Housing Specialist (50594)

WESTCARE INC•Fresno, CA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Housing Specialist will be responsible for assisting HOPWA HINT-eligible individuals and their families in identifying and transitioning to stable housing. This role involves collaborating with the program’s case manager to address the housing needs of the participant going through the Fresno-Madera Continuum of Care Coordinated Entry System. Essential Job Functions include assessing housing needs, developing individualized housing plans, monitoring client progress, maintaining lists of available housing options, assisting with applications, advocating for clients with landlords, serving as a liaison between participants and property management, completing monthly unit inspections, processing maintenance requests, ensuring client compliance with housing rules, processing rent payments, maintaining client data, preparing reports, conducting outreach to housing providers, networking with other agencies, and actively participating in staff meetings, training, and outreach events. The specialist will also work in collaboration with CRMC’s Specialty Services Clinic, FMCOC, and other community-based organizations to effectively navigate and house individuals and their families, and must embrace the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation.

Requirements

Excellent communication and public speaking skills
Must be culturally/linguistically sensitive to the populations served
Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion
Ability to work well in a team environment
Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentiality
Professional appearance and demeanor
Ability to obtain and maintain clearance from LEIE, MSIL, and EPLS
A valid driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare’s vehicle insurance is required
Ability to obtain and maintain successful background clearance
Ability to comply with new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with
CPR Certification
First Aid Certification
An annual Tuberculosis test
Demonstrate knowledge of housing services including one (1) year experience working in similar programs; working with the homeless population, substance use disorder and/or mental health care systems is required
Demonstrate knowledge of target population including one (1) year experience serving people living with HIV is required
A minimum of one (1) year experience implementing trauma-informed approaches is required
A minimum of one (1) year experience with data collection, data analysis, and confidentiality is required
High School Diploma or equivalent is required

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of substance abuse and treatment is desired
Graduation from an accredited two-year college with a degree in Addiction Counseling, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field is preferred

Responsibilities

Assess the housing needs for all referred clients and work with them to develop individualized housing plans and address any barriers to housing
Monitor and evaluate each client’s progress through their housing plan, and revise the plan with corrective actions as needed
Create and maintain lists of available housing options for clients
Assist clients with housing applications, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, survey rental market for affordable housing, and advocate for clients with prospective landlords
Serve as a liaison between program participants and property management companies and/or owners
Responsible for completing unit inspections monthly and processing maintenance requests, as needed
Responsible for ensuring the clients are in compliance with pertaining housing rules and /or occupancy agreements
Process monthly rent payments, if applicable
Maintain client related data tracking systems, including case notes
Prepare case-related reports, outcomes, successes, challenges, and other reports as necessary and required
Outreach to realtors, landlords, housing developers and other housing providers to identify new and existing housing opportunities
Network with other agencies, coalitions, local community meetings, and attend outreach events
Actively participate in staff meetings, training, and outreach events
Work in collaboration with CRMC’s Specialty Services Clinic, FMCOC, and other community-based organizations to effectively navigate and house individuals and their families
Must Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation
Perform all other duties as assigned