Housing Specialist - Shelter Services

Lutheran Social Services of New York•New York, NY

1d•$51,358 - $51,358•Onsite

About The Position

The Housing Specialist provides assistance, information, and support to participants at a family shelter to help them find safe, appropriate housing of their choice, using subsidies and other available resources to maintain residential stability. The role promotes participants’ self-sufficiency, community integration, and permanent housing. This is an essential-worker position requiring on-site completion of critical participant services during emergencies, including severe weather, nationwide pandemics, civil unrest, and other public-safety emergencies. The Housing Specialist assesses participants’ housing and service needs, helps address housing barriers, supports housing searches and negotiations, and coordinates with government agencies, community organizations, property owners, landlords, and brokers. The role also provides tenant-rights information, referrals, workshops, case closure support, documentation, and follow-up home visits to promote stability and progress toward self-sufficiency.

Requirements

Minimum high school diploma or equivalent.
At least 3 years of experience in human services.
Knowledge of and belief in the Housing First philosophy and strategies.
Knowledge of the New York City housing market, entitlement programs, social service agencies, community services, housing subsidies, and public benefits programs.
Knowledge of regulatory standards and property management.
Good communication, interpersonal, and listening skills.
Strong analytical, mediating, and negotiation skills.
Excellent organizational and case-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple caseloads across different sites.
Sensitivity to intersectionality and different cultures, knowledge of housing equality, and demonstrated ability to work within a social and racial justice framework.
Creative thinking and an adaptive personality.
Commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems and conviction about people’s capacity to grow and change.
Ability to establish appropriate limits with people served to help them gain skills and confidence.
Ability to work collaboratively with personnel, service providers, and other professionals.
Ability to maintain an empowering role with participants and intervene appropriately to meet service goals.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel.
Flexibility to work some early or late schedules, holidays, and weekends.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, or a related field.
Experience as a Housing Specialist working with homeless and/or underserved populations.
Bilingual English/Spanish.
Knowledge of CARES.

Responsibilities

Assess participants’ eligibility and determine their housing and service needs.
Identify and work to eliminate housing barriers, including through budget counseling.
Help participants search for available properties and negotiate terms on their behalf.
Collaborate with government agencies, community organizations, and property owners.
Develop, cultivate, and maintain housing resources, including relationships with landlords and brokers.
Ensure participants understand their rights and responsibilities as tenants.
Investigate and resolve issues involving clients and landlords.
Provide information and refer participants to additional support programs and services.
Transport participants when necessary, including to open houses, apartment viewings, and lease signings.
Prepare and maintain daily logs, records, activity documentation, and reports; issue residency letters as needed.
Ensure compliance with funder expectations and goals related to housing searches.
Understand and adhere to program rules and restrictions.
Host on-site housing-ready workshops.
Assist with case closures.
Conduct proactive follow-up home visits to support housing stability and progress toward self-sufficiency, including advocacy, problem-solving, reducing isolation, listening, and identifying community reintegration resources.