Housing Solutions Specialist (Multiple Positions) (Closes 11/23/26)
About The Position
The Housing Solutions Specialist works in the Office of Community Services within the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, as an employee of partner agency Community Family Advocates, onsite at Allegheny County DHS. The role supports people transitioning out of emergency shelters and homeless system housing programs, helps households prevent homelessness and maintain housing when appropriate, and works across Continuum of Care providers to identify and assist eligible households. Through specialized housing navigation and support, the position aims to improve system flow, preserve homeless-system housing units for people with the greatest need, and reduce the time households experience homelessness. The role provides direct assistance to individuals using emergency shelter, experiencing unsheltered homelessness, or living in uninhabitable or untenable situations. It particularly serves people who are not eligible, unlikely to receive, or do not need longer-term Rapid Rehousing or Permanent Supportive Housing services. Assistance may include helping people become document ready, search and apply for housing, connect with potential income, employment, and health-insurance resources, and access resources related to their housing crisis and other social services. The specialist also supports households enrolled in homeless-system housing programs who no longer need those programs’ support services to move into independent, safe, and stable permanent housing.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a field related to social services, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Act 33, 34, and FBI clearances.
- Knowledge of local, state, and federal housing resources and how to access them.
- Understanding of the county’s homeless system and Continuum of Care providers.
- Knowledge of local stabilization resources, including mediation, utility assistance, and rental assistance.
- Knowledge of affordable-housing search strategies and processes, tenant rights and responsibilities, and lease review.
- Familiarity with social-service systems, benefits, and supports.
- Experience conducting eligibility screenings for housing programs.
- Ability to help clients become document ready, including obtaining IDs, income verification, and applications.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with diverse populations.
- Ability to engage individuals in trauma-informed, person-centered ways.
- Advocacy skills, including advocating for clients and empowering them to advocate for themselves.
- Ability to complete assessments related to homeless services.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to build partnerships across organizations and collaborate with Continuum of Care providers.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a high-performing team.
- Strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage fast-paced work, maintain confidentiality, and exercise good judgment.
- Ability to learn and use web-based tools, PC software, and reporting and documentation systems.
- Reliable transportation and ability to navigate community-based work.
- Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily; reasonable accommodations may be made consistent with applicable law.
Nice To Haves
- Two years of field work related to social services preferred.
- Social work and mental-health experience.
Responsibilities
- Provide direct assistance to individuals to help resolve housing crises.
- Conduct preliminary eligibility screenings for publicly and privately funded programs in addition to assessing the presenting housing crisis.
- Serve as a resource on available housing types, eligibility and application requirements, and recommended listing resources.
- Help households complete paperwork and become document ready for housing.
- Review leases with households and explain tenant rights and responsibilities.
- Complete assessments, as appropriate, for homeless housing services and supports.
- Advocate on a household’s behalf when needed and, when appropriate, help the household advocate for itself.
- Engage individuals in ways that are comfortable for them.
- Track supports provided.
- Participate in team meetings, trainings, and related events as a resource specialist representing DHS.
- Identify and communicate opportunities to improve processes and services, including trends in need and service gaps.
- Perform additional tasks and duties as required by the employer.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
