Housing Specialist

Hope Solutions•Richmond, CA

About The Position

Hope Solutions is seeking an energetic, dedicated Housing Specialist for its Tiny Village Spirit (TVS) program, which supports youth ages 18–24. The position helps provide a safe living environment and supports participants in developing skills for independent living. In collaboration with the Program Manager, Village Coordinator, and community partners, the Housing Specialist reinforces individualized, participant-driven service plans to help youth stabilize, build life skills, and work toward long-term housing and self-identified goals. Services are delivered using strength-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approaches. The role has no supervisory responsibilities. The Housing Specialist maintains contact with participants, conducts home visits and assessments, provides case management and crisis support, and connects participants with housing, health, financial, legal, and other community resources. The role also includes housing-related advocacy, documentation, administrative duties, interagency coordination, and representing Hope Solutions professionally. On-call, after-hours, and backup work may be required. The position requires home and community visits, office-based computer and phone work, occasional lifting and carrying of items up to 25 pounds, and driving—including at night—to appointments or participant homes. Candidates must have an operational vehicle, auto insurance, and a valid California driver’s license, and must pass LiveScan screening and a TB test. Salary is contingent upon skill and experience. Hope Solutions cannot provide sponsorship; applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Requirements

Knowledge of and belief in the Housing First philosophy and strategies.
Demonstrated experience successfully supporting vulnerable populations, especially homeless clients with mental disabilities.
Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field, or equivalent experience.
At least two years of experience in the human services field.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
Computer proficiency with Microsoft and database applications.
Operational vehicle, auto insurance, and a valid California driver’s license; willingness to drive for work.
Ability to pass LiveScan screening and a TB test.
Ability to climb stairs to second- or third-floor apartments without elevators, walk up to half a mile with consumers, work at a desk for up to three hours at a time, occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds, and drive at night.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with housing retention barriers such as substance use, mental health, and income challenges.
Knowledge of HUD requirements, including tenant certifications, or willingness to learn; experience with HUD-funded properties.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Responsibilities

Maintain awareness of culturally diverse consumer populations and perform duties with attention to cultural needs.
Maintain contact with all consumers on the caseload and conduct home visits according to identified levels of need.
Conduct comprehensive psychosocial, life-skills, and financial assessments.
Develop and monitor individualized or family service plans collaboratively with consumers, encouraging independent action and providing assistance as appropriate.
Provide case management, including help with budgeting and accessing benefits and services, accompanying consumers to mental health or medical appointments, and supporting housing stability.
Provide supportive mental health interventions as needed, including mental health crisis management.
Link consumers to medical, mental health, addiction and recovery, financial, legal, and other community services, and coordinate with people and agencies involved in service plans.
Help consumers locate units with landlords or property managers who accept voucher payments and negotiate housing issues with existing landlords or property managers as needed.
With consumer permission, collaborate with providers to address issues that could place consumers at risk of eviction, including behavioral, mental health, or physical limitations affecting lease compliance.
Assist with consumer certification and verification paperwork as needed.
Represent Hope Solutions professionally and comply with confidentiality, HIPAA, consumer-rights, safety, legal, ethical, and organizational requirements.
Complete administrative paperwork, reports, personnel paperwork, expenditure reports, and service documentation accurately and promptly.
Attend required staff, team, case-conference, and interagency linkage meetings.
Assist with data generation for reports and funding applications as needed.
Participate in and complete new employee onboarding, including reading and discussing a chapter of The Color of Law.
Perform other duties as assigned; provide on-call, after-hours, and backup coverage when required.