Housing Specialist

**Position Summary**

The mission of Hope the Mission 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**:

- is responsible for identifying suitable housing options for program participants and their families and assisting the participants to achieve sustainable and healthy independent living.

**Primary Duties and Responsibilities**

Working under the supervision of the CES Housing Navigation Manager, the primary role of the Housing Specialist is to:
The Housing Specialist is responsible for identifying suitable housing options for program participants and their families and assisting the participants to achieve sustainable and healthy independent living. Part of services team for the program, the Housing Specialist participates in all stages of client service: assessment, services planning, engagement and delivery. Assists program case management, outreach and community engagement as directed.
- Accept, screen, and process referrals received from LAHSA & Housing Specialist.
- Conduct intake and enrollment with eligible clients, including assisting clients with gathering program eligibility documentation, and completing program intake forms.

Assist clients with accessing temporary housing, including shelter, until permanent housing is secured. Support clients with the lease-up process, including meeting with property management, reviewing and signing their lease, and obtaining household necessities.
- Conduct comprehensive initial assessments.
- Develop individualized collaborative service plans for tenants.
- Coordinate with Housing Liaisons, LAHSA housing location team, LEASE UP & **other **resources to locate appropriate permanent housing.

Develop and implement a rental assistance plan that includes a step-down approach toward the client paying the entirety of their rent for those clients who are in the “rapid rehousing” style program component. Strive to recognize the best in each tenant and to support the meaningful change they seek through building relationships and utilizing motivational interviewing techniques and strength-based case management techniques. Meet with each tenant on regularly scheduled basis and document progress and strength in progress notes. Provide home and field-based services as appropriate.

Transport tenant as needed to essential appointments that support their stability and housing retention. Assist tenant with navigating and abiding by their lease obligations.
- Support tenants with learning and practicing fiscal responsibility.

Assist tenant with their physical and mental health needs by providing support and linkage to appropriate services. Complete and submit required weekly and monthly program reports.
- Other duties as assigned.

**Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities**
- Knowledge surrounding poverty, homelessness and social factors involved.
- Understanding of modalities of treatment.
- Understanding of recovery model principles and practices.
- Ability to understand the needs of formerly homeless people with disabilities and to develop collaborative goals towards greater self-sufficiency and independence in the greater community.
- Ability to work autonomously with a mínimal amount of supervision.
- Ability to educate and empower clients in a variety of personal finance topics such as budgeting and responsible money management.

Knowledgeable about services for homeless and low-income individuals throughout Los Angeles County. Knowledge of the dynamics of chemical dependency, mental health issues and the effects of homelessness. Ability to speak Spanish fluently may be required, depending on specific assignment.
- Skilled in use of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and HMIS Homeless Management Information System.
- Must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Required to have at least one year of experience working with homeless individuals AND have a social work/mental health related bachelor’s degree or have a minimum of two years of experience providing direct mental health or intensive case management services.
- Have experience working with clients with employment barriers and/or mental illness, chronic health issues, and substance use disorders.
- Must be able to work effectively with people from all walks of life with compassion
- Able to develop relationships with program participants, their families, and landlords, as well as a variety of service stakeholders (schools, health and public benefit agencies).
- Strong public speaking ability, able to represent program and participants as an advocate

Strong written and oral skills in the English language, able to accurately complete required reports and data entry. Able to perform basic math