Senior Housing Specialist

Hope Solutions•Pleasant Hill, CA

14d•$30 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

Hope Solutions is hiring a Senior Housing Specialist to provide housing search and placement support, home-based case management, and community resource referrals to homeless families enrolled in the CalWORKs program across Contra Costa County. The role partners closely with Employment Specialists and referring CalWORKs case managers from the Employment & Human Services Department to support housing stability and self-sufficiency. The specialist assesses housing needs and barriers, develops Housing Stability Plans with families, connects them with resources, and may coordinate time-limited subsidy support. After placement, the specialist continues to support housing retention and makes warm hand-offs when additional services are needed. Services are participant-driven, strength-based, trauma-informed, and delivered in the community and at home according to family needs. The position has no supervisory responsibility. The Senior Housing Specialist may assist the Program Manager with onboarding and staff training, intake and assessment processes, data and reporting, staff support, and external representation, and is expected to handle at least one responsibility in each listed subsection. The role also provides team members with assistance assessing client needs and planning services. This is a mobile position involving work across multiple locations and travel to clients and partners. New program employees generally work on-site for their first 90 calendar days unless an exception is approved. Staff are expected to spend approximately six hours per day in face-to-face work and two hours on administration and documentation, though hours may be averaged over a week or month with supervisor approval. Schedules may change to meet operational and client needs. Work from home requires advance written approval. On-call, after-hours, and backup work may be required. Hope Solutions is a nonprofit agency founded in 1991 that provides permanent housing and support services to homeless or at-risk families and individuals in Contra Costa County. Its mission is to heal the effects of poverty and homelessness through permanent housing and vital support services.

Requirements

Knowledge of and belief in the Housing First philosophy and strategies.
Passion for and demonstrated experience successfully supporting vulnerable populations, especially homeless clients with mental disabilities.
Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
At least two years of experience in the human service field.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
Computer proficiency, including Microsoft and database applications.
An operational vehicle, auto insurance, and a valid California driver’s license; willingness to drive for work.
Must pass LiveScan screening and a TB test.
Ability to climb stairs to second- or third-floor apartments without elevators during home visits.
Ability to accompany clients on walks of up to one-half mile to community resources.
Ability to perform desk-based duties, including computer work and documentation, for up to three hours at a time.
Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds, including furnishings, files, and donations.
Ability to drive and transport clients to appointments or home visits, including at night.
Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience with housing retention barriers such as substance use, mental health, and/or income challenges.
Knowledge of HUD requirements, including tenant certifications, or experience working with HUD-funded properties; willingness to learn these requirements.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Responsibilities

Maintain regular client contact and conduct home visits based on assessed needs.
Complete psychosocial, life skills, financial, and housing needs assessments and develop plans to secure safe, sustainable housing.
Research housing opportunities, help clients select suitable options, address screening barriers, and prepare application verification documents.
Provide housing resources and educate clients about leases and tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities.
Transport clients to prospective landlords, application appointments, and potential housing units for inspection.
Collaborate with clients to develop and monitor individual or family housing support plans, encouraging independence while providing assistance.
Support clients with budgeting, benefits, service access, medical and mental health appointments, and housing stability.
Provide or coordinate mental health interventions, including crisis management.
Connect clients with medical, mental health, addiction and recovery, financial, legal, and other community services; coordinate care with department staff and community partners.
Work with community partners to assess housing barriers and the needs of eligible clients experiencing homelessness.
Maintain relationships with community service providers, Probation referral sources, and Coordinated Entry programs.
Develop outreach and marketing strategies to identify landlords and build housing inventory; present to relevant community and industry audiences.
Coordinate with Hope Solutions brokered housing and property management staff regarding shared housing resources.
Mediate and advocate with landlords on clients’ behalf to help obtain or maintain housing.
Maintain clear verbal and written communication among tenants, landlords, referral sources, service agencies, debtors, and creditors.
Demonstrate cultural responsiveness, respect for cultural and identity-based differences, and commitment to social and housing justice.
Complete new employee onboarding, including reading and discussing a chapter of The Color of Law.
Represent Hope Solutions professionally and comply with agency policies and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
Follow professional ethics and HIPAA requirements, protect client confidentiality and rights, advocate for clients, and ensure their safety.
Complete administrative and personnel paperwork, reports, and expense documentation accurately and on time.
Document services promptly and assist with data for reports and funding applications.
Attend required staff and team meetings, case conferences, and meetings with partner agencies.
Assist the Program Manager with at least one responsibility in each of the onboarding, client intake and assessment, data and reporting, and managerial support and external representation subsections.
Participate in hiring, train staff on team-specific practices and documentation, support HMIS/Apricot use, and provide staff shadowing opportunities.
Train and assist staff with program paperwork and documentation; maintain contract liaison and referral-source relationships and serve as a contact when the manager is absent.
Review and customize HMIS/Apricot reports, monitor program outcomes, track subsidy requests, and participate in quarterly data and finance meetings.
Provide guidance and feedback to staff, serve as a point of contact when the manager is unavailable, and represent Hope Solutions at external meetings.
Assist team members as needed with client needs assessments and service planning.
Perform other duties as assigned.