Housing Retention Specialist

Illumination Health + Home•Stanton, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The role of a Housing Retention Specialist is a professional who assists individuals or families experiencing homelessness, concentrating on delivering support and case management services to facilitate the maintenance of their housing once secured. This role involves addressing potential barriers such as financial management, landlord communication, and access to essential community resources, with the aim of preventing housing instability and a return to homelessness. Essentially, the HRS acts as a committed advocate, ensuring long-term housing stability for clients.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive)
Case management/housing navigation experience dealing with homeless populations or similar fields.
Customer and client relation skills.
Valid CA Driver’s License and eligibility for company vehicle insurance.
Possession of a personal vehicle is required.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Bachelor’s Degree

Responsibilities

Carries a maximum caseload of 30-35
Network and collaborate with relevant internal and external personnel as it pertains to promoting retention outcomes
Advocate for and connect clients to resources that will assist the client in achieving stabilization and housing retention. This includes warm hand-offs to agencies who can assist clients with financial benefits, mental health, substance abuse, hygiene, shelters, medical treatment, legal advocacy, etc.
Attend Interdisciplinary Care Team meetings when scheduled and provide updates to health care networks on mutual clients and Cal Aim programs.
Coordinate, prepare and maintain required charting and documentation in a timely and thorough manner.
Maintain client records according to HIPAA and adhere to all client confidentiality requirements and standards.
Complete training and development opportunities as determined appropriate by the supervisor.
Acts in an ethical manner reflecting core values of integrity, transparency, accountability, respect and responsibility.
Must accept personal responsibility and accountability for performance of duties.
Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify housing barriers and needs of clients.
Regularly monitor client progress and adjust as needed.
Act as a liaison between clients and landlords to address concerns and potential conflicts.
Advocate for clients in lease disputes, negotiating payment plans or other accommodations when necessary.
Provide training on essential life skills like tenant rights, household maintenance, and conflict resolution.
Connect clients with community resources for additional support, including mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and employment opportunities.
The Housing Retention Specialist is required to collaborate effectively with other members of the client's care team to ensure that all client needs are adequately addressed.
Must attempt to meet all clients in-person each month if client is unable-to-contact then there must be at least 3 modes of communication used in the effort to contact the client in the month (telephonic, electric or letter)
Develop customized sustainability plans that include measurable goals, actionable steps, timelines, and objectives, and provide support in helping clients achieve their desired outcomes.
Maintain detailed client records, including case notes, progress updates, and communication logs.
If a client is unresponsive after four unsuccessful attempts at contact through various methods—including electronic communication, phone calls, and written correspondence—the Housing Retention Specialist may proceed with disenrollment from services.
Prioritize individual and client health and safety.
Be able to meet deadlines, performance expectations, and work under pressure.
Communicate with tact and professionalism.
Set and maintain healthy boundaries with clients.
Gain proficiency in reading and comprehending a lease agreement.
Assist the client with the recertification process if they qualify for a housing opportunity with the public housing authority.
Assist the client in ensuring timely payment of their monthly rent and coordinating their housing experiences effectively.
Meet with clients in their places of residence in accordance with role expectations
Demonstrate the ability to maintain confidentiality of client information and work-related information/materials
Self-starter with excellent initiative and strong sense of urgency
Ability to work independently and within a team environment
Understanding of Housing Tenancy and Sustainability services
Understanding of social service landscape and resources available to clients
Passion and commitment to ending homelessness.
Familiarity with principles of harm reduction, trauma informed, housing resources and health care delivery systems such as the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).

Benefits

Medical Insurance funded up to 91% by Illumination Foundation (Kaiser and Blue Shield), depending on the plan
Dental and Vision Insurance
Life, AD&D and LTD Insurance funded 100% by Illumination Foundation
Employee Assistance Program
Professional Development Reimbursement
401K with Company Matching
10 days vacation PTO/year
6 days sick PTO/year
10 days holiday PTO/year
Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSFL) for federally qualified loans