Landlord-Tenant Housing Specialist

TRANSITION PROJECTS INC•Portland, OR

2d•$29 - $29•Hybrid

About The Position

The Landlord-Tenant Housing Specialist is an essential team member in the agency-wide effort to continually expand landlord partnerships and increase the number of units available to participants. This role works closely with case managers and participants across housing teams to identify housing opportunities throughout the Portland Metro area and partners with the Landlord-Tenant Relations Supervisor to cultivate long-term partnerships with landlords. This role also builds rapport with housing providers to gain knowledge of vacant units before they are publicly listed.

Requirements

The right individual for this position has a passion for helping others and a desire to work in an organization that serves people who are experiencing poverty and homelessness.
A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, OR two years of work experience in social services or property management required.
Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with partner agencies, other housing providers, case managers, participants, and property managers.
An understanding of the basics of Landlord-Tenant law, rental contracts, and fair housing requirements, to assist landlords, program participants, and case managers.
Ability to provide mediation between agencies, participants, and property and building managers.
Up-to-date familiarity with community resources and services available to assist people who are homeless.
Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team in the delivery of services to participants.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, work independently, with a functional home office setup for remote work (desk, chair, and reliable internet).
Computer literacy. Demonstrated ability to use word processing, database, spreadsheet, e-mail, and Internet programs.
Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate and comprehensive participant files and prepare statistical and narrative reports.
Valid driver’s license, liability insurability, and possession of reliable transportation required.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform daily searches to locate new affordable housing leads and update a housing inventory database with information to better match program participants with suitable housing options.
Work with case managers to match program participants’ needs, housing barriers, and housing choices with housing options that can lead to stable tenancies.
Serve as a key point of contact in developing strong partnerships and communication between the agency and new property managers, which may include developing marketing and promotional materials, landlord incentive programs, and appreciation activities.
Create and maintain a centralized database of housing applications and screening criteria.
Stay informed of various agency grants, subsidy guidelines, and specific Housing Department policies and procedures.
Provide agency staff with education, guidance, and resources to support their program participants’ housing search and retention goals.
Co-develop and facilitate educational trainings for staff, in collaboration with program leadership or subject matter experts, regarding landlord retention tools and Landlord-Tenant rights and responsibilities.
Create and update appropriate forms for use by participants and case managers in the housing process, including, but not limited to, the “Know your Lease” form, rent-sharing agreements, housing move-in checklists, etc.
Support program participants by coordinating or delivering payments and required documentation to properties as needed.
Assist in ongoing input of program data related to resolving housing-related situations that case managers or others request help with from the Landlord Engagement Program.
Maintain complete and accurate files on landlords, housing options, housing placements, and correspondence for reporting and grant purposes.
Attend housing-related community meetings for informational gathering, outreach, representation, and relationship building
Perform other duties as assigned.