Housing Specialist

LOCATION: Remote - must live in or near Buncombe, McDowell, Yancey, Mitchell, Caldwell, Watauga, Wilkes, Alexander, Rowan, or Burke County. This position will serve these counties. Incumbent must reside in North Carolina or within 40 miles of the NC border.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

The Housing Specialist is responsible for the completion of administrative work directly related to the management of identified housing programs and initiatives aimed at supporting individuals who experience Mental Health, Substance Use, and/or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to live in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. The employee performs a variety of functions related to housing including the identification of social and economic opportunities that are likely to enhance health outcomes for individuals served. The employee focuses on connecting individuals to needed services, supportive housing opportunities and other social determinants of health resources. This is accomplished by developing the means to address housing deficits and maximizing opportunities for members served through housing navigation, housing development, service development, landlord engagement, community outreach activities, and increase collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. 

The employee will provide expertise, guidance, and training for internal and external stakeholders as it relates to accessing appropriate housing resources and supports for those served. The employee ensures that engagement with identified contracted providers is consistent and in line with contract obligations. The employee, in collaboration with assigned Supervisor, ensures that all housing supports activities are delivered in accordance with the terms and conditions of the DMH/DD/SAS Contract, and guidelines/manuals/protocols/procedures established by the Department of Health and Human Services, federal rules and regulations, best practices, standards, and internal Vaya policies/procedures/manuals/guidelines.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Housing Specialist Responsibility dependent upon Role/Supervisor (either a or b)

(a) Housing Management (Supervised by Housing Manager)

Administer state and federally funded housing programs and services Manage housing initiatives, activities, programs, and funding as assigned by Supervisor Support the Housing Team in the completion of assigned duties and in meeting LME/MCO, state, and federal reporting requirements Maintain wait list for identified housing and residential programs Determine member eligibility based on housing program criteria, requirements, regulations, and rules Offer and/or partner with local housing agencies to provide housing rental assistance and supportive services for individuals and recipients experiencing homelessness Receive and process housing assistance requests Complete annual project grant applications within state and federal databases in accordance with program requirements Ensure integrity and compliance for identified housing programs Maintain complete and accurate records for identified housing budgets Adhere to policies, procedures, rules, regulations, best practices, standards, as well as accomplishing local and state performance outcomes and expectations Support sudden facility closure and discharge process with internal departments and local Department of Social Services Function as the single point-of-contact for identified on-going contractual and service issues as assigned

(1b) TCL Subsidy Administration (Supervised by Housing Supervisor) 

Administer Vaya’s Transitions to Community Living Voucher Program  Maintain a business process with the Transitions to Community Living (TCL) unit, management, housing quality standards inspector, and finance support staff to fulfill subsidy administration contract requirements between the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA), and Vaya Health Remain familiar and current with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development federal regulations and state and local building codes and ordinances as they relate to Vaya’s subsidy administration for Transitions Community Living Voucher (TCLV) Program Coordinate with other Vaya Departments to ensure effective collaboration, business processes, process improvement, and consistent practices within the agency Adhere to policies, procedures, rules, regulations, best practices, standards, as well as accomplishing local and state milestone requirements and expectations Implement the following housing administration themes: leasing; ongoing tenancy; annual activities; and tenancy termination, but are not limited to the following: calculating subsidy/payment; negotiating Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) agreement; completing biennial income re-certifications, conducting annual or initial inspections as needed; executing HAP renewals; conducting move out or termination inspections; and assisting with special claims/risk mitigation resources Collect data and enter information electronically into NCHFA’s Community Living Integration and Verification system (CLIVe) and Vaya's medical record system Provide CLIVe expertise to Population Health units  Act as Socialserve and NCHFA liaison  Effectively market Vaya's subsidy programs to new and existing landlords and property management agencies Further advance landlord and residential provider engagement strategies Track private market and residential housing stock - characteristics of occupied and unoccupied units Submit housing referrals and applications on behalf of TCL members - Targeting Program referrals and Housing Authority pre-applications/applications Maintain required reports and statistics on a monthly and annual basis as required  Provide excellent customer service to program participants and landlords by explaining and consistently enforcing program guidelines and regulations Treat all members, stakeholders, and landlords in a respectful, non-judgmental manner Mediate and negotiate communication with members, treatment team members and landlords as needed concerning tenancy matters Work with members whose housing challenges present legal issues and refer member/team and connect members to the services of a licensed attorney, non-profit legal aid, or a pro bono legal agency when necessary

Resource Identification

Maintain housing and residential resources for specialty populations including vacancy reports, housing flows, housing navigation tools and resource guides Develop and identify strategies to address housing deficits across disability populations Attend monthly community housing/residential meetings and disperse pertinent resources to internal and external stakeholders Contribute to Vaya's social determinants of health initiatives 

Housing Development

Support landlord recruitment and outreach efforts Enhance Vaya’s county-by-county assessment of funding sources, barriers, and resources for supported housing in Vaya’s catchment Identify strategies to access innovative services and third-party funding sources to support housing activities Orchestrate cooperation aimed at gaining access to funding opportunities from private, city/county, state, and federal sources  Support local community initiatives and programs as approved by executive leadership team

Community Collaboration and Education

Make available in multiple venues where service providers and other stakeholders convene, information to identify housing resources and supports, expand knowledge of eligibility requirements for various housing programs, how to access affordable housing resources, information to increase awareness of Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Landlord and Tenant Rights Support development and housing training initiatives Provide support to stakeholder groups as requested Provide support and consultation to internal departments as it relates to education meeting the needs of individuals with the highest acuity  Work collaboratively with other Vaya departments/teams to trouble shoot, develop, and streamline the management of Emergency Need IDD Respite Resources Work collaboratively to support member discharge planning from State and local hospitals, recovery facilities, and the correctional system Participate on area wide inter-agency committees with focus upon housing development Maintain positive working relationships with local public housing authorities (PHA) and HUD Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher administrating agencies to improve access and increase the supply of housing resources for specialty populations Coordinate with other Vaya departments to ensure effective collaboration, business processes, process improvement, and consistent practices within the agency Attend internal critical case staffing conference calls as requested or directed to provide education regarding service resources in the network Provide education to member and team members (including family) on options and community resources that can assist members with making informed and timely decisions as it relates to housing stability, including accessing NC360 system to support efforts Actively participate in required housing and TCL staff meetings and trainings, as well as providing training to service providers as it relates specifically to all tenancy events and transition activities  Participate in Vaya activities and committees at the request of Vaya’s Housing Supervisor and Manager Identify strategies to access innovative services and third-party funding sources  Make available in multiple venues where service providers and other stakeholders convene, information to identify housing resources and supports, expand knowledge of eligibility requirements for various housing programs, how to access affordable housing resources, information to increase awareness of Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Landlord and Tenant Rights, and barriers associated with Not in My Back Yard (NIMBY) Coordinate landlord recruitment and outreach efforts which includes planning Vaya’s Landlord Lunch and Learn events Support development and housing training initiatives Participate on area wide inter-agency committees with focus on housing recruitment and development Support regional housing plan efforts by leading local Housing Specialists collaboratives and conducting disability and/or service specific focus groups and engage stakeholders to obtain feedback on housing and service needs Maintain positive working relationships with local public housing authorities (PHA) and HUD Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher administrating agencies to improve access and increase the supply of housing resources for specialty populations

Other duties as assigned

Assist in Housing Team coverage, as identified by your Supervisor Crosstrain in other Housing Team skills (such as inspection, PSH, etc.), as identified by your supervisor

KNOWLEDGE OF JOB

Highly motivated, team player, self-starter and able to work independently with little or no direction Ability to problem solve and provide practical, thorough and creative solutions to work tasks Strong knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and program practices/requirements applicable to Vaya Health’s operation in North Carolina Ability to adhere to strict confidentiality requirements Experience in leading a performance relationship with external stakeholders Proficiency in analyzing, understanding and communicating network needs Strong customer service skills paired with a positive demeanor – a “can do” attitude Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to speak clearly and concisely, conveying complex or technical information in a manner that others can understand, as well as ability to understand and interpret complex information from others, including but not limited to reimbursement policy standards Exceptional business acumen Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment High level of knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and adept at learning software applications – expert level preferred Demonstrated knowledge of the assessment and treatment of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorder, sometimes co-occurring, is helpful

QUALIFICATIONS & CREDENTIALING REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s Degree required. Five years of service experience required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparation and analysis of documents; viewing a computer terminal; and extensive reading.  Physical activity in this position includes crouching, reaching, walking, talking, hearing and repetitive motion of hands, wrists and fingers.  Sedentary work with lifting requirements up to 10 pounds, sitting for extended periods of time.  Mental concentration is required in all aspects of work.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS: The person in this position IS required to reside in North Carolina or within 40 miles of the NC border.
 

SALARY:  Depending on qualifications & experience of candidate. This position is non-exempt and is eligible for overtime compensation.

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