Housing Equity and Inclusion Case Manager

POSITION TITLE: Housing Equity and Inclusion Case Manager

LOCATION: Johnson City, TN

STATUS: Full Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt

PROGRAM: Supportive Services for Veteran Families

REPORTS TO: Program Manager

INTRODUCTION:

Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA) is a non-profit organization spanning four states that creates positive change in the lives of individuals and communities through a ministry of service. We provide housing for families, veterans, and low-income seniors. We provide care and support for individuals with developmental disabilities, healing accountability that brings people together with restorative justice, and free HIV testing and education. When Volunteers of America was founded in 1896, "volunteer" referred to anyone who served others as a vocation through a commitment to a mission. Today, we are still staffed by paid, mission-driven professionals working to create positive change and build thriving communities. Flexibility, teamwork, and fun are some of the reasons our employees are proud to work at VOA! We offer a comprehensive benefits package to employees who meet eligibility requirements.

BENEFITS:

Volunteers of America Mid-States, offers a rich and robust benefits package the supports a healthy work life balance, which include the following:

Health and Wellness
Employee Assistance Plans (EAP)
Health and Wellness Program
Medical Coverage
Dental Coverage
Vision Coverage
Flexible Spending Account
Health Spending Account
Short Term Disability
MetLife Legal Plans

Financial Wellbeing
Competitive Compensation Packages
Life Insurance (company paid)
403b retirement plan with company fund matching
Employee discounts

• Loan forgiveness options through federal programs

(National Health Corp & Public Service Loan Forgiveness)

• All company paid benefits and paid time off effective day one

Work Culture
Commitment Committee
Justice Committee
Integrity Committee
Compassion Committee
DE&I Committee
Retention Committee

Training & Development
VOA LEAD Program- Leadership Development Program
VOA University - Staff Development
VOA Academy - Clinical Training and Development

JOB SUMMARY AND QUALIFICATIONS:

The SSVF program assists Veterans who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness end their housing crisis. The goal of the SSVF Housing- Equity and Inclusion Case Manager is to assist veterans in ending their housing crisis,
enhance their independent living skills by providing supportive services and education, connect them with community resources, and empower them to maintain long-term housing stability and self-sufficiency. The position is responsible for navigating the multiple vulnerabilities of Veterans experiencing homelessness, in the pursuit of housing stability by building relationships with landlords, communicating to and advocating for participants, and assisting participants in obtaining legal aid to remove barriers to gaining and sustaining housing. The position requires active promotion of housing justice, creating housing security through action and advocacy, and providing culturally inclusive, trauma-informed services to all participants.

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE FOR THIS ROLE:

This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field and less than five (5) years of experience in the field; at least five (5) years of experience in the field and no degree; or a Veteran with three (3) years of related work experience. Requires a demonstrated ability to provide a reasonable combination of the following knowledge, abilities, and skills: family needs assessment, knowledge, and ability to access local resources,
advocacy, counseling, and working cooperatively with local service providers. Must have a commitment to the principles of the project. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, high degree of organization, and creative problem-solving skills. Must have personal automobile, valid driver’s license, liability insurance, and be willing and able to travel between the counties we serve up to 70% of the time. Must complete required case management and (Critical Time Intervention) CTI training within 90 days of hire.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Build partnerships with community partners, service providers, and government agencies to acknowledge that institutional and structural racism restricts housing opportunities for people of color experiencing
homelessness.
2. Demonstrate ability to work with Veteran families, experiencing homelessness, of diverse cultural/ethnic backgrounds with sensitivity to their individual housing needs.
3. Actively work to remove barriers experienced by Veterans experiencing homelessness and especially people of color—economic mobility, availability of affordable housing, criminal justice, behavioral health, and family stabilization—in order to provide equitable, secure housing.
4. Responsible for explaining, interpreting, and applying for HUD-VASH and Section 8 programs.
5. Advocate for Veteran and act as liaison while working with landlords, rental agencies, community organizations, and other service agencies.
6. Read, interpret, and explain rental contracts between Veteran and landlord, ensuring the contract is fair and capable.
7. Provides case management duties including:
a. Perform assessment and develop/monitor case plans and conduct necessary follow-up activities.
b. Establish linkages with appropriate agencies and service providers in the area/community.
c. Provide referrals and coordinate with VAMCs and other providers.
d. Assess Veteran needs and budget and develop individualized housing search plan with each participant.
e. Create individualized housing plans and set goals with participants.
f. Decide how resources are allocated to participants based on need.
g. Educate participants on supportive services availability and participant rights
h. Provide referrals for supportive services to participants, including financial planning services, transportation services, income support services, fiduciary and representative payee services, legal services, childcare, and housing counseling.
i. Complete required documentation (including progress notes) within 48 hours of contact and enter data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
j. Demonstrate good clinical judgment in decision making regarding participants.
k. Demonstrate ability to relate to Veterans and their family in a culturally appropriate manner.
8. Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) duties as assigned by supervision and PQI committee.
9. Work in partnership with other SSVF Case Managers, Intake Coordinators, and Outreach Workers; and participate in regular case consultation.
10. Develop cooperative arrangements with government agencies and community partners in providing housing for homeless families.

11. Accompany Veterans to look for housing, assist them in communicating with landlords/property management, and advocate for Veteran.

12. Conduct all housing inspections on eligible units.
13. Conducts legal assessment for all participants and connects all Veteran households with legal services to remove criminal justice barriers from housing.
14. Serve as a resource for housing education and support tailored to the needs and desires of the Veteran.
15. Collaborate with other providers in the ongoing reassessment of the Veteran household’s housing needs.
16. Advocate for the Veteran, integrating cultural values into their case plan.
17. Provide housing education services, materials, and referrals to Veteran and their family, based on individual needs. In addition, conduct informational meetings and trainings with community partners, property
management companies, and landlords on SSVF program and housing needs, as well as fair housing guidelines.
18. Negotiate rental rates, review leases, and provides feedback to case consultation team.
19. Mediate disputes between Veteran and landlord/property management.
20. Investigate cases involving program and lease violation.
21. Understand HUD, HUD-VASH, Section 8, and other housing guidelines, rules, and regulations.
22. Maintain active landlord and housing provider list and actively establish new housing providers/partners.
23. Identifies systemic barriers and communicates with organizational leadership about these barriers to work collaboratively to find viable solutions.
24. Support Volunteers of America’s anti-racism leadership and growth by being an active member of the Diversity or Justice committee.
25. Develop relationships with VA staff, Housing Authority, community partners, employers, and other referral networks.
26. Serve as a liaison between local HUD-VASH teams, attending all case conferencing with both HUD-VASH and SSVF teams and locally coordinating and planning to be responsive to the needs of unhoused Veterans in the service area.
27. Understand the barriers that clients in both urban and rural areas face and how to best serve clients in both of these areas.
28. Negotiate rental rates, review leases, and provide feedback to case consultation team.
29. Advocate with local public housing authorities and develop cooperative arrangements with government agencies and community partners in providing housing for unhoused families.
30. Conduct outreach to identify housing resources.
31. Comply with all policies and procedures of the program and the Council on Accreditation.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.