Housing Specialist

Hope Solutions•Richmond, CA

2d•$28 - $32

About The Position

Hope Solutions seeks an energetic, dedicated Housing Specialist for its Tiny Village Spirit (TVS) program, supporting youth aged 18–24. The program provides a safe living environment and helps participants build skills for independent living. In collaboration with the Program Manager, Village Coordinator, and community partners, the Housing Specialist reinforces individualized service plans that help youth stabilize, develop essential life skills, and progress toward long-term housing and self-identified goals. Case management is participant-driven and uses strength-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approaches. The position has no supervisory responsibility. The Housing Specialist maintains contact with participants, conducts home visits and assessments, supports service planning and housing stability, provides referrals and coordination with community services, and assists with housing searches, landlord issues, and required paperwork. The role also includes administrative documentation, meetings, compliance with professional and organizational requirements, and possible on-call, after-hours, and backup work. The position involves office-based computer and documentation tasks, home visits that may require climbing stairs, walking with participants up to half a mile, 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 depends on skills and experience. Sponsorship is not available; candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Requirements

Knowledge of and belief in the Housing First philosophy and strategies.
Passion for and 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; housing retention barriers such as substance abuse, mental health, or income challenges are preferred areas of experience.
Knowledge of HUD requirements, or willingness to learn them, including tenant certifications; experience with HUD-funded properties is also relevant.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Computer proficiency, including Microsoft and database applications.
Operational vehicle, auto insurance, valid California driver’s license, and willingness to drive for work.
Ability to pass LiveScan screening and a TB test.
Ability to climb stairs, walk with consumers up to half a mile, sit at a desk for up to three hours at a time, occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds, and drive—including at night.
Must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish.
Experience with housing retention barriers such as substance abuse, mental health, or income challenges.
Experience working with HUD-funded properties.

Responsibilities

Maintain awareness of culturally diverse consumer populations and attend to cultural needs in performing duties.
Maintain contact with consumers in the caseload and provide home visits according to identified need.
Conduct comprehensive psychosocial, life skills, and financial assessments.
Develop and monitor individual or family service plans collaboratively with consumers, encouraging independent action and providing assistance as appropriate.
Provide case management support, including budgeting assistance, access to benefits and services, accompaniment to medical or mental health appointments, and support for housing stability.
Provide supportive mental health interventions as needed, including 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 their service plans.
As needed, help consumers locate units with landlords or property managers who accept voucher payments, negotiate housing issues, and support access to quality, habitable homes.
With consumer permission, collaborate with providers to address issues that could put consumers at risk of eviction.
Assist with consumer certification and verification paperwork as needed.
Adapt appropriately and effectively to cultural and identity-based differences and foster an environment that values individual experiences, cultures, backgrounds, and goals.
Complete the new employee onboarding process, including reading and discussing a chapter of The Color of Law.
Represent Hope Solutions professionally and comply with confidentiality, HIPAA, consumer rights, advocacy, and safety requirements.
Comply with local, state, and federal regulations and Hope Solutions policies and procedures.
Complete administrative paperwork and reports accurately and on time.
Attend required staff, team, consumer case conference, and interagency linkage meetings.
Complete personnel paperwork and expenditure reports for food supplies, petty cash, and mileage accurately and on time.
Document services promptly.
Assist with generating data for reports and funding applications as needed.
Perform other assigned duties and responsibilities.
Provide on-call, after-hours, or backup work when required.
Make home visits that may involve climbing stairs; accompany consumers on walks to local resources up to half a mile; perform desk and computer work; occasionally lift and carry items up to 25 pounds; and drive to appointments or consumer homes, including at night.