Housing Specialist - RRH

Jericho Project • New York, NY

3d • $50,000 - $55,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Housing Specialist will be responsible for assisting very low-income veterans with identifying and obtaining safe and affordable housing opportunities. The incumbent will be responsible for developing and cultivating housing leads and resources through community agencies, landlords and real estate brokers willing to accept program participants with little or no income. The Housing Specialist will also work with immediate veteran family members, the VA, NYCHA, HPD, and HRA to ensure housing is secured and maintained in a timely and efficient manner.

Requirements

• High school diploma required; Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred but will consider extensive experience in lieu of education.
• 2-3 years relevant experience preferred.
• Ability to work independently and maximize time while conducting field work.
• Experience in social and economic problems related to housing needs for those in a lower income bracket.
• Demonstrated knowledge of challenges faced by special populations, including mental health disabilities, low income and homelessness; experience working in a multi-racial, low-income community preferred.
• Demonstrated interpersonal flexibility, teamwork, customer service aptitude and excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of housing subsidies, rules, regulations, and affordable housing industry in NYC strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking capability, proven ability to achieve results.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required.

Nice To Haves

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred
• extensive experience in lieu of education
• 2-3 years relevant experience preferred
• experience working in a multi-racial, low-income community preferred
• Knowledge of housing subsidies, rules, regulations, and affordable housing industry in NYC strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Conduct housing intakes and assessments with veterans referred from the Case Manager and other staff to assess housing needs and preferences utilizing a Housing-First approach.
• Develop and cultivate strong relationships with housing resources, including landlords, brokers, and real estate agencies.
• Provide hands-on housing counseling and placement assistance to enable veterans to find suitable housing, including identifying viable housing options, accompanying veterans to apartment viewings, conducting inspections, assessing rent reasonableness, and conducting neighborhood research throughout NYC and surrounding areas.
• Assist veterans in completing landlord and property management housing applications, including helping to secure needed documentation and accompanying veterans to housing viewings and appointments.
• Advocate on behalf of the veterans with landlords and brokers to overcome any issues or challenges to securing suitable housing.
• Assist with securing resources for security deposit, broker’s fees, moving expenses, bedding, and household items through referrals and completion of all initial Financial Assistance Requests for veterans receiving Temporary Financial Assistance at move-in. Ensure that all required supporting documentation is present in the request.
• Collaborate as a member of the larger Jericho Project team and serve as a housing resource expert as needed.
• Serve as point-of-contact for landlords; work with case manager and client to resolve issues affecting client’s ability to maintain housing and positive landlord/tenant relationship.
• Assist clients with referrals and applications for housing vouchers including HUD VASH, Section 8 from HPD and NYCHA, and City vouchers through HRA such as City FHEPS.
• Assist clients with approved 2010es access supportive housing by making housing referrals, contacting providers, and attending housing interviews.
• Help to conduct orientation sessions with new participants to explain housing rules and regulations and lease obligations, as well as housing quality standards and housing assistance policies.
• Computes housing assistance payments, tenant rental amounts, utility reimbursements, and rent increases in order to satisfy program guidelines and landlord requests using knowledge of program regulations.
• Performs re-examinations, interim interviews and verifies income to determine and maintain eligibility with federal and city guidelines and regulations.
• Maintains and inputs case notes in AWARDS to reflect housing services provided in a timely manner.
• Prepares monthly statistical reports to track housing placements and other data as mandated.

Benefits

• We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel welcome and valued. We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to our success.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED