Housing Specialist (Cauldwell)

Childrens Rescue Fund•New York, NY

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Housing Specialist is responsible for all facets of client case management as it relates to a client's efforts to secure permanent housing. The Housing Specialist will use HPD incentives for finders’ fees to brokers and owners, and develop contacts with both not-for-profit and for-profit housing developers. This role is responsible for ensuring that all clients are familiar with New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) forms and procedures, as well as the procedures for all other housing programs offered. This role is responsible for working at our Cauldwell location in New York City to enable the successful relocation of families to permanent housing.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an Associate’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or Human Services is strongly preferred, and at least a High School Diploma/GED is required
At least one (l) year of experience in social services, counseling, crisis intervention, family services, preventive services, or housing services is required
Valid New York State driver’s license and an insurable driving record is required
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Excellent interpersonal skills and must be computer literate in Microsoft Office

Responsibilities

Must fully understand the New York City Department of Homeless Services – Client Responsibility Procedures, and be able to explain it to clients during the Housing Intake
Must ensure that all clients sign the “Permanent Housing Agreement” form within 10 days of their arrival
Maintain open lines of communication with the Director of Social Services and Case Managers to resolve any issues that might prevent a client from securing permanent housing
Ensure all clients are completing and returning the “Apartment Review” and/or the “Client Apartment Rejection Form”
Inform all clients of their responsibility to “visit/view two (2)” apartments per week and support this with documentation
Ensure all relevant housing applications are fully completed within 90 days of a family becoming eligible for shelter services, forwarded to their designated destinations on-time, and that a copy is maintained in the case record
Utilize the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) - Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES) to complete family intake assessment, service plan/independent living plan, housing, next step conferences/transfers, incident reports, progress notes, etc.
Utilize the DHS Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES) to review accessible information from the Human Resource Administration, Administration for Children Services, Department of Probation, Department of Homeless Services, etc.
Utilize the DHS Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES) to ensure that all information is updated in the system in a timely fashion as required by DHS
Document and follow-up on all housing appointments and permanent housing applications
Verify all housing rejections, including the reason for such rejection
Accompany a family on housing searches when appropriate
Provide on-going housing education to clients through workshops and/or individual counseling
If applicable, provide clients with a list of suitable available apartments in a location consistent with a client's “Domestic Violence” status, and advise clients of their responsibility for seeking additional apartments on their own
Meet and/or exceed the Housing Placement Goals set by the New York City Department of Homeless Services
Review the DSS/APD Housing placements and projected placements weekly
Complete reports as required