Housing Case Manager

Job Summary: The Case Manager/Housing Specialist offers a welcoming face of warmth and hospitality to all guests, volunteers, donors, and staff. This is a hybrid role with a maximum case management load of 10 and responsibilities as a housing specialist. This role has a focus on assisting clients in transitioning from homelessness to homes while providing supportive services working with community partners. They are responsible for the housing intake, leasing, and re-certification of leases and rents for all UP clients participating in the housing program.

Responsibilities

Casework:

• Build relationships with clients while enforcing the community agreement, establishing trust and rapport.
• Assessing client needs, developing individualized care plans using a person-centered and strength-based approach, coordinating referrals to community resources, and monitoring client progress towards their goals.
• Assist clients in completing all housing related documents, including assistance with housing applications, landlord negotiations, and move-in support.
• Transporting or arrangement of transportation that assists clients with needed services to overcome barriers to care.
• Help clients procure and maintain the necessary documentation to become housing ready.
• Assesses clients' physical, social and emotional needs while doing intakes and all necessary paperwork to ensure confidentiality and agreements for client/agency working relationship.
• Make referrals and conduct home visits or meet clients in the community, as needed, to provide comprehensive support.
• Assist clients in obtaining medical and financial entitlements and benefits.
• Work in collaboration with community providers while connecting clients to resources in support of barrier removal and goal setting for sustainable housing.
• Supports clients in utilizing community resources, developing independent living skills and becoming reintegrated into the community.
• Identifies gaps in services for people experiencing homelessness and develops program plans to meet those needs.
• Completes documentation by maintaining thorough and accurate client records, including case notes, service plans, and progress updates, in compliance with agency and funding requirements.
• Completes necessary record-keeping in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and completes other documentation as required by agency and specific situations.
• Provides crisis intervention as necessary.

Housing Navigation:

• Assist clients in finding and successfully securing housing.
• Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on behalf of the client to develop a workable strategy to secure and maintain housing.
• Ensure that leases, rental assistant programs, walk-through inspections, and other relevant rental paperwork are HUD compliant and ready to be processed.
• Generate and have consistent communication (written and verbal) between all parties, tenant, landlord, case manager, agencies, debtors, creditors -serving as the liaison between property managers/landlords/neighbors and clients.
• Collect, track, and communicate with clients, case managers, and property managers/landlords on and balances, delinquent rents/deposits, and or lease violations in a timely manner.
• Conduct leasing appointments with clients and case managers (when applicable) to ensure all documentation and communication is completed.
• Maintain high standards of quality and excellence for clients.
• Adheres to agency policies, procedures and professional code of ethics.
• Participate in all required staff meetings, training and staff events.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills with the ability to relate to others.
• Knowledge of Housing First philosophies and strategies.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment with a strong sense of urgency.
• Very strong organizational, attention to detail, and time-management skills.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to effectively and sensitively communicate with all levels of management.
• Ability to cope with and defuse situations utilizing de-escalation techniques.
• Comfortable working with diverse populations.
• Flexibility and willingness to shift priorities as needed.
• Knowledge of office and computer equipment and software (Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace).
• Occasional work may be needed at night, on weekends, and in inclement weather
• Must have a valid driver's license, reliable vehicle and appropriate vehicle insurance to transport clients.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences or related field
• 2+ years of experience in social services
• 1-3 years of experience in leasing, affordable housing, rental property management or HUD housing.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master's degree in social sciences or related field
• Knowledge of HUD and/or Tax Credit Housing
• Prior experience with homeless populations

Work Environment: Office and homeless shelter; Job may be performed in areas/neighborhoods that could be considered unsafe.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described are represented of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job, with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle
• Ability to converse with and listen to people in many different settings
• Ability to sit, walk, stand, sit, use hands and fingers, reach with arms and hands, bend, squat, climb stairs, kneel and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis
• Ability to occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry supplies up to 25 pounds
• Work takes place in a social services environment where long periods of standing, working on a computer, walking to various work areas, and going up and down stairs are needed
• Ability to work in an environment where there may be animals present, including cats and dogs

Travel Required: Yes, limited local travel for site/housing visits

Up for Women and Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $ $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35 – 38 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person