Housing Support Client Specialist

Mental Health Resources•Saint Paul, MN

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Housing Support Client Specialist is responsible for housing support client coordination and benefit administration for MHR's Housing Support Program. This position coordinates and maintains program output consistent with agency standards and coordinates program goals and activities to ensure targeted outcomes are achieved. MHR is committed to working towards racial equity and combating racism. MHR is a tobacco free workplace promoting health & wellness for the individuals we serve and our employees.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Spanish speaking, Hmong speaking, and Somali speaking candidates are desired.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in human services-related field preferred.
Experience in housing administration, benefit/voucher administration, bookkeeping, housing stabilization services, supportive housing, or other community-based services with adults recovering from mental illness, chemical dependency, and other disabilities strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Complete all activities related to obtaining and maintaining housing, such as educating recipients about tenant rights and responsibilities, offering resources for legal assistance or services/supports, advocating for recipients with counties, coordinating with landlords, ensuring recipient understanding of program and benefit policies, and assisting recipients with obtaining and maintaining housing support benefit.
Communicate and consult with recipient and/or service providers to make sure necessary paperwork is obtained on behalf of recipient to ensure benefit compliance, and provide guidance with matters such as tenant’s specific housing needs.
Provide supportive response, intervention, and resource provision to individuals during a housing-related crisis.
Help identify benefits that tenants are or could be utilizing (e.g. SNAP, SSI, waivers) and discuss housing options and the Housing Support benefit.
Support tenants to pay their portion of rent and follow the terms of their lease.
Request and/or administer pooled funds on behalf of tenant.
Ensure recipient confidentiality and privacy that complies with MHR policies and procedures/HIPAA/MN Medical Records Act.
Process tenant referrals and applications, ensuring program application packets are complete, valid, and accurate before submission.
Schedule and conduct program briefings with clients upon entry and as needed.
Execute and track fund administration for rent, utilities, deposits, and other eligible housing expenses for program participants.
Document incoming and outgoing payments using spreadsheets and housing payment software.
Communicate effectively and maintain positive working relationships with benefit recipients, service providers, county workers, and property owners and managers.
Collect and verify income documentation and other required verifications.
Perform calculations to determine appropriate payment amounts and to estimate award portions.
Perform habitability inspections as needed.
Research and make information available for clients regarding properties available for rent and additional resources that may be helpful, including food shares, tax assistance, free phone and internet offerings, and other housing-related resources.
Attend and participate in housing provider meetings and committees as assigned.
Maintain accurate, thorough and professional recipient records.
Data collection, data entry and required reporting for all applicable DHS, HUD, State and County requirements.
Assume other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Benefits

4-Day Work Week Option Available
Mental Health Resources
Salary bonus for passing language proficiency exam ($1000)
Initial orientation program
On-going in-house training program
iPhone provided
Laptop computer provided
Wi-Fi provided
Health insurance (including family health coverage) with employee costs in the top 6% of most affordable health care options.
Competitive dental insurance.
Automatic enrollment in retirement plan after 1 year with a 3% employer contribution.
9 paid holidays
18 days accrued PTO during your first year.
Annual merit-based salary increases.