Housing Specialist

Vivent Health•Milwaukee, WI

19d

About The Position

The Housing Specialist will play a crucial role in facilitating access to stable housing for individuals facing housing challenges. You will collaborate with community partners to expand housing resources for diverse client needs and to increase program effectiveness. Your responsibilities will include guiding clients through the housing process, collaborating with community housing resources, and ensuring that individuals have the support they need for housing stability.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Health, or a related field, or equivalent lived experience.
Coordinate and administer rent assistance programs, ensuring efficient and timely delivery of services.
Provide guidance and assistance with housing applications, eligibility criteria, and lease agreements.
Worked or Lived experience in social services, housing, or a related field.
Experience working in healthcare and social service systems.
Familiarity with local housing resources, rental markets, and housing support services.
Experience working with housing assistance programs, including knowledge of eligibility criteria, application processes, and documentation requirement.
Experience working with basic office and database computer programs, including familiarity with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, and Tableau.
Understanding of rental applications and online tenant screening process.
Basic Understanding of HMIS and ability to document in the system.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Empathy and understanding of diverse cultural perspectives.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
Problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
Commitment to upholding ethical standards and confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with HIV/AIDS and related issues and/or experience working with people with a life-threatening illness.
Experience in providing services to persons encountering problems of homelessness, poverty, unemployment, substance use disorders, and behavioral health issues.
Experience with harm reduction, motivational interviewing, cultural inclusivity, and trauma- informed care.
Knowledge/experience of housing subsidy programs.

Responsibilities

Conduct housing assessments and work closely with individuals to understand their housing needs and eligibility for rent assistance programs.
Recognize and address the intersectionality of housing and health, ensuring a holistic approach to client care.
Develop and implement individualized housing plans tailored to each client's unique circumstances addressing barriers to housing stability.
Collaborate with housing providers, landlords, and community organizations to secure housing options.
Provide guidance and education on the rental process, lease agreements, and tenant rights and responsibilities.
Connect clients with supportive services, financial assistance programs, employment resources, and other relevant resources.
Monitor client progress, conduct regular check-ins, conduct home visits and inspections for long term housing programs, and provide ongoing support to maintain housing.
Advocate on behalf of clients to secure safe and stable housing options.
Navigate housing systems and collaborate with landlords, property managers, and housing authorities.
Stay informed about local housing resources and proactively identify new opportunities.
Respond to housing crises promptly, providing support and intervention to prevent homelessness.
Collaborate with community partners and resources to help participants to mitigate issues with credit reports, utility arrears, criminal records, past evictions, unfavorable landlord references, and other issues which may impact housing eligibility.
Collaborate with healthcare providers, especially Vivent Health Care Teams, to integrate housing solutions into overall health plans.
Build and maintain positive relationships with landlords, property owners, and property management companies.
Ensure that lease terms align with the needs and preferences of individuals receiving services.
Facilitate the placement of clients into stable and supportive housing.
Conduct market research to identify housing trends, availability, and opportunities in the local community.
Provide participants with listings of potential housing options in alignment with their needs and geographic preferences.
Stay informed about housing policies and regulations that may impact client placements.
Maintain up-to-date and accurate records of housing placements, lease agreements, landlord interactions, client interactions, housing plans, and outcomes.
Maintain accurate and confidential client records, documenting assistance provided.
Need to follow all HIPAA and PHI requirements.
Adhere to all agency policies, including but not limited to Confidentiality, Employee Handbook, Health Care Corporate Compliance Plan, Standards of Conduct, training, and other relevant policies.