Housing Specialist, Rapid Re-Housing

Primavera Jobs•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

The Housing Specialist supports rapid rehousing by coordinating housing searches, placements, inspections, lease-up, and ongoing housing stability. The role maintains an active housing placement caseload and works with participants, Resource Specialists, landlords, property managers, and program staff to identify housing options, address barriers, complete applications and documentation, coordinate inspections and move-ins, and prepare participants for successful tenancy. The position applies participant-centered, Housing First, and trauma-informed practices and supports timely placements in line with program performance goals. The Housing Specialist conducts and coordinates housing inspections, rent reasonableness determinations, Fair Market Rent and Utility Allowance compliance, Lead Visual Assessments, and any required re-inspections. The role tracks inspection and lease-up records, reviews lease agreements and responsibilities with participants, and ensures required approvals and compliance documentation are complete before lease execution and move-in. It also develops landlord and housing-provider relationships, recruits new housing partners, communicates program requirements, and helps resolve placement barriers. The position maintains accurate participant files, HMIS records, case notes, housing trackers, inspection and lease-up files, landlord records, and reports. It monitors placement timelines and housing outcomes, participates in audits and quality assurance, and supports the program goal of stable housing exits. The Housing Specialist also contributes to team operations and staff development through onboarding, training, job shadowing, field-based coaching, and practical guidance to Resource Specialists. Work takes place primarily in a shared office, with regular activity in participant homes, housing sites, community locations, and outdoor environments, and requires travel throughout the community.

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, 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, with the 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 coverage.
Ability to work professionally with diverse and sometimes challenging populations, with 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; ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Proficiency with computers and Microsoft Suite, particularly Outlook, Word, and Excel, and experience using database systems.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and safeguard sensitive information in accordance with agency, HUD, CoC, federal, state, and privacy requirements.
Ability to attend required meetings, supervision, training, partner and community meetings, and professional development activities and maintain current knowledge of RRH, Housing First, progressive engagement, trauma-informed practices, Fair Housing, Arizona Landlord-Tenant requirements, and applicable regulations.
Ability to support rapid housing placement, housing retention, and reduction of returns to homelessness.
Ability to consistently demonstrate Primavera's guiding principles of integrity, respect, accountability, compassion, and leadership.

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, or housing placement.

Responsibilities

Maintain an active housing placement caseload and prioritize timely placements in accordance with program 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, required documents, rental applications, and housing approvals.
Coordinate housing viewings and serve as the primary contact among participants, landlords, property managers, and program staff during placement.
Monitor applications, placement timelines, and move-in readiness to support placement within 30 days of intake.
Assist participants with utility setup, lease expectations, tenant education, and tenancy preparation.
Coordinate move-in logistics, including lease-up requirements, utility activation, key exchanges, and move-in arrangements.
Communicate participant progress, barriers, inspection outcomes, and anticipated move-in dates.
Support participants using participant-centered, Housing First, and trauma-informed practices; participate in case staffing and provide housing expertise.
Conduct, coordinate, document, and track housing inspections in accordance with HUD, grant, habitability, safety, and agency requirements.
Coordinate inspections; complete rent reasonableness determinations; verify Fair Market Rent and Utility Allowance compliance; identify deficiencies and arrange corrective actions and re-inspections.
Complete Lead Visual Assessments and ensure compliance with Lead-Based Paint and other required housing regulations.
Provide housing and inspection educational materials to participants and maintain accurate inspection and lease-up records.
Request, review, and maintain lease agreements and lease-up packets; review lease and utility responsibilities with participants; ensure required documentation and approvals are complete before lease execution and move-in.
Conduct Pima County Assessor ownership verification and Arizona Corporation Commission verification when applicable.
Develop and maintain relationships with landlords, property managers, apartment communities, and housing providers; recruit partners to increase housing opportunities and inventory.
Manage the Rapid Rehousing landlord email account and serve as the primary contact for landlord recruitment and engagement.
Educate landlords about program requirements, rental assistance, inspections, and housing placement procedures; 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.
Maintain stated HMIS data accuracy and case file audit accuracy targets, correct deficiencies within established timelines, and update required databases within established timelines.
Maintain and update the apartment Tracker, housing inventory databases, landlord records, inspection records, housing placement records, and related program forms.
Research, identify, and document available housing inventory; monitor placement timelines and housing performance outcomes.
Participate in file reviews, audits, monitoring visits, and quality assurance activities; complete weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports by deadlines.
Support the program goal of 90% of participants exiting to stable housing and not returning to homelessness within 9–12 months of program 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.
Support staff onboarding, orientation, and development through training, job shadowing, field-based coaching, and identifying training needs.
Provide Resource Specialists practical guidance on inspection procedures and landlord engagement updates.
Attend required meetings, supervision, trainings, partner and community meetings, and professional development activities; maintain current knowledge of applicable practices and regulations.
Assist with special projects, community outreach, housing development, and process improvement initiatives.
Maintain participant confidentiality and safeguard sensitive information in accordance with agency, HUD, CoC, federal, state, and privacy requirements.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by leadership.