Housing Retention Specialist

Breaking Ground•Queens, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Housing Retention Specialist, reporting to the Clinical Coordinator, Permanent Housing, implements “light touch” supportive services. Through their interventions, they promote and foster long-term housing stability, prevent eviction, and prevent returns to shelter. The Housing Retention Specialist carries a caseload of up to 20 households, including formerly homeless families and individuals with special needs or who are at risk of eviction due to rent arrears or other lease violations. The specialist conducts weekly home visits upon move-in and during the first 1-3 months. As households settle into their new homes, service levels will be adjusted accordingly and ongoing, so that services are right-sized for each household. Efforts are largely preventative, focusing on maintaining benefits/subsidies and avoiding rent arrears, referral to community-based services, and community integration. The Housing Retention Specialist serves as the liaison between on-site social services and property management staff.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field required, MSW preferred
Minimum 3 years of experience working with formerly homeless individuals and families
Housing-based case management experience strongly preferred
Demonstrated understanding of behavioral health, and is familiar with best practices in mental health and substance use recovery which are rooted in harm reduction
Ability to positively engage with residents who present with special needs
Strong collaborative skills; ability to work successfully with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
Excellent interpersonal skills, creativity, and problem-solving ability
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams
Experience with electronic case records, Foothold/AWARDS a plus
Ability to learn new programs

Responsibilities

Conduct regular home visits in tenants’ apartments
Escort tenants to appointments as needed
Conduct initial and ongoing assessments to assess observed and self-identified needs, and create mutually agreed upon service plans
Provide assistance obtaining and maintaining entitlements and benefits including advocacy and guidance with subsidy recertification, Public Assistance, SSI/SSDI, voucher renewal, and SCRIE/DRIE applications and renewal
Promote financial literacy through group programming, workshops, and individual sessions. Topics include assistance with creating and managing a household budget, referrals to financial repair services, etc.
Connect tenants to short-term rental assistance by referring households in need to the local Homebase provider and other rental assistance programs
Provide education and guidance around lease responsibility including expectations around being a good neighbor, rent obligations, use of the unit, safety, etc.
Collaborate with building management during regular meetings to address any concerning issues raised by building management or other tenants
Provide referrals to community based primary care and behavioral health services
Support education and job training including workshops, individual counseling, referral to educational resources including GED support, and referral to vocational preparation resources including resume assistance and job training/placement programs
Provide DV/IPV support including crisis intervention, safety planning, and connection to community resources for ongoing services and support
Assist with tracking school attendance and school interventions
Maintain record keeping in compliance with agency standards as well as those of City and State agencies
Perform other duties as assigned