Housing Specialist

Volunteers of America Colorado•Durango, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Volunteers of America Colorado is seeking a Housing Specialist to coordinate and oversee the VOCA Housing for Crime Victims Special Project and DVP TANF Flex Funds project. The role provides mobile advocacy to crime victims transitioning to or maintaining independent housing. Participants are low-income adults experiencing homelessness due to domestic or family violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and may also have mental health or chemical dependency issues. The program focuses first on helping survivors access and retain safe, long-term housing, then provides tailored supportive services. The Housing Specialist serves as the primary housing-assistance contact for crime victims and community partners; assesses needs and resources; provides trauma-informed, community-based support; coordinates financial assistance, referrals, lease-up, landlord negotiations, and contracts; and develops housing resources and community partnerships. The position also conducts intake, maintains case and financial documentation, supports program evaluation, trains colleagues and volunteers as assigned, and represents the organization in community education and housing-related meetings. Work is mobile, with daily short-distance travel to the Southwest Safehouse and Durango Community Shelter in Durango, Colorado.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in human services or a related area.
Two years of human service experience.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office products and the Windows environment.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
Ability to use a personal automobile, a valid Colorado driver’s license, and state-mandated automobile insurance.
Ability to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct safety or health threat.
Demonstrate or be willing to learn about poverty, human service government programs, homelessness, aging, veterans, at-risk youth, and services for vulnerable people.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience with the relevant population and with housing and homelessness issues.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary contact for housing assistance for crime victims and community partners.
Understand and implement the Housing for Crime Victims Special Project and DVP TANF Flex Funds projects according to VOCA, DVP, and VOA standards and grant agreements.
Determine housing needs and available resources, and work with people seeking assistance to identify available options.
Provide trauma-informed care.
Refer crime victims needing short-term rental assistance and additional housing case management to Housing Solutions for the Southwest, and provide collaborative case management when appropriate.
Coordinate VOCA funding for needs that promote crime victims’ long-term housing stability.
Provide community-based mobile supportive services, including assistance with emergency shelter, utilities, and moving expenses.
Coordinate lease-up, landlord negotiations, and contracts with partner agencies.
Research affordable and supportive housing options and develop relationships with landlords, brokers, and housing programs.
Triage and assess information and referral inquiries to support effective advocacy and financial assistance.
Engage landlords and build partnerships with housing and community providers to increase housing opportunities for crime victims.
Conduct intake interviews, complete required documentation, and determine program eligibility.
Attend weekly staff meetings and required in-service training, and meet periodically with the Program Manager.
Provide supervision and training to new employees and volunteers as assigned; collaborate with and train other advocates on housing services and mobile advocacy as needed.
Give educational presentations and attend professional meetings when requested; represent the organization at community meetings about housing for homeless populations and help educate the community about policy changes affecting crime victims’ access to affordable housing.
Maintain case notes and complete financial assistance documentation, billing, and other required paperwork.
Perform work in a culturally appropriate manner consistent with the organization’s mission and philosophy and the Social Work Code of Ethics.
Ensure guest voice is incorporated into program evaluation and improvement.
Perform other duties as assigned.