Housing Specialist - Forensic Housing & Recovery through Peer Services (FHARPS)

Services include:

• Person-driven housing exploration

• Landlord outreach and engagement

• Employment services

• Activities of daily living services

• Social and interpersonal relationships and leisure time

Participants have access to short-term housing bridge subsidies to reduce barriers and increase access to housing options. The team links participants to long term providers including mental health and substance use treatment providers, foundational community supports, and other providers as appropriate.

The Housing Specialist is responsible for reviewing housing needs and linking clients to appropriate housing service providers in the community. The Housing Specialist provides in-person, telephone, and outreach services to clients to assist with searching for longer-term housing options. After housing is located assistance is also provided with placement into the housing and the Specialist completes follow-up for clients on the emergency housing voucher program. The Housing Specialist builds partnerships with local housing resources, landlords, and various housing programs within Region 1 (Spokane, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Lincoln, Adams, and Ferry counties). The Specialists partners with other programs within FBH which focus on clients who have been involved with the criminal justice system. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.

• Develop a collaborative individualized, strengths-based housing plan inclusive of action steps for housing-related issues. The individual would set goals and develop a housing plan with the assistance of the Housing Specialist.

• Contact eligible individuals no later than one calendar day following referral, utilizing mobile crisis teams when HARPS is not available.

• Update the Housing Plan as the individual’s needs and circumstances change.

• Complete progress notes to document the individual’s progress toward permanent supportive housing.

• Provide multiple contacts as needed, per week with individuals to assist with their housing needs and any crises that may occur that could jeopardize their housing.

• Provide coaching, advocacy, information and referral, linkage and coordination with resources, and ongoing supports.

• Assist with completion of required paperwork for tenancy.

• Attend program-related community, coalition, and committee meetings such as coordinated entry as assigned.

• Manage caseload in accordance with agency guidelines, Care plan development and implementation, risk assessment and management, and assessment of measurable progress.

• Participate in local homeless continuum of care group or local homeless planning groups.

• Work closely with Housing voucher distribution to support successful implementation of voucher requirements.

• Assist the individual in creating an individualized housing acquisition and maintenance plan that focuses on the individual’s choice in housing.

• Provided services to assist in obtaining and maintaining housing.

• Provide outreach, tenant support, and independent living skill building supports.

• Network and develop relationships with local landlords and property managers in efforts to build relationships and successful placement opportunities for the clients we serve.

• Work with landlords and property managers to assist with obtaining and maintaining stable housing for the client.

• Maintain client records and all other required documentation in a timely and confidential manner, in accordance with agency policies and procedures.

• Other duties as assigned by agency or supervisor.

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL HAVE:

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field from an accredited college or university.

• Must submit for Agency Affiliation within 30 days of first day of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Sensitivity to individuals’ unique cultural characteristics, and to the challenges faced by the socioeconomically disadvantaged.

• Ability to communicate and engage effectively with individuals of varied backgrounds, cultures, education level and socio-economic status.

• Must have reliable transportation, insurance and an active drivers’ license and be willing to use personal vehicle in the course of work.

PHYSICAL, SENSORY & ENVIRONMENTAL:

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position provided client services in community settings daily.  Community settings include but are not limited to residences, group/congregate living settings, hospitals, shelters, the streets or anywhere in the community at large. Some environments may not be ideal in terms of cleanliness or being habitable.

• Daily travel between locations is required.

• The ability to drive a vehicle, traverse distances up to several city blocks and on various terrains, navigate stairs, get in and out of vehicles frequently is required.

• Daily use of a computer is required.

• May be required to lift 10 - 20 pounds. 

• Blood-borne Pathogen Category IV - No predictable exposure to blood-borne pathogens.