Housing Stabilization Specialist

Public Health Management Corporation•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

The Housing Stabilization Specialist works in the Rapid Rehousing (RRH) program within PHMC’s Housing & Justice Related Services in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Your Way Home Montgomery County uses a Housing First approach, prioritizing permanent housing as the foundation for stability. RRH provides housing-focused case management and financial assistance to households experiencing literal homelessness, helping them move quickly into permanent housing and sustain long-term stability through personalized support before and after move-in. This primarily field-based position involves approximately 60% travel for home visits and community activities, plus one required in-office day per week. The Specialist carries a caseload and provides individualized housing-focused case management, housing placement support, financial literacy and budget counseling, referrals, crisis intervention, and coordination with landlords and community partners. The role also requires timely documentation and reporting in accordance with program, agency, and funder requirements, including HMIS and HUD-related documentation. The program follows Housing First principles: housing access is not conditional on sobriety, treatment compliance, or service participation. This full-time position is grant-funded and contingent upon renewal of the grant.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 3 years of direct service experience in a related field, such as homelessness, housing instability, substance use disorders, behavioral health challenges, or domestic violence.
At least 1 year of case management experience.
Knowledge of the Housing First model, its principles, and Rapid Rehousing best practices.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care and strengths-based, person-centered case management.
Knowledge of the Progressive Engagement Model and motivational interviewing techniques.
Knowledge of social service programming and community resources in Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties.
Knowledge of federal HUD CoC program requirements and HMIS reporting standards.
Knowledge of fair housing laws, residential tenant rights and responsibilities, and lease compliance.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, and current software applications.
Knowledge of basic financial literacy principles, budgeting practices, and benefits programs.
Commitment to Housing First principles, under which housing access is not contingent on sobriety, treatment compliance, or service participation.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, public health, or a related field.
Housing-focused case management experience.
Experience working with individuals in their homes.
Experience with HMIS or similar case management data systems.

Responsibilities

Assess housing barriers to determine participants’ housing needs, service eligibility, and appropriate program interventions.
Complete RRH intake assessments, eligibility documentation, lease signings, move-in inspections, rent reasonableness documentation, and other required program procedures.
Help participants search for and identify rental units that meet program and HUD Fair Market Rent standards while promoting participant choice.
Coordinate move-in logistics, including utility setup, procurement of essential household items, and connection to community resources.
Maintain working knowledge of the local rental market, affordable housing inventory, and HUD Fair Market Rent standards in Montgomery County.
Carry a caseload and provide individualized, strengths-based case management throughout program enrollment.
Develop, implement, and update individualized Housing Stability Plans with each participant at least monthly, focused on stable housing, increased household income, and family stabilization and support.
Conduct scheduled and unscheduled home visits to assess housing conditions, participant well-being, and progress toward goals.
Provide follow-up and crisis intervention for threats to housing stability, including lease violations, utility shut-offs, and landlord or neighbor disputes.
Educate participants about tenant rights and responsibilities using knowledge of residential lease contracts.
Serve as a liaison among participants, property managers, referral sources, collaborating agencies, and other stakeholders.
Support participants in building community connections and natural support networks.
Help participants develop monthly spending plans and budgets based on income, expenses, and housing costs.
Provide budget counseling and financial literacy education, including assistance with payment plans for current bills and past debts.
Partner with employment support services to increase household income and reduce reliance on program subsidies.
Connect participants with mainstream financial resources, benefits programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI, TANF, and LIHEAP, and banking services as applicable.
Monitor participants’ financial stability and rent-to-income ratios monthly and adjust plans as needed.
Develop and maintain a timely referral network to social service agencies, community programs, and supportive resources.
Identify participant strengths and barriers, help reduce barriers, and link participants to services that promote permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
Make warm referrals, follow up to confirm connections, and document referral outcomes.
Coordinate services with community partners to support comprehensive, non-duplicative service plans and advocate across systems as needed.
Maintain accurate and timely case records, monthly outcome reports, and participant files in compliance with program, agency, and funder requirements.
Collect and report required program data, including HMIS and funder-required data elements.
Maintain working files containing required OHS documentation and HUD CoC paperwork.
Participate in file reviews, quality assurance monitoring, and compliance activities.
Assume additional responsibilities as assigned by the Program Manager.