Housing Specialist

Position Description

The Housing Specialist will be responsible for assisting clients of the New Broadway Family Shelter in finding next step housing.  This includes completing accurate assessments of each client’s next step housing needs, developing next step housing placement goals and service plans in collaboration with each client, and assisting clients in accessing benefits to obtain next step housing.  

Essential Job Functions

The following duties are mandatory requirements of the job:

1. Maintain a caseload of approximately 35 families
2. Assess housing history and independent living skills of clients 
3. Assist clients with applying for all Housing Subsidies such as SOTA, NYCHA, NYC Housing Connect, Project Reconnect, and Family Reunification.   
4. Prepare weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports for DHS
5. Identify apartments for client placement that meet safety and health standards of the City of New York; escort clients to apartment viewings. 
6. Coordinate care with clients’ Case Managers to ensure that they have access to a full range of community-based services, including services provided by Harlem United, as well as agencies with which Harlem United has formal linkage agreements.
7. Maintain up-to-date charts to reflect the client’s status in the housing process
8. Provide services designed to enhance clients’ independent living skills, thereby promoting clients’ housing stability.
9. Provide clients with financial management skills, helping clients understand budgeting, managing bill payments and saving money.  
10. Provide clients with assistance in establishing the household, including bill payments, division of household responsibility (for families), maintenance tasks and nutrition.   
11. Perform monthly apartment inspections to ensure clients maintain their living space as sustainable and habitable. Place clients in appropriate level housing and provide ongoing intensive housing retention services to clients in their homes in the form of a minimum of one home visit per month.  
12. Assist clients with lease negotiations and advocate with landlords on behalf of clients as needed.
13. Maintain required housing records in CARES
14. Participate in administrative and clinical supervision on a weekly basis
15. Participate in all team and agency meetings as required
16. Facilitate Housing Workshop Groups monthly
17. One late night a week is required

Other Responsibilities

1. Perform tasks and duties as assigned by supervisor and appointed staff.
2. Ability to communicate effectively with all staff and clients.
3. Drivers license preferred.
   
   

Education and Certification 

Bachelor’s degree preferred, or high school diploma or equivalent plus 3 years relevant experience working with the target population.

Special Skills and Knowledge

In addition to the above-listed job responsibilities and educational requirements, the ideal candidate for this position should possess most or all of the following:

1. A strong working knowledge/background working with homeless families with children 
2. Knowledge of community resources for homeless youth and children
3. Basic computer literacy (e.g., Microsoft Word, e-mail, Excel, internet browsing)
4. Crisis management and de-escalation skills
5. Knowledgeable in the use of Motivational Interviewing and Harm Reduction 
6. Willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule, not 100% confined to regular business hours
7. Bilingual preferred
8. Experience with and commitment to a client-centered approach