Housing Specialist

Help USA • The Bronx, NY

21d

About The Position

As part of New York City’s plan to end homelessness, the Department of Homeless Services established Homebase Homeless Prevention Community Resource Centers throughout New York City. Homebase programs are designed to assist families and individuals who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless to develop a plan for long-term housing stability. Homebase helps clients navigate the complicated eviction process, offers financial and money management counseling, helps clients obtain public benefits, provides short-term financial assistance, and helps with relocation if necessary. As a Housing Specialist, you’ll work with clients to help in the restoration of housing stability, decrease their risk of shelter entry or re-entry, and support their efforts towards self-sufficiency.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent OR equivalent experience and skills.
• Minimum of one year of experience in housing placement services, with three years being preferable.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and negotiating ability.
• Dependable, resourceful, keenly attentive to detail, eager to take initiative, and able to work effectively in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
• Excellent organizational and documentation skills enabling management of multiple priorities in a time-sensitive manner.
• Experience providing services to the homeless population and ability to successfully help clients achieve permanent housing and self-sufficiency goals.
• Computer literacy, particularly with Microsoft Office applications: Word, Outlook, and Excel.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge and understanding of team concepts preferred.
• Valid US driver’s license is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conducting intake assessments to determine program eligibility.
• Providing landlord/tenant mediation services and negotiating with landlords on the client's behalf.
• Accompanying clients to view apartments and assisting with tasks related to obtaining permanent housing, such as lease signing/renewal, inspections, turning on utilities, coordinating moving transportation, etc.
• Collaborating with the case management team to provide rapid rehousing and relocation services.
• Developing new housing resources and networking with current NYC and NYS housing subsidy programs.
• Conducting and arranging for outside presentation of client-centered workshops to provide information about housing, finances, budgeting, navigating housing court, and other topics related to securing and maintaining permanent housing.
• Conducting community outreach and presentations to increase program enrollment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees