Housing Specialist

Caracole Inc • Cincinnati, OH

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

As a member of a housing team, the specialist assists households in securing and maintaining safe and affordable housing. The Housing Specialist directly assists clients affected by HIV/AIDS and their family members who are participating in Caracole’s permanent supportive housing programs or short term housing services. Engages participants to increase independent living skills and/or income as participants work toward program graduation. Builds and maintains positive working relationships with landlords, advocates and other community providers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field with at least six months experience in a social service setting, or equivalent experience.
• Basic knowledge of special needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, mental health, substance use, and homelessness.
• Proven ability to work harmoniously with ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse groups of individuals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in verbal, print, and electronic communications.
• Basic computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office.
• Read, write, speak and understand English with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Sensitivity to persons living with chronic disease (HIV/AIDS and/or addiction) and co-existing social, mental and physical conditions.
• Driver’s license and insurance and vehicle in order to transport clients.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual (Sp/En) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist participants in obtaining documentation and locating appropriate housing.
• Develop individualized Housing Plans.
• Manage eligibility and documentation requirements for highly-regulated programs on a rigorous timeline.
• Coordinate care with housing team members and case managers in supporting participants’ success in maintaining housing.
• Work with participants and case managers to address participants’ needs, goals, barriers, and concerns.
• Initiate and maintain communication with participants’ case manager regarding the housing process.
• Educate clients regarding positive life skills.
• Provide transportation for clients when needed.
• Demonstrate commitment to Harm Reduction/Housing First models of housing retention.
• Ensure that all files meet program and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure that recertification of clients, documentation, database entries, and other such tasks are complete, accurate and on time.
• Complete Housing Quality Standards inspections when needed, in coordination with other members of the housing team.
• Serve as a liaison with landlords, utility companies, and the larger community.
• Market Permanent Housing Program to landlords and become familiar with housing tenant rights/laws utilizing other professional resources.
• Mediate issues between participants and landlords so that clients can maintain housing and avoid eviction.
• Assist the housing team in offering or providing input on tenant-training classes.
• Collaborate and interact with community agencies, workgroups and task forces as assigned.
• Develop new relationships with employers, community organizations, landlords, and medical professionals to assist participants with needed resources.
• Identify and pursue educational opportunities to promote professional growth.
• Participate in continuous quality improvement, group and individual supervision, and required staff meetings.
• Maintain professional boundaries and model appropriate behavior.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Hybrid work environment: in community, in office and at home, with an hour paid lunch included.
• Competitive pay; annual increases, on-demand pay advances.
• Medical health insurance, dental, and vision.
• At no cost to the employee: short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and employee assistance program.
• 401k retirement plan with company match.
• Paid paternity leave.
• Generous paid time off includes 11 paid holidays, up to 5 weeks of sick and vacation time off in your first year, and one community service day.
• Reimbursements for work-related mileage and cellphone costs.
• Nonprofit student loan forgiveness program.
• Annual training allowance for all staff to continue their education
• Social work license supervision towards independent licensure, and continuing education credits.
• Opportunities for internship or practicum supervision

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree