Housing Stability Specialist

Caritas of Austin • Austin, TX

12h • Hybrid

About The Position

This is a full-time grant funded position. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability and continuation of grant funding. The Housing Stability Specialist provides rapid re-housing services to low-income individuals and families that have experienced homelessness, with a goal of stabilizing them in their housing situation. Direct service responsibilities include determination of eligibility for housing services; assessment of needs; intensive case management; supportive services and referrals to appropriate agencies that can address program participants’ needs related to housing, income, and well-being. The Housing Stability Specialist is responsible for maintaining accurate financial assistance records, service delivery records, and reporting requirements.

Requirements

• Minimum 1 year employed as a professional case manager assisting low-income, diverse, and underserved populations in a social services agency.
• Experience with internet, MS Office, various software, excel spreadsheets, databases.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Texas driver's license within 30 days of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree; social work or a related degree preferred.
• Master’s degree in social work or a related field, social work license.
• Past case management experience in housing programs or with people experiencing homelessness, experience with Crisis Intervention.
• HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) helpful.
• Bilingual proficiency (English and Spanish or other language).

Responsibilities

• Consistently interact with program participants using person-centered and Strength’s based approach while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Collaborate with community partners to identify families and/or individuals who are experiencing homelessness (or at-risk of homelessness).
• Conduct screenings and determine if families or individuals meet program eligibility requirements.
• Assist in housing identification, applications, move-ins, and housing sustainability.
• Communicate professionally and appropriately with property managers to maintain strong partnerships.
• Provide comprehensive case management services for diverse populations living in poverty, including people with mental health and substance abuse disorders.
• Meet regularly to assess participants’ needs and provide appropriate case management to address those needs linking clients to Caritas of Austin’s programs and other agency programs.
• Ensure that participants are safe and linked to appropriate resources following any crises.
• Facilitate and coordinate access to mental health, substance abuse, and physical health services.
• Develop and monitor individualized housing services plans with a general goal of housing stability.
• Maintain a caseload of up to seventeen households.
• Once the client is housed, 50% or more of meetings will be held within the client’s home or in a community space.
• Transport clients to agencies and services, as needed.
• Provide crisis intervention, as needed.
• A minimum of 10% of time will be spent on developing and maintaining relationships with groups in the local community or elsewhere that can assist with client resources.
• Prepare and conduct presentations about Caritas of Austin services in relation to housing stability program(s) to internal and external audiences.
• Be actively involved in community meetings pertaining to housing and other supportive services in the Austin/Travis area.
• Work with Caritas of Austin’s Landlord Outreach Specialists and community housing programs/landlords to identify and secure safe, affordable housing for clients.
• Build relationships with other service providers to enhance service delivery.
• As appropriate, work collaboratively with Caritas of Austin’s Employment Specialists to link clients to employment.
• Research and stay informed about other local employment resources.
• As appropriate, work collaboratively with Caritas of Austin’s Education Specialists to link clients to education programs.
• Research and stay informed about other educational resources.
• Attending program collaboration meetings and training sessions, internally and externally, as requested by the supervisor.
• Manage case data by entering it in a timely manner into Service Point, the database utilized by Caritas of Austin for the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Regularly prepare and maintain accurate records and reports, following the Caritas of Austin’s Housing Services Department Documentation Guidelines.
• Work cooperatively with all components of Caritas of Austin services.
• Engage in appropriate teamwork functions to provide a professional work environment and effective service delivery.
• Attend Caritas of Austin staff meetings, Housing Services Program meetings and training sessions.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, including one medical plan fully paid by Caritas of Austin for employee-only coverage, with additional plan options available.
• 20 days of PTO in year one (increasing with tenure) and 14 paid holidays.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Mileage reimbursement, monthly phone stipend, discounted memberships (e.g., LegalShield), and parking for employees working from the downtown location (if applicable).
• Caritas of Austin is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level