Rapid Rehousing Caseworker

Company Overview:

Working to provide, shelter, housing, stabilization and support for children, families and individuals experiencing homelessness across CT since 1990, New Reach inspires independence for those affected by homelessness and poverty. As a long-time leader in Connecticut, New Reach hopes to now chart a new path by fundamentally shifting how our community manages and responds to the homelessness and housing insecurity crises. With increased focus on preventing evictions and providing long-term stability for those who are establishing their independence, we believe a true systems change is possible. We imagine a world where the need for shelter is minimal, because individuals and families are able to stay in their homes instead of being evicted and those who are struggling to make ends meet can get the help they need to maintain stability. We inspire lasting independence for all people affected by homelessness and poverty through a continuum of housing and support, using the most innovative, progressive, equitable and inclusive methods.

Primary Purpose:

In partnership with the Coordinated Access Network (CAN) and other community stakeholders, the Rapid Rehousing Program services low-income individuals and families to quickly move out of their experiences of active homelessness in the greater Bridgeport community. Rapid Rehousing case management consists of housing procurement assistance, rental assistance, and intensive support services for up to 12 months post housing acquisition with the goal of housing stability. The caseworker acts as the first point of contact to provide support and advocacy, timely rental assistance, housing counseling, and community linkages during this critical time of transition. Other populations or housing support services may be assigned as secondary purposes when needed.

Essential Functions:

• Accept referrals from and collaborate with local and regional sources including but not limited to 211, the Coordinated Access Network (CAN), community homeless service providers to engage new clients in services.
• Complete program intakes, including initiating contact with referred households, description of program services offered, and a comprehensive, strengths-based assessment of needs to stabilize housing and health.
• Co-create person-centered goal plans with clients and other parties involved in services.
• Provide home and community-based case management services to address unmet needs through direct support, coaching, crisis intervention, life skills training, advocacy, and linkages to community resources.
• Assist clients with stabilizing housing, including affordable housing search, landlord recruitment, lease-up assistance, tenancy skill building and responsibilities, fiscal preparedness for independent rent payment, and housing maintenance.
• Assist clients with identifying unaddressed needs and encourage an array of integrated support/services related to benefits, employment and income, education, housing, medical conditions, mental health, substance use, HIV, family and/or community-based supports, and access to mainstream services.
• Complete administrative responsibilities to support acquisition and maintenance of housing, including housing inspections, income calculations, rental assistance submissions, and quarterly recertifications.
• Engage with property managers/owners to provide information on service components, advocate for housing rights, build a network of professional landlord relationships, and mediate housing concerns effectively.
• Maintain collaborative, professional working relationships with program partners including client's household members and natural support networks, property owners/managers, housing authorities, legal entities, and community providers to support housing retention and stability.
• Utilize the statewide HMIS database, Google Sheets, and Smartsheet to document assessments, case notes, services, financial requests, and client outcomes in compliance with standards and expectations.
• Maintain hard copy client files in accordance with program requirements.
• Participate in internal, local, regional, and statewide meetings as assigned.
• Develop a strong community profile with the homeless services, mental health, substance use, and/or HIV/AIDS community as an advocate for clients.
• Other duties as assigned to ensure successful operations.

Qualifications:

• BA/BS in Human Services or related field, OR associate's degree and 2 years of human services experience required.
• Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation with proof of insurance.
• Highly motivated, with excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to provide intensive and comprehensive services to households experiencing homelessness, including advocacy and mediation skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, to support the mission of New Reach.
• High level of organizational skills to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with housing, housing law, and provision of services to the identified population preferred.
• Experience working with individuals affected by mental health, substance use or chronic health conditions.
• Bilingual inSpanish, both written and oral

Expectations:

• Work in agency offices, client homes, and the community from 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.
• Have a solutions-based approach to presented problems.
• Be supportive, engaging and encouraging to peers and staff.
• Be adaptable to change and willing to take on more responsibility.
• Develop a strong community profile with homeless, mental health, substance use, and HIV/AIDS communities.
• Provide a commitment to the values of New Reach: Professionalism, Integrity, Compassion and Initiative
• Adhere to all New Reach's Policies and Procedures

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The associate must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Equal Employment Opportunity | VET Employer | Affirmative Action Employer