FES Rehousing Specialist

South Middlesex Opportu is seeking a skilled Housing Specialist to join our team. As a Housing Specialist, you will play a critical role in providing assistance to homeless families placed in shelter units to help them achieve safe and permanent housing.

• Implement a Housing First approach to shorten shelter stays, collaborating with the case management and stabilization team to stabilize families and reduce re-entry into shelter.
• Assist the Shelter and Rehousing Manager with placements in both congregate and scattered site units, ensuring that congregate units are ready and fully equipped/furnished prior to the arrival of the family.
• Complete an Initial Intake on Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) within 48 hours of a family's arrival to shelter, as well as a 20-Mile Touchpoint, and then upon family's exit, complete an Exit Assessment and State Exit Touchpoint.
• Conduct in-depth housing histories and provide housing search assistance to clients, including assistance and advocacy with the subsidy application process and / or access funds and maximize income in order to obtain and maintain permanent housing.
• Work collaboratively with Case Manager and System Navigators to assess each family's housing and supportive service needs to determine if short-term financial assistance can be accessed to rapidly re-house the family.
• Develop a monthly Rehousing Plan for each family and work collaboratively with the case manager and the family to assist them in accomplishing the rehousing tasks and transitioning into housing.
• Coach clients on how to present themselves positively with landlords and property managers.
• Maintain client files to include all housing related documents and materials.
• Provide client transportation for all housing related appointments using the SMOC vehicles.
• Engage all clients by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside of the scope of work.
• Attend and participate in engagement team meetings as requested and communicate effectively with clients and staff in other areas.
• Maintain confidentiality of clients, employees and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.
• Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and /or funder requirements, as well as SMOC policies and procedures.

• Bachelor's degree preferred and/or 2 years relevant work experience in social services or housing services with low-income, minority and disabled individuals.
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese are high needs)
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule
• Must have a valid driver's license, reliable transportation and meet insurance standards
• Sensitivity to low-income people of diverse backgrounds
• Ability to work independently
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Desk space is provided in a homelike congregate shelter setting. Company van is available with advance scheduling for transportation of residents. As part of the responsibilities of this position, the Housing Specialist will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. A successful background check is required.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace.