Housing Specialist

Vivent Health • Austin, TX

364d • $48,000

About The Position

The Housing Specialist position provides intensive assistance and navigation to clients who are homeless or struggling with housing instability, especially those whose HIV health outcomes are impacted by their housing status. Through achievement of safe, affordable and stable housing, health outcomes will be improved, and viral suppression can be attained.

Requirements

• Baccalaureate or graduate degree in social work, health care, or a human service discipline from an accredited college or university is required.
• One year or greater field experience in services to high-risk populations such as those experiencing homelessness, those living with mental health or substance use disorders.
• Extensive knowledge of medical, social, and mental health delivery systems in the service area.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Willingness to travel within the designated territory.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with culturally diverse populations from a wide range of life circumstances and backgrounds.
• Ability to effectively organize work products and files, keep clear records, and manage time well so as to optimize efficiency and productivity.
• Demonstrated, effective written and verbal communication skills, including client-centered communication and assessment skills.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the HIV/AIDS patient population, and/or an eagerness to learn about this community.
• Working knowledge of Spanish language (bilingual) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide housing case management to clients and patients of Vivent Health whose health outcomes are threatened by housing instability or homelessness.
• Assessment of the barriers to housing stability, social determinants of health, and resource options will lead to development of a housing service plan with the goal of permanent, stable housing.
• Offer information, referral, advocacy, eligibility review, application assistance, and service coordination to connect clients to housing resources, both those offered within Vivent Health and those available in the community from the government and partner agencies.
• Offer individualized, intensive housing education appropriate to the client's current and future living situation, including on rent affordability, appropriate income to rent ratios, components of tenant leases, and rights and responsibilities of being a tenant and neighbor.
• Assist with development of and encourage adherence to a personal budget through proactive budget counseling sessions that review income, expenses, and past due debt.
• Assist with identification of possible income sources such as through employment or government benefits, and explore options for permanent, subsidized housing programs such as Section 8 and VA housing.
• Build strong partnerships with relevant community resources, including those providing housing and other social services to underserved and target populations, as well as landlords and property managers that offer safe and affordable housing.
• Participate in housing forums and networking meetings.
• Contribute as an active member of the Vivent Health Medical Home by participating in staff meetings, trainings, department or agency planning activities, and quality improvement projects.
• Assist with special projects, and provide support, peer mentoring and training to coworkers.
• Provide feedback about best practice standards, program improvement, and unmet client and patient needs.
• Collaborate extensively with Vivent Health's Medical, Dental, Behavioral Health Clinics, Pharmacy, and Social Services staff to ensure that clients obtain appropriate and timely access to all needed care and to maximize adherence to care plans.
• Work alongside the case manager to assist with access to and retention in care for mutual clients.
• Maintain appropriate client files and timely documentation of services utilizing electronic case management (Scout, Provide Enterprise) and/or electronic health records (Epic).
• Update and maintain a strong working knowledge of HIV/AIDS, harm reduction, social determinants of health, case management best practices, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed approaches, and other related issues through self-study and trainings, and in consultation with supervisor.
• All other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 6 weeks of paid time off in the first year
• 12 days of paid holidays
• 401k with 100% employer match up to 5%
• 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave
• Employer subsidized medical, dental, vision benefits
• Gender-affirming care benefits
• Employer paid short and long-term disability
• Tuition reimbursement
• Certification and licensure assistance
• Benefits for part-time roles

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees