Housing Specialist

Good Shepherd Services•New York, NY

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Housing Specialist provides developmental, practical, and emotional housing support to young people age 17 and older who are aging out of care. The role helps participants identify housing opportunities and resources, build independent-living skills, navigate applications and housing-related challenges, and access assistance with moving expenses. The specialist also helps participants remain connected to supportive networks after obtaining housing. The position provides housing assistance across options such as NYCHA, Section 8, supportive housing, Housing Connect, and other programs. It works with participants on individualized goals and collaborates with property management, casework staff, service providers, and external organizations. The specialist contributes to transition and permanency planning, conducts follow-up assessments after youth move into their own homes, maintains timely case documentation, and applies the Fair Futures and Sanctuary models in daily practice.

Requirements

Associate degree required; bachelor's degree preferred.
Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment, and prioritize tasks.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for required documentation.
Ability to use public transportation, including subways and buses, to attend meetings and make home visits.
Commitment to strength-based and/or youth-development practice.
Knowledge of CONNECTIONS and Microsoft Suite.
Ability to work a flexible schedule when needed, including some evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Commitment to GSS practice models, including Sanctuary and ACS principles promoting permanency, safety, and well-being.
Basic knowledge of housing services and options.
Ability to relate to a wide variety of program participants and staff.
Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish.
At least one year of experience in child welfare or related systems is desirable.
Bachelor's degree.

Responsibilities

Provide housing assistance to young people in foster care, including help with NYCHA, Section 8, supportive housing, Housing Connect, and other housing options.
Maintain current information about housing issues, available subsidies, and housing programs.
Work with participants to develop and implement individualized goals based on their service needs, with a focus on moving toward more independent living.
Collaborate with the Property Manager to communicate housing requirements to residents and ensure those requirements are maintained.
Develop and facilitate workshops that build independent-living skills and knowledge.
Provide housing-related consultation and guidance to EFFC/TFFC casework staff working with families.
Work directly with participants on housing services and problems, including accompanying them to subsidy applications, housing court appointments, and fair hearings.
Establish and maintain connections with housing service programs and organizations, including ACS HPAD, NYCHA, DHS, EHV, Section 8, shelters, eviction-prevention programs, legal services, and realtors; make or assist with referrals as appropriate.
Participate in conferences and meetings related to discharge and preparation for young adulthood, including Family Team Conferences, clinical meetings, discharge meetings, goal changes, and permanency-planning conferences.
Stay familiar with current Section 8 and other housing-voucher policies and procedures, and train and inform staff about housing issues and applications.
Complete three- and six-month assessments for youth who have transitioned from foster care into their own homes.
Represent GSS at outside meetings, conferences, and workshops related to housing and foster-care issues as required.
Maintain accurate documentation and enter progress notes promptly into CONNECTIONS and Care4 in accordance with state and agency standards.
Implement the Fair Futures Model and attend required agency and Fair Futures trainings.
Integrate the Sanctuary Model SELF framework—Safety, Emotional Management, Loss, and Future—into daily practice.
Perform other duties as assigned.