Housing Specialist (Bronx)

Care For the Homeless•Manhattan, NY

About The Position

The Housing Specialist manages and directs a comprehensive program of support, safety, and success for women, including housing, counseling, benefit entitlements, program placement, health and educational programs, and case management. The role works as part of the Social Services team and supports clients in finding and maintaining housing, accessing entitlements, and navigating landlord-tenant relationships. The position requires flexible hours to meet client needs, including working at least one late night or more if needed. The employee may drive the agency van as necessary and perform other duties related to the Housing Specialist position. The job description notes that duties and responsibilities may change. The posting also includes a separate statement about a dentist providing scheduled patient care for 35 hours per week; this does not appear to describe the Housing Specialist role.

Requirements

Two or more years of experience working with people who are mentally ill, medically frail, or homeless.
Experience working with housing entitlements.
Exceptional knowledge of regional housing, supportive housing, Section 8, and other rental assistance programs.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong computer skills.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Valid driver’s license preferred.
Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess clients’ housing histories and independent living skills.
Help clients identify negative credit history that may affect apartment searches or create issues with brokers and landlords.
Identify available housing resources and maintain an up-to-date directory of those resources.
Meet individually with tenants about tenants’ rights, home maintenance and upkeep, and landlord-tenant relationships.
Maintain required case records in written and computer-generated forms and report on them during regular supervisory meetings.
Maintain required housing records in Cares.
Complete and submit HRA-2010E applications.
Work with DHS and housing entitlements.
Coordinate housing contracts, referrals, and follow-up with service providers, including DHS.
Document counseling, referrals, and discharge-planning activities in client folders.
Participate in case conferences, staff meetings, and other assigned meetings and trainings.
Adhere to DHS timeframes for permanent housing placement.
Attend required DHS meetings.
Work flexible hours to meet client needs, including at least one late night or more if needed.
Drive the agency van as necessary.
Perform other duties related to the Housing Specialist position.