SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALIST - HOUSING SUPPORT SERVICES

La Crosse County•La Crosse, WI

51d•$24 - $32•Hybrid

About The Position

This position exists to help individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability secure and sustain safe, stable housing through intensive, person-centered housing navigation and tenancy support services. The Social Service Specialist works directly with participants to reduce barriers to housing, identify and secure appropriate units, and provide ongoing support to maintain housing stability. This role delivers services consistent with the 1915(i) Medicaid Housing Support Services benefit, including housing transition and housing sustaining services. Responsibilities include completing assessments, developing person-centered housing plans, delivering billable services aligned with Medicaid definitions, and maintaining compliant, timely documentation. The position provides hands-on housing navigation, case management, and coordination for individuals who may also experience mental health concerns, substance use challenges, or barriers related to daily living skills. Success in this role is measured by tangible housing outcomes, including placement into housing, reduced returns to homelessness, and sustained tenancy. This role is highly collaborative, requiring coordination across La Crosse County Human Services, landlords, property managers, community providers, and homelessness response system partners. There is a strong preference for candidates who bring lived experience to the role.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Demonstrated ability to manage detailed documentation and follow-through.
Must be patient, adaptable, and able to maintain a calm, professional demeanor in dynamic environments.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation, with ability to travel throughout city and rural areas and occasionally transport clients.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in human services or related field, or Peer Support Specialist certification, preferred.
Preferred experience in housing navigation, homelessness outreach, or supportive housing services.
At least one year of experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, mental health conditions, and/or substance use challenges preferred.
Strong preference for candidates with lived experience relevant to the population served.
Strong ability to navigate rental markets, housing systems, and subsidy programs.
Skill in landlord engagement, negotiation, and housing advocacy.
Ability to identify and resolve tenancy issues, including conflict mediation and eviction prevention.
Knowledge of 1915(i) Medicaid services, or ability to quickly learn service definitions and documentation standards.
Experience with person-centered planning and trauma-informed care.
Strong problem-solving skills, especially related to housing barriers.
Ability to coordinate across complex systems (housing, healthcare, social services).
Familiarity with local housing, homelessness, and recovery-oriented resources.
Knowledge of functional zero homelessness and the Pathways Home plan.
Strong organizational, documentation, and computer skills.

Responsibilities

Conducts comprehensive intakes and housing-focused assessments to identify barriers to obtaining housing.
Develops and implements person-centered housing plans with clear, measurable housing goals.
Actively supports participants in locating, applying for, and securing housing, including conducting housing searches aligned with participant needs, preferences, and affordability, assisting with housing applications, documentation, and eligibility requirements, and coordinating transportation and logistics for housing viewings.
Engages and builds relationships with landlords and property managers to identify housing opportunities and advocate for participants.
Problem solves barriers such as poor credit, eviction history, legal issues, or lack of documentation to improve housing access.
Delivers Housing Transition Services as defined under 1915(i), including supporting participants in preparing for tenancy, assisting with lease understanding and tenant rights/responsibilities, and coordinating move-in logistics and essential resources.
Provides ongoing Housing Sustaining Services to support long-term tenancy, including teaching and reinforcing tenancy skills (communication with landlords, paying rent, maintaining unit), early identification and intervention in potential lease violations or conflicts, and mediating disputes between tenants and landlords when appropriate.
Proactively prevents eviction and returns to homelessness through problem-solving, resource coordination, and crisis response.
Provides individualized support related to recovery, wellness, and independent living, including budgeting and financial management, transportation planning, connection to medical, mental health, and substance use services, and rebuilding natural supports and community connections.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated and holistic care.
Builds trusting, respectful relationships that promote engagement and housing success.
Promotes self-determination and participant choice in all aspects of housing and service planning.
Applies trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices in all interactions.
Inspires hope and reinforces progress toward stability and independence.
Actively participates in the homelessness response system, including Pathways Conferencing and coordinated entry processes.
Coordinates with internal departments and external providers to streamline access to housing and services.
Contributes to system improvement efforts aimed at achieving functional zero homelessness.
Completes accurate, timely, and compliant documentation aligned with 1915(i) Medicaid service definitions, and La Crosse County standards including service notes that clearly reflect billable activities and housing-related outcomes, person-centered service plans and updates, and progress toward housing goals and stability indicators.
Maintain compliance with all Medicaid, county, and program requirements.
Protect confidentiality and adhere to La Crosse County Standards of Conduct (Administrative Code 3.08).
Maintains ongoing training to stay current with policies, regulations, and best practices in housing and Medicaid services.
Provides courteous, respectful service to the public and maintains positive working relationships with colleagues and community partners.