Housing Specialist - Bringing Families Home Program

Amigos de Guadalupe•San Jose, CA

2d•$29 - $32

About The Position

Inspired by the power of our vibrant, determined community, our vision at Amigos de Guadalupe (“Amigos”) is to bring about transformational change in East San José. At Amigos, we ensure that the basic needs of our community are met, deliver high-quality programs, and mobilize and organize for justice. We do this by providing housing and rental assistance, mental health services, immigration legal services, education programs, and community organizing programs that advocate for systems change. Reporting to the Program Manager, the Housing Specialist will work with families referred to the Bringing Families Home (BFH) program. The program's goal is to reduce the number of families in the child welfare system (CWS) experiencing or at risk of homelessness, to prevent foster care placement, and to increase family reunification by providing supportive services. The Housing Specialist will be a liaison between the client, housing entities and landlords to interpret and determine the needs of the clients utilizing Amigos de Guadalupe’s core values of Radical Hospitality and 2-Gen. Approach. The Housing Specialist will perform a variety of clerical operational functions in support of the BFH program. This position requires commitment to daily timelines, accurate data entry and record keeping, attention to detail, and skill in responding effectively and tactfully to inquiries from clients. The Housing Specialist actively models and communicates the mission and vision of Amigos de Guadalupe and supports a culture of empowerment, team building, and open communication.

Requirements

BA recommended
Ability to work in an environment that promotes compassion, equity, access and social justice
Experience in HMIS data system
Knowledge of housing availability in Santa Clara County
Proficiency in all Microsoft applications and data entry
Ability to work cooperatively with others toward a common goal
Fluently bi-lingual in Spanish and English preferred

Nice To Haves

Experience with HPAT and VI-SPDAT a plus
Experience or prior work as a housing specialist a plus
Knowledge or personal connection to East San Jose

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain inventory of appropriate units for our clients taking in consideration affordability, location, etc.
Identify appropriate rental housing for clients that takes into consideration their needs and goals
Engage with landlords to build and sustain relationships with Amigos de Guadalupe and our clients
Provide assistance to clients with completing housing applications and obtaining required verifications to determine eligibility
Network with landlords, renter’s associations, property management businesses, and county wide permanent housing providers.
Educate community members about the housing needs of clients and the importance of supportive housing.
Provide direct assistance to clients with housing search.
Guide and educate clients on how to search for, secure and maintain permanent affordable housing, including tenant/landlord rights and responsibilities.
Inspect units to ensure they meet Housing Quality Standards
Prepare and process all required documents for financial assistance for move-in costs, deposits and/or delinquent rent.
Follow agency policies and procedures regarding financial assistance documentation and reconciling all requests.
Maintain thorough and accurate progress notes, files, and correspondences in HMIS as required
Coordinate with Case Managers to ensure client’s needs are being met.
Collaborate with Education, Immigration and other Housing programs to ensure the client remains housed
Other duties may be assigned.