HOUSING SPECIALIST

Care Resource Community Health Centers, Inc.•Miami, FL

83d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Housing Specialist is responsible for coordinating with the City of Miami and upholding policies as outlined in the HOPWA Policies and Procedures Manual. This role involves computing utility allowances, tenant rent, and housing assistance. The specialist will submit packages to the City for client approval, approve moving in/out upon authorization, and investigate alleged incidents of program rule violations. They will also report changes in client household composition, income, rental assistance adjustments, and client terminations to the City of Miami. Additionally, the specialist will coordinate with landlords, assist clients in identifying suitable housing and negotiating rental agreements, and serve as a liaison between landlords and the City of Miami HOPWA program. The role also includes performing exit walkthroughs, maintaining an active caseload, screening and re-certifying clients, conducting income verifications, performing client orientations, arranging property inspections, conducting housing stability assessments, making monthly client contacts, conducting quarterly home visits, preparing documentation for program participation, maintaining progress notes, and maintaining comprehensive knowledge of community services. The specialist will also support billing through concurrent documentation.

Requirements

Bachelor degree in social work or related filed is required.
A minimum of (2) two years in similar role is required.

Responsibilities

Coordinates with the City of Miami.
Responsible for upholding policies as outlined in the HOPWA Policies and Procedures Manual.
Computes utility allowances, tenant rent and housing assistance.
Submits package to City for client approval and approves moving-in/out when authorization from City is received.
Investigates alleged incidents of program rule violations and/or abuse by clients or landlords.
Ensures that re-certification process begins at least ninety (120) days prior of expiration of certification date.
Reports to the City of Miami, changes to client’s household composition and income; adjustments to rental assistance and client terminations.
Meets with property owners and interested property owners to review Federal and local HOPWA rules and regulations, program paperwork and secure owner’s written agreement to participate in the program when appropriate.
Assists clients with identifying suitable housing and negotiating rental agreements, including reviewing lease for compliance with federal, state and local laws.
Assists tenants and landlords in resolution of housing-related issues as appropriate and serves as a liaison between the landlord and the City of Miami HOPWA program.
Requests emergency inspections when conditions are considered to be unsafe.
Performs exit walk through to ensure that the client’s deposit is returned to client and/or City of Miami upon client’s move.
Maintains an average annual active caseload as required by manager.
Screens, certifies and re-certifies prospective clients/current clients for entry into or continuation in the HOPWA long-term rental assistance program within program timeframes.
Conducts income verifications and eligibility determinations based on City requirements for certification/recertification yearly.
Performs client’s orientation to the program including rules and expectations, obligations and rights including grievance processes (both Care Resource’s and City of Miami’s).
Arranges and monitors inspection of properties for clients that are moving in/out or upon client’s request and coordinates annual inspections.
Conducts initial housing stability assessments, develops housing stability plan as a result in concert with the Ryan White Case management plan.
Acts as liaison between client and Medical Case Manager to ensure client’s continued housing stability and access to necessary services.
Makes monthly contact with clients to ensure continued client occupancy, well-being and good relationships with landlord and neighbors.
Conducts quarterly home visits to monitor client’s housing stability and condition of housing unit and assist the client in reviewing and updating his/her housing plan.
Prepares chronology and supporting documentation regarding continuation or termination of participation in the program in event of program rule violations by either client or landlord.
Maintains progress notes and progress reviews in client records as specified in agency policy, program guidelines and performance standards.
Maintains comprehensive knowledge of community services in order to apply knowledge of services to individual client needs.
Supports billing through concurrent documentation of service provided and budget activities as required (i.e. reconciling billing across data systems including: Provide, CareWare, CASEWATCH and client records).
Greets internal or external customers (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) with courtesy, making eye contact, responding with a proper tone and nonverbal language.
Listens to the internal or external customer (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) attentively, reassuring and understanding of the request and providing appropriate options or resolutions.
Provides services required by following established protocols and when needed, procure additional help to answer questions to ensure appropriate services are delivered.
Takes initiative and anticipates internal or external customer needs by engaging them in the process and following up as needed.
Prioritize internal or external customer (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) requests to ensure the prompt and effective response is provided.
Ensures proper handwashing according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Understands and appropriately acts upon the assigned role in Emergency Code System.
Understands and performs assigned roles in the organization’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).
Participates in health center developmental activities as requested.
Other duties as assigned.