Housing Specialist

Job DescriptionJob Description:

Salary: $27 to $32 Hourly Housing Specialist ABOUT US Founded in 1991, Hope Solutions, formerly Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, is a vibrant and socially responsive non-profit agency that provides permanent housing and vital support services to over 2,000 homeless or at-risk families and individuals in Contra Costa County. Over 40 faith-based communities support our work, although there are no religious requirements or affiliations to receive services. Are you seeking a new role that fully utilizes your talents and potential—while helping to make the world a better place? If so, please read on What are you passionate about? At Hope Solutions—we envision a world in which everyone has a place to call home and the support of a strong community so that they can live with dignity and reach their full potential. We strive to be inclusive and responsive to community needs. We are committed to excellence and accomplish our work with integrity, respect, compassion, and humility. Hope Solution's mission is to heal the effects of poverty and homelessness by providing permanent housing and vital support services to highly vulnerable families and individuals. Could our mission be your mission? Learn more about us @ hopesolutions.org TEAM SNAPSHOT We're adding to our team of passionate folks—who are on a mission to help make the lives of others better—through services and support that lead to a higher quality of life for our clients. We'd like to learn more about you—apply for the role What's our team like? Here's a snapshot of some of the folks at Hope Solutions who help advance our vision to achieve—secure housing and the dignity of self-sufficiency for the homeless and at-risk families and individuals in Contra Costa County. A FEW OF US... Deanne—Chief Executive Officer—Resides with her husband and three children. Enjoys hiking, camping, reading, cooking, and cheering at her kids' games. Alex—Chief Operating Officer—Lives with his wife, son, and dog (and loves when the grandkids visit). MSW and macro social worker who enjoys reading, baseball (Go Giants), cooking, hiking, jazz, and family time. Christina—Chief Financial Officer—Resides with her husband, son, two daughters, and their dog. MPA, Non-Profit Graduate Certificate, and 20+ years in finance; enjoys traveling and family time. Beth—Director of Clinical and Support Services—Resides with her sister and son. Licensed psychologist with 30+ years working with children and families; enjoys singing, cooking, gardening, and traveling. Bill—Director of Properties and Support Services—Resides with his partner. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 25+ years’ experience working with underserved populations, specialized training in somatic psychotherapy and end-of-life care; enjoys reading, gardening, and meditation. Cayla—Director of Evaluation and Learning —Resides with her husband and children. MBA in Business Analytics that thrives on spreadsheet analysis, dashboard creation, and reading. Debbie—Director of Development and External Relations—Resides with her husband, two teenagers, and a rescue mutt. Leads external relations and development with 20+ years in marketing and communications. Iesha—Director of Re-Entry Housing and Services—Resides with her husband, daughter, son, dog, and cat. Enjoys reading, painting, and listening to vinyl records; big fan of baseball (Go A’s), basketball (Go Celtics), and football; strong background in workforce development and social enterprise. Jasmine—Consulting Director of Strategic Initiatives—Resides with her husband, three children, and three dogs. MS in Organizational Leadership and Innovation; co-convener of the Multi-faith ACTION Coalition and board member. Kristina—Director of Human Resources—Resides with her spouse, child, and French Bulldogs. 20+ years in leadership, operations, and people management; Bachelor's in Business Administration, SHRM-SCP certified; enjoys family time, lifting weights, indoor cycling, hiking, and laughter. Mashal—Director of Housing & Support Services—Resides in the Bay Area. Daughter of Afghan refugees; enjoys weekends with her son, concerts, reading, and Sonoma Coast drives; former Program Manager for housing and care for chronically homeless adults with AIDS/HIV; co-chair for Hope Solutions' DEIB Committee and board member. Tanya—Director of Rapid Re-Housing and Navigation—Resides with her husband, daughter, and two sons. Master's in Counseling Psychology with 15+ years serving underserved populations; enjoys music, comedy, movies, exercising, and basketball. WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR: The PHS (Project Home SAFE) Housing Specialist provides specialized home-based case management, ongoing assessment of consumer needs, and linkage to essential services for clients actively fleeing domestic violence. Collaborating with program partner STAND For Families Free of Violence, along with other community agencies, the PSH Housing Specialist delivers individualized and flexible support, recognizing the varying needs of each client and their children. The Housing Specialist provides an array of services to clients, including case management, housing navigation, advocacy, and financial support (including rent and move-in assistance), all in support of assessing client goals and matching clients with safe, sustainable housing options. The Housing Specialist conducts outreach and engagement with landlords and property owners throughout the county, matching clients with appropriate housing options and working with community resources that assist in the process of placing homeless individuals/families into suitable housing Initial work involves a comprehensive needs assessment, collaboratively creating a participant-driven Housing Stability Plan, and accessing resources to achieve the goal of becoming/remaining housed. Housing Stability Plans may include time-limited financial support. All case management services are participant-driven, delivered with a strength-based, trauma-informed approach, and provided in the community or at the client's home for convenience. Services offer a flexible intensity level and ensure warm hand-offs to other providers if clients need additional support post-housing stability. Supervisory Responsibility: None WHAT WILL YOU DO: Client Support: Meet with identified clients to complete housing needs assessments and create plans for obtaining safe, sustainable housing. Assist with data entry, rental subsidy, program incentive tracking for program participants, and tracking/reporting program data. Assist Team members on an as-needed basis with assessing client needs and service planning. Assist clients with “document readiness” (gathering and maintaining verification documents required for housing applications) Research and identify housing opportunities for clients as requested or needed. Assist clients in identifying and seeking desirable, appropriate housing options and mitigating screening barriers. Provide applicants with housing-related resources necessary to obtain and sustain housing placement, including information regarding tenant/landlord rights and responsibilities. Partner with Department staff and other community partners as needed to ensure coordination of care. Transport clients to meet with prospective landlords, complete housing applications, and inspect potential units on an as-needed basis. Apply knowledge of residential leases to educate clients regarding their rights and responsibilities. Landlord/Community Outreach and Engagement: Work with community partners to assess housing barriers and the needs of clients experiencing homelessness who are eligible for services. Maintain key 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 interested parties: target audiences will vary but may include faith communities, rental associations, board and care facilities, elected officials, and property management companies. In partnership with Hope Solutions, brokered housing and property management staff collaborate regarding shared housing resources. Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on clients’ behalf to assist with obtaining and/or maintaining housing. Create and maintain consistent verbal and written communication channels between collaborating parties (i.e., tenant, landlord, referral sources, service agencies, debtors, and creditors). Cultural Responsiveness: Awareness of and aptitude to understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based differences within group environments appropriately and effectively. Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion and belonging. Experience fostering and reinforcing an environment that values unique experiences, cultures, personal humility, authenticity, backgrounds, and goals. Participate in and complete our new employee onboarding process, which includes reading and discussing a short chapter in the book, The Color of Law. Review and commit to our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging Commitment. Organizational/Administrative Responsibilities: Professionally represent Hope Solutions in all circumstances. Comply with all legal/ethical professional guidelines for maintaining consumer confidentiality, adhering to HIPAA guidelines, protecting consumer rights, advocating on consumers’ behalf, and assuring consumer safety. Comply with all local, state, and federal regulations and Hope Solutions policies and procedures. Complete required administrative paperwork and reports in a timely and accurate manner. Attend all required meetings, including but not limited to Hope Solutions staff meetings, team meetings, consumer case conferences, and linkage meetings with other agencies. Complete required personnel-related paperwork and complete expenditure reports for food supplies, petty cash expenses, and/or mileage in a timely and accurate manner. Document all services provided in a timely manner. Assist with data generation for reports and funding applications as needed. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. On-call, after-hours, and backup work may be required. Position Qualifications: Knowledge of and belief in “Housing First” philosophy and strategies. Passion for and demonstrated experience successfully supporting vulnerable populations, especially homeless clients with mental disabilities. BA degree in social work or related field; equivalent experience will be considered. Minimum of two years’ experience in the human service field, preferably with housing retention barriers such as substance abuse, mental health, and/or income challenges. Knowledge or willingness to learn HUD requirements, including tenant certifications and/or experience working with HUD-funded properties. Bi-lingual in English/Spanish preferred. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills. Computer proficiency in the use of Microsoft and database applications. Must have an operational vehicle, auto insurance, valid California driver’s license, and be willing to drive for work. Must pass LiveScan screening and TB test. Salary contingent upon skill and experience. Physical Qualifications- The person in this position may make home visits to consumers who live on second or third-floor apartments (without elevators) and will need to be able to climb stairs. May accompany consumers on walks to local resources (grocery store, childcare, parks) up to ½ mile in distance. Must be able to work in a desk setting for up to 3 hours at a time to make calls to consumers, research resources on the internet, and collaborate with community providers with calls/emails. Office setting activities are required, such as typing on a laptop/computer to respond to emails, entering case notes into a database, and copying/faxing forms and documents on a copy machine related to maintaining or obtaining housing. Occasionally must be able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including furnishings for new residents, files, holiday gifts, and food donations. Ability to drive an automobile and transport oneself and consumers to appointments or meet at consumer homes, including driving at night. Compensation & Benefits:Flexible, dynamic work environment100% premium paid for employee Kaiser health and dental care.Matched 403b retirement savings.11 paid holidays, plus 3 floating holidays.Ability to accrue 2-4 weeks' vacation depending on tenure.Life insurance and Employee Assistance Program. We are an equal-opportunity employer. If you're a good fit, we want to meet you * Please be advised that we are unable to provide sponsorship for this position. The nature of the work at Hope Solutions does not qualify us to support sponsorship. Only candidates authorized to work in the USA without the need for sponsorship will be considered.

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