Job Description

Housing Specialist

Non-profit staff can work anywhere….The BEST work with US!

$30.21 - $32.96 per hour

A nationally recognized comprehensive Health and Human Services Agency, with over 60 programs across New York City and greater New York Area.

Samaritan Daytop Village serves over 33,000 New Yorkers annually within your neighborhoods and communities, so our success depends on those we employ.

The Role

Under the general direction of the Program Director or Designee, the Housing Specialist is responsible for identifying permanent housing for program participants. The Housing Specialist will also be responsible for conducting housing assessments to determine participants’ housing readiness, family composition, and other housing needs. The incumbent will provide comprehensive case management, assist clients in the completion of applications for housing and rental subsidy programs, and conduct housing counseling. Additionally, he/she will escort clients to subsidized housing, realtors, landlords, and community-based agencies. The incumbent will further accompany clients to apartment visits and lease signings. Plus establish linkages with real estate brokers and landlords, and utilize media resources such as the internet to identify available apartments. This work is carried out in support of the mission and goals of Samaritan Daytop Village.

Responsibilities

What You Will Do

• Assists residents in seeking safe, permanent, and affordable housing.
• Completes initial housing assessment and determines resident’s eligibility for various housing programs and services.
• Participates in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings and shares outcomes of housing assessments and recommendations with the team.
• Develops housing service plans based on resident’s housing needs while ensuring each resident’s housing needs are included in the resident’s comprehensive treatment plan.
• Provides individual and group counseling regarding housing issues to help residents meet the goals of the service and comprehensive treatment plans.
• Documents all individual and group sessions for each resident as they are provided.
• Teaches residents independent living skills like budgeting and money management to help them establish and maintain self-sufficiency.
• Serves as a liaison between housing agencies such as HRA, Section 8, ACS, etc., and advocates for residents’ various housing needs to such agencies while developing and maintaining a relationship with such housing agencies.
• Develops and maintains relationships with landlords, brokers, and realty agencies.
• Develops and maintains housing referral resource manual, makes housing referrals, and follows up to determine the outcome of all referrals.
• Set up appointments with housing agencies, landlords, and brokers so residents may view apartments.
• Prepare residents for housing interviews.
• Formulate discharge plans based on resident’s needs and eligibility for various housing resources.
• Complete monthly housing report.
• Perform other duties as requested.

Qualifications

Who You Will Be

• Associate’s Degree in Human Services or related field;
  • OR
• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field.
• At least one (1) experience working as a Housing Specialist within other similar city-operated organizations.
• Strong knowledge of housing systems and resources.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Willingness to travel in the community to view available apartments with program participants as needed.
• Available to work a flexible schedule as needed in response to program and staff needs.
• Computer literacy including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and EHR.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Team player and ability to exhibit a substantive level of autonomy to work independently.

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