Housing Case Manager

AGENCY SUMMARY

Building Futures is an Alameda County leader providing a safety net of services to help individuals and families rebuild safe and stable lives after homelessness and family violence. At Building Futures, we believe everyone deserves a safe place to call home. The agency has served as an Alameda County leader for 37 years, with a range of services to help individuals and families build safe and stable lives free from homelessness and family violence. Our employees bring dedication, heart, and respect for those we serve, in a dynamic and supportive work environment.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Case Manager will work with individuals and families to locate affordable housing units using community resources and agency networks. This position will report to the Director of Housing Services and will ensure day-to-day operations.

This is not a remote position. It is a field-based role that requires daily reporting to the Fairway office, as well as frequent travel throughout Alameda County. The Case Manager must have a flexible schedule and be adaptable to changing business needs. This dynamic role demands initiative, dedication, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on people's lives.

This position includes a 90-day probationary period. The first 3–4 weeks consist of full-time, in-office training at 8 hours per day. During this time, new staff will learn agency procedures, case management expectations, documentation requirements, and field protocols. The Case Manager must be able to maintain a caseload while building strong relationships with clients and providing high-quality care.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Develop a case plan to assist individuals and families with establishing and meeting housing goals and identifying appropriate steps toward achieving goals, including modifying goals as needed, and evaluating progress.
• Carry a caseload of individuals and families, which may include home-based case management.
• Provide intensive case management services for applicable households.
• Utilize a housing stability plan to assist with establishing and meeting housing goals and identifying appropriate steps toward achieving goals, including modifying goals as needed, and evaluating progress.
• Meet with individuals and families to evaluate income and expenses and determine their ability to pay rent in the future.
• Promote and facilitate active participation by clients in program services.
• Maintain accurate daily logs, case notes, and files for all clients.
• Collect and enter program data as needed, including but not limited to HMIS.
• Attend and participate in scheduled case review meetings, staff meetings, and training.
• Assess housing barriers of individuals and families to determine housing and service needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR HOUSING NAVIGATION AND SERVICE DELIVERY

• Assist Alameda County–based homeless clients and assess housing barriers of individuals to determine housing and service needs.
• Assess and screen households for program eligibility.
• Work in partnership with the assigned case manager and client on housing search and maintaining secure housing.
• Promote values of self-sufficiency and empowerment throughout work with clients.
• Promote and facilitate active participation by clients in program services.
• Provide housing/tenant counseling, housing workshops, and community resource referrals.
• Serve as an ongoing liaison between landlords and participants.
• Educate and advocate around budgeting and financial management practices, including banking and credit repair.
• Serve as an ongoing liaison between landlords and participants.
• Attend and participate in scheduled case review meetings, staff meetings, and training.
• Must be available to work Monday–Friday and some occasional evening hours.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent professional experience in the human services or related field, and demonstrated experience in rental housing programs for low-income, special-needs individuals and families.
• Minimum of three years of experience working in the housing field with strong knowledge of the Alameda County housing market and geography.
• Must possess 1 year of field experience working with people with serious mental illness, individuals with a dual diagnosis, and/or the homeless population.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local fair housing laws.
• Ability to build supportive and respectful working relationships with staff and clients alike.
• Possess an understanding of and practice cultural sensitivity through open dialogue and self-exploration with diverse groups while providing direct services.
• Ability to effectively intervene in crisis situations with de-escalation techniques.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team, being an effective and collaborative leader.
• Skilled at communicating with a team responsible for their own work but sharing responsibility for the overall success of the program.
• Ability to navigate new roles with the intent of seeing them through to success.
• Valid California Driver's License and access to a personal automobile.
• Ability to work with immigrant communities a plus.

BENEFITS AT BUILDING FUTURES

• 100% paid employee premium for Kaiser, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance plans
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• PTO and Sick Time
• Flex Spending Account
• 10 Paid Holidays + A Day Off for Your Birthday
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discount Program and more