Housing Solutions Specialist

Northwest Youth Services • Bellingham, WA

19h • $27 - $30

About The Position

This position supports the success of NWYS by The Housing Solutions Specialist is the primary housing navigation point of contact for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability in Whatcom County. This position serves as the central point of contact for youth referred through the Ground Floor drop-in center, outreach teams, or internal programs requiring housing support. This position provides direct service to vulnerable youth and young adults and requires proven approachability, adaptive, and professional skills.

The Housing Solutions Specialist conducts housing assessments, identifies appropriate housing pathways, and supports access to homelessness prevention and diversion resources, emergency housing, rapid re-housing, Transitional Living Programs, and housing program waiting lists through the Youth Housing Interest Pool. The role provides ongoing, housing-focused case management for youth on the Youth Housing Interest Pool while they await housing placement and supports transitions into housing when opportunities become available.

The position is primarily based at the Ground Floor drop-in center and includes travel throughout Whatcom County. Transporting youth is a required function of this role.

Requirements

• Six years of combined education and experience in working with youth. Relevant experience may include community-based work, outreach, advocacy, direct service, lived experience, training, or formal education
• Valid Washington State driver’s license, acceptable driving record, proof of auto insurance, and ability to use a personal vehicle for work-related travel and youth transportation
• Background check clearance
• CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens certifications required
• Food Handler’s Certificate (positions handling food)
• Must have negative TB test
• Full understanding of the CPS mandatory reporting requirements

Nice To Haves

• Two or more years of experience working with system-involved youth and/or youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability
• Training in de-escalation, harm reduction, mental health first aid, trauma-informed care, or related areas
• Lived experience relevant to the youth and communities served
• Bilingual in English/Spanish (a 5% wage premium is offered)

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Housing Case Managers, Ground Floor staff, outreach teams, and community partners to identify youth needing support.
• Conduct housing assessments to identify immediate needs, housing barriers, eligibility, and appropriate housing pathways.
• Work directly with youth to access housing options, including homelessness prevention and diversion programs, emergency housing, rapid re-housing, transitional living programs, and other community-based housing resources.
• Facilitate strengths-based diversion and prevention conversations to identify safe solutions for housing.
• Assist youth with applications and documentation required for housing diversion and flex fund programs.
• Complete Coordinated Entry assessments in HMIS for youth and young adults ages 17–24.
• Manage Coordinated Entry referrals, documentation, follow-up, and placement coordination within the local Coordinated Entry system.
• Maintain and manage the Youth Housing Interest Pool as the centralized housing waiting list for youth, including adding new youth, updating housing check-ins, and conducting regular outreach to maintain engagement.
• Provide ongoing navigation support to youth while they are on the Youth Housing Interest Pool and awaiting placement.
• Monitor youth status, readiness, and documentation while on the waiting list and support preparation for housing placement.
• Participate in case conferencing with internal teams and external partners, including the Community Resource Network and Whatcom Homeless Service Center.
• Serve as a consistent housing-focused point of contact for internal teams and community partners.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete participant records and referrals in HMIS and internal systems in accordance with NWYS policies and funder requirements.
• Coordinate secure document exchange with partner agencies and housing providers.
• Collaborate with data, housing, and finance teams to support data quality, reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Participate in staff meetings, team meetings, case conferences, training, and required professional development.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and equity-centered workplace aligned with NWYS values.
• Keep the supervisor informed of significant youth needs, system barriers, and emerging housing access challenges.

Benefits

• Earn paid time off based on hours worked
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance benefits begin first of the month following date of hire (positions at or above 0.75 FTE)
• Voluntary life, critical illness, long term disability, and accident insurance eligibility begins first of the month following date of hire (positions at or above 0.75 FTE)
• Simple IRA Retirement plan with match up to 3% of employee contributions, per pay period, after first year of employment
• NWYS sponsored Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Annual Healing Fund stipend
• Twelve paid holidays annually

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed