Housing Specialist

**Position Summary**

The mission of Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission (HOTV) is to prevent, reduce, and eliminate poverty, hunger, and homelessness by offering immediate assistance and long-term solutions. Our mission is to meet our participants' needs through an individualized and non-judgmental approach that will ultimately lead to long term housing stability.

**The Housing Specialist **will be part of a Housing Services team whose overall goal is to quickly rehouse 15,000 Angelenos experiencing homelessness. Hope the Mission works with populations that are considered street homeless, vulnerable and whose housing has been jeopardized. Housing Specialists are passionate about serving others and see themselves in a helping profession long term. They are proactive and responsive to the needs of our participants, meeting them “where they’re at” and bridging the gap between the individual and our services. The Housing Specialist will be responsible for assessing client needs, The Housing Specialist participates in all stages of client service delivery: assessment, services planning, engagement and implementation.

**Primary Duties and Responsibilities**

Working under the supervision of the Housing Services Manager, the primary role of the Housing Specialist
- Stabilization consists of:

- Maintain a caseload of 20-25 participants.
- Provide comprehensive case management services. This may include: Initial eligibility verification and enrollment, ongoing needs and status assessments, Budgeting, Administration of financial assistance, Information and referral, Crisis de-escalation, Safety planning, risk assessment, mandated reporting, Employment and benefits assistance and Advocacy.
- Active Problem-Solving interventions and access to one-time financial assistance.
- Targeted matches to Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for high-acuity individuals.
- Continuous assessment of newly housed participants to determine needed supports and/or long-term housing. Meet with participants at a frequency and location determined by their needs.
- Case management supports participants’ stability in housing.
- Assisting the participants to achieve sustainable and healthy independent living.
- Utilizes HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) to track all case management and Problem Solving conversations with participants.
- Participates in housing-focused case management conversations with participants.
- Remains cognizant that participant’s choice must be considered and is an important part of the housing and services plan.
- Fosters and builds relationships with client landlords. Communicates with landlords and familiarizes them with the program and the unique needs of participants.
- Connects participants with community resources that will help maximize their ability to pay rent and offer assistance in the event of unforeseen circumstances that may lead to potential eviction.
- Develops a Housing Services Plan in coordination with the participant; Housing Services Plan will be the road map of services that are to be provided and will define actions that need to be taken by staff and participants that include, but are not limited to participant’s goals and budgeting.
- Completes monthly update to assess progress towards achieving goals as defined in the Housing Services Plan.
- Accompanies and provides transportation for participants when meeting landlords; facilitates transportation to other appointments as needed.
- Develops support systems to meet individual client's housing needs; coordinates and facilitates move-in activities, rental negotiations, and service referrals, as needed.
- Works closely with Housing Services Manager for rental assistance approvals.
- Participate in case conferencing and collaborative care coordination.
- Attend all job-related meetings, including program staff meetings and agency-wide meetings.
- Participate in opportunities for learning and skill maintenance/development.
- Utilize supervision appropriately, maintaining open lines of communication and providing updates on activity.
- Executes additional duties as assigned.

**Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities**
- Knowledge of housing focused case management and housing stability plan design.
- Maintains a non-judgmental attitude and a display of unconditional positive regard when working with persons experiencing homelessness.
- Able to work independently in a field-based position.
- Able to develop relationships with program participants, their families, and landlords, as well as a variety of service stakeholders (health and public benefit agencies)
- Able to represent and advocate for program participants.
- Strong written and oral skills in the English language; able to accurately complete required reports and data entry
- Able to perform basic mathematical calculations (rent, security deposits, etc.)
- Able to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflict, including dealing with uncooperative clie