Shelter Housing Specialist

PROJECT HOPE BOSTON INC•Boston, MA

22h•$53,000 - $58,000•Onsite

About The Position

Project HOPE Boston, Inc. (PHB) has been a leader in advancing housing stability and economic mobility for families in Roxbury and North Dorchester for over 40 years. Founded in 1981, PHB has grown from a family shelter into a comprehensive community hub offering job training, adult education, housing counseling, and empowerment programs. Located on Dudley Street in Boston’s first LEED Silver-certified building, PHB combines innovation with a deep commitment to social equity, addressing the Social Determinants of Health to drive transformative change. With programs rooted in racial equity and a steadfast dedication to the community, PHB continues to open doors of opportunity for families across Boston. Reporting to the Shelter Director, the Housing Specialist is a full-time, onsite position responsible for locating housing for families in the Metro Boston area, supporting housing stabilization, and maintaining all data, documentation, and reporting required by Project HOPE and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). The Housing Specialist serves as a key link between program participants, community partners, and state oversight bodies, ensuring that client outcomes are accurately tracked and reported in compliance with all applicable EOHLC program requirements and Massachusetts state law. This position attends all shelter meetings, meets weekly with the Shelter Director, and is required to attend all meetings called by EOHLC. Regular travel throughout the Metro Boston area is expected, including home visits as part of housing stabilization services. The essential functions or duties outlined below are representative but not comprehensive. This job description does not restrict Project HOPE’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time, with or without notice, to meet evolving organizational needs. Duties and responsibilities may be subject to change to comply with applicable laws, EOHLC program requirements, or business requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, public administration, or a closely related field is required
Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in housing search, housing stabilization, case management, or a related human services role serving families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Experience with data entry, outcome tracking, and reporting in ETO, Salesforce, or similar platforms.
Strong knowledge of housing regulations, EOHLC program requirements, and community resources available to low-income families in Massachusetts.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to document client interactions clearly and accurately.
Strong interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to build trust with diverse, high-risk client populations while maintaining professional boundaries.
Problem-solving abilities, patience, and perseverance in navigating the competitive Massachusetts housing market.
Ability to manage a caseload independently while working collaboratively within a direct service team.
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint) and experienced with Salesforce or comparable case management platforms.
Commitment to racial equity, social justice, and trauma-informed service delivery.
Must be able to work full-time (40 hours per week) onsite at 550 Dudley Street, Boston.
Willingness and ability to conduct home visits, including flexibility for visits after 5:00 PM when necessary to meet clients where they are.
Regular travel throughout Metro Boston required; a valid driver’s license or reliable means of transportation is expected.
Physical demands include regular walking, standing, bending, and occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs.
Must maintain professional boundaries, a positive work ethic, and consistent attendance aligned with the expectations of a full-time professional role.
Maintain working knowledge of, and adhere to, all applicable requirements, including EOHLC Emergency Assistance (EA) shelter program regulations and program participant rights (110 CMR 3.00 et seq.).
Massachusetts General Laws governing housing stability, tenant protections, and human services confidentiality, including but not limited to M.G.L. c. 66A (personal data protection) and M.G.L. c. 119 (child protection reporting obligations).
Federal Fair Housing Act and Massachusetts Fair Housing Law (M.G.L. c. 151B) requirements applicable to housing search and placement activities.
EOHLC reporting, documentation, and audit readiness standards applicable to PHB’s funded programs.
Project HOPE’s organizational policies, including confidentiality, mandatory reporting, and HIPAA-adjacent data handling practices as relevant to client records.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Demonstrated experience working with EOHLC-funded programs (such as EA shelter, RAFT, HomeBASE, or MRVP) strongly preferred.
Familiarity with the Massachusetts eviction process, tenant rights, and landlord-tenant law strongly preferred.
Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Cape Verdean Creole strongly preferred, given the populations served.

Responsibilities

Assist families at risk of homelessness or currently residing in shelter by actively locating and securing appropriate housing in the Metro Boston area, employing proactive strategies suited to the competitive Massachusetts housing market.
Maintain weekly contact with all assigned clients, offering guidance and support throughout their housing search.
Accompany clients to apartment viewings and serve as a liaison between clients and landlords or property managers.
Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of available housing options, waitlists, and applications, ensuring information is current and accurate.
Build and sustain working relationships with landlords, property managers, housing authorities, social services organizations, and state agencies to expand housing opportunities for program participants.
Stay current on relevant housing regulations, subsidy programs, and EOHLC policies to effectively advocate for families and ensure program compliance.
Conduct comprehensive client assessments to identify individual and family needs related to housing, finances, and social services.
Develop and maintain an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for each client, establishing clear goals and action steps.
Conduct home visits with clients as required to monitor housing conditions and assess stability needs.
Assist clients with financial management, including budgeting, savings planning, and connection to financial assistance programs.
Identify and assist clients in applying for programs, services, and benefits for which they may be eligible, including housing subsidies, social services, and emergency assistance.
Provide follow-up stabilization services to clients for 12–18 months to ensure long-term tenancy success after a housing crisis is resolved.
Serve as a liaison between clients and landlords to support successful, sustained tenancies.
Refer clients to internal programs (e.g., Project HOPE’s AES, Prep Program, Employer Partnerships) and external services as appropriate.
Maintain regular contact with clients to monitor progress and adjust service plans as needed.
Enter and maintain all client data in the Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) database and Salesforce in a complete, accurate, and timely manner in accordance with EOHLC reporting standards and Project HOPE policies.
Document all client interactions promptly and comprehensively, including face-to-face meetings, phone calls, home visits, landlord contacts, and referrals.
Track and report on client outcomes, including housing placement, stabilization milestones, and service utilization, to support program evaluation and EOHLC performance measurement.
Assist with data analysis and preparation of reports as requested by the Shelter Director or required by EOHLC.
Collaborate with Project HOPE staff to ensure data consistency and accuracy across all reporting systems.
Maintain thorough records of all IFSP updates, service plan changes, and client progress notes.
Ensure all documentation complies with EOHLC program guidelines, Massachusetts state recordkeeping requirements, and applicable confidentiality laws, including 110 CMR (Massachusetts regulations governing family shelter) and other relevant state and federal provisions.
Meet weekly with the Shelter Director to review caseload, discuss client progress, and coordinate program activities.
Attend all Project HOPE shelter meetings, staff meetings, and case conferences as scheduled.
Attend all meetings required by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), including training sessions, provider convenings, and compliance reviews, as a primary obligation of this role.
Participate in inter-agency partnerships, community coalitions, and collaborative networks relevant to housing and homelessness services.
Attend all relevant training and professional development events as directed by the Shelter Director or EOHLC.
Conduct community outreach and client assessment as directed by the Shelter Director or other Project HOPE administrators.
Maintain active collaboration with local agencies to ensure effective referrals and comprehensive service delivery.
Build and sustain knowledge of community resources, benefit programs, and housing assistance opportunities.
Demonstrate a commitment to the Mission and Operating Principles of Project HOPE and contribute to a positive, solutions-oriented team culture.