Housing Support Specialist

HIV Alliance•Medford, OR

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Housing Support Specialist (HSS) works in collaboration with the Supportive Housing Program care team who provide medical and non-medical case management, peer support, and behavioral health therapy to program clients. The HSS supports the program by assisting clients with lease education, unit maintenance triage and coordination, and landlord communication, with the ultimate goal of helping the client maintain long-term housing stability and increased independent living skills. The HSS is responsible for establishing and maintaining professional relationships, set-aside units, property managers, and community partners. The position also works closely with clients to review lease paperwork, support lease understanding and compliance, collect rent and utility subsidy payments, and mediate tenant-landlord conflicts as needed. The HSS serves as the landlord liaison for program clients, providing a bridge of communication between the client and landlord to help reduce a barrier for clients who may be unfamiliar with being on a lease, expectations for their tenancy, and how to appropriately communicate with their landlord and neighbors and coordinate with them on unit maintenance and cleaning. The HSS routinely travels to and inspects units for lease compliance, rent reasonableness, and maintenance concerns. This position helps model and teach appropriate boundaries and tenancy behavior to clients as needed, with a client-centered and trauma-informed approach.

Requirements

Minimum 2 years of full-time relevant experience in property management or maintenance, and/or in supportive housing model
One year of experience working with vulnerable populations
TB test (provided at agency)
Valid Oregon driver’s license, or valid out of state driver’s license with the ability to get an Oregon driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency in Oregon, and a driving record sufficient to be covered by agency auto insurance policy.
Ability to pass agency criminal background check

Nice To Haves

Bilingual candidates are eligible for an additional $1.50 Bilingual Differential.

Responsibilities

Support residents to understand and comply with lease and resolve issues that may threaten their housing stability.
Work with landlords regarding concerns about unit or community issues related to client resident behavior
Research and identify suitable housing options, including motel placements, permanent supportive housing, and emergency shelters.
Advocate for client needs with prospective landlords.
Collect monthly rent subsidy payments from residents.
Work with residents who are having difficulty paying rent to develop rent payment plans.
Provide mediation support to help resolve tenant & landlord disputes, working with the housing program team, tenants, and property managers
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of client interactions, placements, services provided, and progress updates in agency databases.
Complete all proper documentation required to lease apartment and at 12-month lease renewal / income recertification, including but not limited to: leasing paperwork, habitability inspection, rent reasonableness certification, and client payment agreements.
Process and collect necessary eligibility documents including Authorization for Release of Information.
Respond to client crises, including eviction prevention and emergency relocation assistance, and follow up.
Refer clients to local resources as needed and follow up.
Build partnerships with local property managers, landlords, housing authorities, and shelters to enhance housing placement opportunities.
Attend relevant community meetings and participate in ongoing training and professional development.
Comply with all applicable program standards, guidelines, laws and administrative rules.
Ability to work well with others, handle stress appropriately, have reliable attendance
Ability to use personal cell phone to run agency phone system software, MFA, etc.
Other tasks as assigned, including training/cross-training other staff as needed