Senior Housing Case Manager

Inspiration Corporation•Chicago, IL

About The Position

In an atmosphere of dignity and respect, Inspiration Corporation connects people and creates opportunity through access to social services, job training, housing, and food. Each year, Inspiration Corporation works with hundreds of resilient Chicagoans who face systemic disparities and inequities, such as homelessness, hunger, and social isolation. In order to help individuals and families overcome these barriers, we provide dedicated support coupled with housing, job training, scholarships, meals and engagement services. Inspiration Corporation meets people where they are in life, helping them access the support they need and achieve their personal goals. Inspiration Corporation programs are voluntary, and all service needs and goals are participant-driven. Our case management philosophy is strengths-based and trauma-informed. Inspiration Corporation practices harm reduction and focuses on reducing or minimizing the harm associated with high-risk behavior through motivational interviewing. At Inspiration Corporation, employees embody our mission by demonstrating the following Core Values: Integrity – We cultivate trusting, collaborative relationships rooted in mutual respect and accountability. Growth – We encourage personal development, curiosity and being open to new possibilities. Equity – We recognize each person’s inherent rights and advocate for inclusive access to resources and opportunities. Resilience – We persevere and seek solutions that celebrate our strength in the face of adversity, while practicing and encouraging self-care. Hospitality – We create uplifting, accepting, and nourishing connections with everyone who comes through our doors. Inspiration Corporation believes that these values are central to our work with participants and one another, and they create a culture we all have a stake in. Position Summary Senior Housing Case Managers support individuals and families in meeting their goals by assisting them in obtaining and maintaining housing. In addition to providing case management, Senior Housing Case Managers' positions are highly administrative and include specialized and more complex rental and leasing duties. Senior Housing Case Managers will be assigned to serve any/or all of the following populations based on program need: individuals, families, domestic violence survivors, victims of dating violence and stalking, individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, chronic health conditions, physical and mental illness and impairment, criminal justice-involvement, DCFS involvement etc. Senior Housing Case Managers could be assigned to work program model types based on program need, including: Permanent Housing, Permanent Supportive Housing, Transitional Housing, Rapid Re-Housing etc. Inspiration Corporation’s Housing Services department follows a Harm Reduction and Housing First perspective. Services are trauma-informed, participant-centered, and strengths-based.

Requirements

Access to a personal vehicle to be used regularly for home visits and meetings and valid driver’s license and insurance required. Some positions may not require access to a vehicle full-time.
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent life experience required; graduate-level studies preferred. Degrees in Social Work or related field preferred.
Two years’ work experience in case management in a non-profit setting with homeless or impoverished populations preferred and/or significant life experience preferred.
Proficiency in Windows operating environments, Microsoft Office required.
Experience with electronic record-keeping preferred.
Familiarity with the Chicago Continuum of Care, HUD and municipal and state housing laws preferred.
Ability to work independently and think critically required.
Active listening and the ability to communicate professionally both verbally and in writing.

Responsibilities

Ensure that all established program goals are met or exceeded. This includes, maintaining regular monthly contact with all assigned participants and their landlords, supporting program participants as needed to ensure they do not return to homelessness, and meeting and/or exceeding programmatic goals defined internally and by funders.
Assess new referrals’ eligibility for services and enroll eligible participants into programs in a timely fashion.
Find apartments for participants when needed, conduct inspections, establish and maintain relationships with landlords or property managers, and facilitate execution and renewal of leases. Advocate on behalf of participants to promote housing quality and stability.
Assist participants with moving and obtaining furniture, home supplies, and other needs
Assess participants’ potential barriers to maintaining stable housing. Provide them with coaching, support and referrals to improve housing retention, stability, quality of life and self-sufficiency (e.g. providing support with: budgeting life skills, tenancy skills, communication skills etc.)
Work with assigned participants to assist in the creation of goal-based action plans and revise them when necessary.
Provide coaching, case management and other support to make progress on their goal-based action plans including working with partners and children. Maintain regular contact, including visits to participants’ apartments.
Support participants in meeting their employment goals with referrals or direct services.
Provide resources, referrals and follow-up for household members to meet families’ comprehensive needs and advocate on behalf of participants to ensure they receive needed services.
Identify strategies to address any short-term or chronic issues, such as substance use or mental illness, which might compromise achievement of goals and trigger relapse into homelessness.
Ensure that all school-age children are enrolled in school by obtaining necessary documentation and that children under 5 have appropriate developmental assessments.
Maintain case notes on participants' progress and complete all required tracking and reports in a timely manner.
Work with housing staff to organize and facilitate tenant surveys, obtain tenant feedback and facilitate tenant meetings as needed.
Maintain appropriate and timely data collection and reporting as required for internal management reports, external funding sources, and regulatory agencies.
Prepare for and participate in program audits.
Provide suggestions to senior staff to develop new or modify existing services, policies and protocols to meet the needs of program participants in alignment with the agency’s strategic directions.
Contribute to the development and evaluation of the housing program.
Complete timely rent certifications and recertifications as required and when requested by program participants. Send (re)certifications reminders in advance and work closely with the program participant to ensure accuracy is achieved when conducting (re)certifications. Properly notify participant of rent changes/updates.
Monitor utility allowance changes annually and update tenant portions. Promptly rectify missing, short, and late rent and utility payments.
Collect W-9’s from landlords and review for accuracy. Draft and review leases and riders to ensure compliance with city, state, and federal laws.
Respond in a timely fashion to 5-day, 10-day, 30-day (and other) non-compliance notices. Quickly outreach and correspond with program leadership and general counsel to address tenancy violations, concerns, notices, and other pertinent matters as they arise.
Create payment plans and help participants to resolve rent arrears
Perform housing quality, lead-based paint visual, and other apartment inspections as required. Promptly follow up on reports of Elevated Blood Levels (EBL)
Conduct manual and automated rent reasonableness assessments
Liase with landlords to prevent and address any issues that would impact participants’ housing stability.