Housing Specialist, Rapid Re-Housing

The Primavera Foundation•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

The Housing Specialist supports Rapid Re-Housing participants in securing and maintaining housing. The role manages an active housing placement caseload, conducts housing searches, coordinates applications and move-ins, and supports participants with tenancy preparation and housing barriers using participant-centered, Housing First, and trauma-informed practices. The position is also responsible for coordinating and documenting housing inspections, completing rent reasonableness and Fair Market Rent and utility allowance checks, reviewing lease-up documentation, and ensuring compliance with relevant program, grant, HUD, safety, habitability, and lead-based paint requirements. The Housing Specialist develops landlord and housing-provider relationships, recruits housing partners, supports landlord communication, and maintains housing inventory and placement records. The position maintains timely and accurate participant files, HMIS records, case notes, tracking logs, and required reports, while supporting program housing-placement and housing-stability goals. The role also contributes to team operations through staff onboarding, training, coaching, and practical guidance on inspections and landlord engagement. Work is performed primarily in a shared office, with regular interaction in participant homes, community locations, housing sites, and outdoor environments. Community travel is required for participant appointments, housing navigation, inspections, transportation, landlord engagement, outreach, meetings, and other program activities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Public Administration, Community Development, Social Work, or a related field.
At least two years of case management experience working with individuals and families in a shelter, housing, homelessness, social services, and/or trauma-related setting.
At least one year of experience using web-based databases, including Microsoft Excel, SharePoint, HMIS, or similar tracking systems.
At least one year of experience conducting housing inspections or compliance work, and ability to obtain certification within six months of hire.
Current First Aid and CPR certifications, or ability to obtain both within 90 days of employment.
Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card, or ability to obtain it within 30 days of employment.
Mental Health First Aid certification, or ability to obtain it within 90 days of employment.
Ability to successfully complete required agency, program, safety, and other applicable trainings.
Reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, and proof of current vehicle registration and insurance.
Ability to work professionally with diverse and sometimes challenging populations, using interpersonal, problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
Knowledge of housing navigation, lease-up processes, housing inspections, landlord engagement, housing stabilization practices, and housing quality standards.
Knowledge of Housing First, trauma-informed care, Fair Housing, Arizona Landlord-Tenant laws, housing assistance programs, and housing stabilization practices.
Working knowledge of HMIS and ability to accurately enter, review, update, and maintain participant and housing information.
Ability to manage a high-volume caseload while balancing priorities, deadlines, and program performance expectations.
Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and professional communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with participants, landlords, property managers, community partners, vendors, and staff.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Ability to maintain participant confidentiality and safeguard sensitive information in accordance with agency, HUD, CoC, federal, state, and privacy requirements.
Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and database systems.
Ability to maintain current knowledge of Rapid Re-Housing, Housing First, progressive engagement, trauma-informed practices, Fair Housing, Arizona Landlord-Tenant requirements, and applicable regulations.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish.
Three or more years of case management experience in social work, housing, or related human services.
Three or more years of experience working with individuals or families experiencing homelessness.
Certified and documented training in HQS, NSPIRE, Lead-Based Paint compliance, and housing inspections.
At least two years of experience using web-based databases, including HMIS, reviews, or housing quality standards.
Experience with Rapid Rehousing, Housing First, Progressive Engagement, or other evidence-based housing stability models.
Experience working with landlords or property managers and coordinating housing placements.
Experience providing training, mentoring, or technical assistance related to housing navigation, inspections, landlord engagement, housing compliance, and placement activities.

Responsibilities

Manage an active housing placement caseload and prioritize timely placements in accordance with program performance goals.
Collaborate with Resource Specialists and participants to identify housing barriers and needs and begin housing searches as early as possible.
Search for housing units that meet participant needs, program requirements, and funding guidelines.
Assist participants with housing selection, documentation, rental applications, and housing approvals.
Coordinate viewings and serve as a primary point of contact among participants, landlords, property managers, and program staff throughout placement.
Monitor application status, placement timelines, and move-in readiness, supporting placements within 30 days of intake.
Help participants with utility setup, lease expectations, tenant education, and tenancy preparation.
Coordinate lease-up requirements, utility activation, key exchanges, and move-in logistics.
Maintain communication about participant progress, housing barriers, inspection outcomes, and anticipated move-in dates.
Support participants in overcoming housing barriers using participant-centered, Housing First, and trauma-informed practices.
Participate in case staffing meetings and provide housing expertise to support placement and stabilization goals.
Conduct, coordinate, document, and track housing inspections in accordance with HUD, grant, habitability, safety, and agency requirements.
Coordinate inspections with landlords, participants, property managers, and program staff.
Complete rent reasonableness determinations and verify Fair Market Rent and Utility Allowance compliance.
Identify inspection deficiencies, communicate corrective actions, and conduct re-inspections as needed.
Complete Lead Visual Assessments and ensure compliance with Lead-Based Paint and other required housing regulations.
Provide required housing and inspection educational materials to participants.
Maintain inspection and lease-up records and ensure documentation, approvals, and compliance requirements are completed before lease execution and move-in.
Request, review, and maintain lease agreements and lease-up packets and review lease and utility responsibilities with participants.
Verify ownership through the Pima County Assessor and Arizona Corporation Commission when applicable.
Develop, maintain, and expand relationships with landlords, property managers, apartment communities, and housing providers.
Recruit and engage landlords and housing partners to expand available housing inventory.
Serve as the primary contact for landlord recruitment, engagement, and management of the Rapid Rehousing landlord email account.
Educate landlords on program requirements, rental assistance, inspections, and placement procedures.
Maintain professional, solution-focused communication with landlords and housing partners, respond to concerns, and help resolve placement barriers.
Collect, review, track, and maintain landlord and lease-up documentation before participant placement and move-in.
Maintain accurate and timely participant files, HMIS records, case notes, tracking logs, and supporting documentation.
Complete case notes by the end of each workday and ensure records accurately reflect services provided.
Maintain the stated HMIS data accuracy and case file audit accuracy targets, correcting identified deficiencies within established timelines.
Enter and update housing searches, inspections, placement milestones, outcomes, and services in HMIS and other required databases within established timelines.
Maintain and regularly update the apartment Tracker, housing inventory databases, and landlord, inspection, property, and placement records.
Research, identify, and document available housing inventory and monitor placement timelines and performance outcomes.
Maintain housing tracking logs, inspection records, lease-up files, landlord files, and related program forms.
Participate in file reviews, audits, monitoring visits, and quality assurance activities.
Complete required weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports accurately and on time.
Support the program goal for participants to exit to stable housing and avoid returning to homelessness within 9–12 months of exit, as measured by available data.
Document and report incidents, grievances, safety concerns, and significant events in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
Collaborate with the Senior Resource Specialist, Director, and Officer on operational decisions, staff support, and team performance.
Promote a collaborative and accountable team environment through communication, professional boundaries, constructive feedback, and leading by example.
Support onboarding, orientation, and staff development through training, job shadowing, field-based coaching, and identifying training needs.
Provide Resource Specialists with hands-on guidance on inspection procedures and landlord engagement updates.
Attend required meetings, supervision, trainings, partner and community meetings, and professional development activities.
Assist with special projects, community outreach, housing development, and process improvement initiatives.
Demonstrate Primavera's guiding principles of integrity, respect, accountability, compassion, and leadership, and perform other duties as assigned.