PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:
The Housing Specialist is responsible for assisting clients in their search for and securing permanent housing. In this regard, the Housing Specialist will use HPD incentives for Finders’ Fees to brokers and owners, developing contacts in all boroughs with not-for-profit and for-profit housing developers. Further, the Housing Specialist is responsible for ensuring that all clients are familiar with New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) forms and procedures, as well as the procedures for all other housing programs offered.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Utilizing the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) - Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES) complete family intake assessment, service plan/independent living plan, housing, next step conferences/transfers, incident reports, progress notes, etc.
2. Ensure all relevant housing applications are completed in an appropriate manner within 90 days of a family becoming eligible for shelter services and forwarded to their designated destination and that a copy is maintained in the case record.
3. Must ensure that within 10 days of arriving at Icahn House all clients sign the “Permanent Housing Agreement” Form.
Revised April 2021
4. Utilizing the CARES, review accessible information from Human Resource Administration, Administration for Children Services, Department of Probation, Department of Homeless Services, etc.
5. Providing a client with a list of suitable available apartments in a location consistent with a clients “Domestic Violence” status, if applicable, and advising a client of its responsibility for seeking additional apartments on its own.
6. Utilizing the DHS CARES to ensure that all information is updated in the system in a timely fashion as required by DHS.
7. Initiate, develop and maintain relationships with housing resources and advocacy groups such as NYCHA, HPD, Section 8, Supportive Housing, and other organizations to share information on current and future housing resources and to assure that client’s transition to permanent housing and reduce the length of time families are homeless.
8. In collaboration with Relocation Support Program staff, coordinate, and conduct Housing Empowerment Workshops to empower residents in their search for permanent housing and to provide information on housing.
9. Monitor the submission and processing of clients’ housing applications to ensure clients’ timely access to all appropriate housing options.
10. Research housing resources to increase clients’ housing options. Assess clients’ housing history and other relevant factors to assist caseworkers in the development of individual service plans.
11. Ensure the timely collection, preparation, and analysis of re-housing information to generate routine and as-needed reports, to evaluate program performance and to facilitate short and long-term planning for both individual clients and for re-housing services.
12. Guide and prepare clients for interviews with landlords, building managers and tenant groups to ensure that they can represent their interests in the search for permanent housing. Assist clients in viewing and inspecting available housing, both public and private, to ensure they are relocated to appropriate and code-compliant housing.
13. Advocate for and assist clients to obtain rent monies, leases and furniture grants, link with Lend-A-Hand, and to monitor apartment repairs in process to expedite clients’ move to permanent housing.
14. Facilitate additional groups, as designated, to address family issues, enhance life skills, and assist families in achieving self-sufficiency and a successful transition to permanent housing.
Revised April 2021
15. Perform other duties and special projects as required including serving on-call for a one-week period each quarter.
16. Assist in transferring clients in and out of the program, when required.
SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Facilitate effective communication with other staff within an interdisciplinary context, participate in and contribute to staff meetings.
• Participate in training and staff-development activities to acquire and maintain both interpersonal and operational skills necessary for successful job performance.
• Immediately report serious incidents, allegations of abuse, incidents, or sensitive situations and completes incident.
• Comply and promote compliance with all agency policies helping to strengthen and maintain an ethical organizational culture.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
• High School Diploma or GED.
Experience:
• A minimum of 1-year experience related to housing for homeless or low-income populations required, including two years in a family services setting and two to four years’ experience with high-risk families and housing services.
• Experience in-group facilitation, housing advocacy, working with the homeless population preferred.
Related Skills:
• Knowledge of housing issues is essential.
• Knowledge of tenant and landlord laws is desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Skill in supervising the work of others and instilling professional work methods and practices.
• Effective interpersonal skills to interact with clients, external partners, agencies, and others to assure clients’ housing needs are met.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Knowledge of office systems including databases; MS-Office preferred.
Other Requirements (including Physical Demands)
• Travel required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
