Housing Specialist

COMMUNITY HOUSING INNOVATIONS INC•Wading River, NY

1d•$22 - $52,083•Onsite

About The Position

CHI is looking for a full-time Housing Specialist for our Wading River location. You will be responsible for ensuring that all program participants are provided with the services necessary to locate, acquire, maintain, and retain permanent housing and are living in well-maintained units. This is accomplished by performing the following functions: Adhere to and enforce program regulations, policies, and procedures. Ensure that all clients are receiving quality services that are in compliance with the program. Assist clients in locating housing within their specified budgets. Provide information, referrals, and advocacy services for local and out of state housing. Develop and maintain a resource network for referrals as related to housing including realtors, landlords, housing complexes, and Section 8 offices. Collaborate with DSS, property owners/brokers, and other service providers. Responsible for face-to-face meetings with clients – frequency is dependent on client and program needs, but no less than once a month. Inspect living spaces regularly in accordance with OTDA and local district policy. Evaluate, document, and inform supervisor of site needs. Assist with building positive relationships between clients and property owners or representatives. Responsible for collecting and reviewing housing logs, housing packets, housing program enrollment, and DSS paperwork. Provide knowledge to clients in maintaining permanent housing. Submit all internal and external reports in a timely and correct manner as required by funding agencies and/or CHI (housing logs, unit inspection sheets, progress notes, as required by DSS). Complete unit inspections and assist in bi-weekly extermination. Accompany clients to housing appointments, inspections, etc. when needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in human services or related field preferred.
Two years’ experience working in a related field such as homelessness or housing preferred.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Proficiency in English required, bi-lingual (Spanish) is a plus.
Basic competency in MS Windows, MS Office, and internet usage.
Ability to formulate simple financial budgets.
Ability to make home visits (walk distances, climb several flights of stairs, etc.).
Ability to prioritize, make appropriate decisions and judgment calls.
Ability to relate to the underserved, homeless and disabled populations.
Ability to work independently or as part of a team, be highly organized, assume responsibility, work well under pressure, meet deadlines, multitask, be flexible, and maintain a high level of attention to details.

Responsibilities

Adhere to and enforce program regulations, policies, and procedures.
Ensure that all clients are receiving quality services that are in compliance with the program.
Assist clients in locating housing within their specified budgets.
Provide information, referrals, and advocacy services for local and out of state housing.
Develop and maintain a resource network for referrals as related to housing including realtors, landlords, housing complexes, and Section 8 offices.
Collaborate with DSS, property owners/brokers, and other service providers.
Responsible for face-to-face meetings with clients – frequency is dependent on client and program needs, but no less than once a month.
Inspect living spaces regularly in accordance with OTDA and local district policy.
Evaluate, document, and inform supervisor of site needs.
Assist with building positive relationships between clients and property owners or representatives.
Responsible for collecting and reviewing housing logs, housing packets, housing program enrollment, and DSS paperwork.
Provide knowledge to clients in maintaining permanent housing.
Submit all internal and external reports in a timely and correct manner as required by funding agencies and/or CHI (housing logs, unit inspection sheets, progress notes, as required by DSS).
Complete unit inspections and assist in bi-weekly extermination.
Accompany clients to housing appointments, inspections, etc. when needed.