriptions for all clients.
Develop and implement outreach, including networking with community organizations, support groups, and religious organizations, and participate in outreach for high-risk groups.
Establish, maintain, and update confidential case records using approved agency forms and procedures.
Prepare monthly reports and maintain required written reports, statistics, and customer information in eCOMPAS and CAREWare.
Attend staff meetings, supervisory conferences, and training; maintain relationships with community providers; and follow administrative procedures and agency policies.
Represent Hyacinth at community events, meetings, and conferences, and assist with group activities and program events.