Senior Housing Specialist

Westhab, Inc•New York, NY

11d•$50,000 - $55,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Housing Specialist supervises Housing Specialists who work with clients living in a homeless family shelter to identify permanent housing, arrange housing placements, and submit housing packages. The role works with landlords, management companies, DHS, and Case Management staff to support housing placements and compliance with applicable housing requirements. The position also prepares housing packages and housing-related reports, maintains information about available housing, and helps identify new housing opportunities for clients. Westhab describes itself as a community development organization providing housing and supportive services to more than 10,000 vulnerable community members each year. The organization emphasizes high expectations, results, empowerment, and impact. Westhab states that it complies with applicable OSHA standards, rules, and regulations and works to keep workplaces free of serious recognized hazards.

Requirements

Work experience negotiating lease agreements with landlords and/or realtor management companies.
Experience providing housing for special-needs populations.
Knowledge of applicable state and city housing and disability laws and codes.
Demonstrated history of working within the NYC DHS system and successfully placing homeless clients in permanent housing.
Valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Experience with staff supervision is highly desirable.
Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide supervision and training to Housing Specialists.
Review housing packages and case notes to ensure proper documentation of housing placement attempts.
Prepare weekly and monthly housing reports for the Program Director.
Interface with landlords and management companies to establish working relationships.
Create and maintain a liaison with the DHS Housing Placement Unit.
Oversee landlord and management company compliance with established housing laws, building codes, and lease agreements.
Work with Case Management to identify clients who are ready for housing.
Resolve crises or conflicts involving landlords and management relationships.
Ensure uniform application of fair housing standards when securing apartments.
Develop and maintain a database of available housing options.
Identify new housing opportunities for clients through ongoing networks.
Prepare or coordinate reports and related information concerning housing codes and compliance.
Inform Case Management staff about unit readiness and problems with clients maintaining units.
Prepare housing packages, including HRA 2010E applications, General Population Housing Packages, HPD, Section 8, CityFHEPS, SOTA, and NYCHA packages.
Collaborate with Case Management staff on psychosocial applications and help obtain needed documents.