Outreach Specialist

As the third-party administrator of the Flexible Housing Pool (FHP), the Center for Housing and Health (CHH) is charged with maintaining a portfolio of quality, readily accessible housing for program participants. The Flexible Housing Pool is a multisector investment in housing that aims to expand the number of units available to people in Chicago and Cook County experiencing homelessness. CHH leads a partnership of 20 subcontracted community-based organizations providing tenancy support to program participants. The Flexible Housing Pool (FHP) Outreach Worker provides comprehensive, individualized support services using a client centered harm reduction, trauma informed model for clients in the flexible Housing Pool. Responsibilities include outreach to street and shelter-based clients across the Chicagoland area, linkage to temporary housing, accompanying clients to medical & benefits appointments and connecting clients to Case Managers and community- based resources.

The annual salary for this position is $50,000 annually.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively engages with referred individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability in the community, identifying their housing needs, providing support, and connecting them with appropriate housing resources and social services to help achieve stable housing.
• Actively searching for individuals experiencing homelessness in public spaces, shelters, and or other locations to connect them with services.
• Outreach services include completing intakes and eligibility assessments to homeless individuals and/or families.
• Identifying client needs and connecting them to FHP programs that will lead to suitable housing options, providing required documentation, and advocating for their needs.
• Conduct daily outreach and visits.
• Perform crisis intervention and interventions as needed using Harm reduction & Trauma informed philosophies.
• Coordinate moving, furniture, and starter kit resources for bridge interim housing.
• Identifying housing eligibility, and income documentation. Give basic education on life skills to include personal hygiene and housekeeping skills.
• Maintain appropriate and timely communication with Partner agencies, Care Coordinators, and Hospital partners to ensure eligibility requirements are met.
• Enter all referrals in Case Worthy and HMIS.
• Complete all Flexible Housing Pool paperwork and additional agency paperwork when necessary.

General Program Supports

• Support coordination and monitoring of program participant move-in to temporary (“bridge”) housing.
• Monitor and document program participant move in move outs of Bridge Unit/Hotel.
• Provide professional customer service when responding to and addressing applicant/participant concerns/complaints.
• Complete CES assessments required for all Outreach referrals.
• Work in collaboration with the Flexible Housing Pool systems Integration TEAM (SIT) to receive referrals for additional services, attend all SIT meetings to provide updates, address client concerns and successes and troubleshoot issues with peers.

Quality Assurance

• Complete and update data entry in Case Worthy (case management and leasing database) in an accurate and timely manner
• Meet or exceed monthly program goals.
• Submit Weekly/Monthly Quality Assurance reports.

Other

• Participate in annual internal trainings regarding fair housing laws and tenant-landlord rental ordinances; Stay abreast of fair housing laws and tenant-landlord rental ordinances.
• Actively participate in agency, department, and team meetings.
• Assist with agency-wide activities as directed, including Annual Meeting, AIDS Run & Walk, and other.
• Participate in voluntary or assigned professional development opportunities.
• Protect organization’s values and manage risk by keeping information confidential and following HIPAA regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social service or related field, or 1 or more years of Supportive Housing/ Case Management experience
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable vehicle insurance
• Reliable vehicle transportation

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social service or related field, and 1 or more years of Supportive Housing/ Case Management experience
• 3 or more years in Housing/Homelessness or related field
• Bi-lingual, Spanish-speaking

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Exceptional time management skills
• Strong ability to multi-task in a fast-paced work environment
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong communication skills to work with and address different constituencies (staff and program participants)
• Knowledge and understanding of applicable housing/rental laws, with training and guidance.
• Openness to learning about a variety of Chicago neighborhoods/wards and suburban Cook County suburbs.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft applications, including Outlook and Excel

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• HMIS/CES Skilled Accessor

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The position requires being out in the community approximately 70% of the time, along with operating a car and traveling throughout the city of Chicago. Task may include walk, climb stairs, and navigating seasonal elements. he position includes approximately 30% of the time being in a work environment representative of that found in a general office environment. Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (up to 10 pounds.) Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and on the telephone.

As the third-party administrator of the Flexible Housing Pool (FHP), the Center for Housing and Health (CHH) is charged with maintaining a portfolio of quality, readily accessible housing for program participants. The Flexible Housing Pool is a multisector investment in housing that aims to expand the number of units available to people in Chicago and Cook County experiencing homelessness. CHH leads a partnership of 20 subcontracted community-based organizations providing tenancy support to program participants. The Flexible Housing Pool (FHP) Outreach Worker provides comprehensive, individualized support services using a client centered harm reduction, trauma informed model for clients in the flexible Housing Pool. Responsibilities include outreach to street and shelter-based clients across the Chicagoland area, linkage to temporary housing, accompanying clients to medical & benefits appointments and connecting clients to Case Managers and community- based resources.

Benefits Offered

We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees’ well-being and work-life balance, including:

• Health Insurance: Multiple health plan options, including HMO and PPO, with some plans available at no cost for qualifying employees
• Dental and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive dental coverage with minimal employee contribution and affordable vision insurance options
• Retirement Savings: Eligible employees can join AFC’s retirement plan and make Roth or pre-tax contributions directly from their paycheck
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO policy to support personal time and well-being
• Flexible Scheduling: Options for hybrid, remote, or on-site work models tailored to individual needs
• Life and Disability Insurance: Employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance, along with short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential resources for personal and professional support, including mental health services
• Additional Perks: Access to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), pet insurance, legal assistance, and a discount program with over 300,000 vendors