Housing Liaison

Description

SUMMARY

The Housing Liaison is a member of the Housing Services and Adult Services Programs, which involves strategically assessing and expanding current local housing inventory to best support and collaborate with community partner efforts on rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and housing voucher acceptance for individuals/families who are currently experiencing homelessness. The Housing Liaison’s primary function is to recruit and cultivate positive relationships with local property owners and landlords to identify and procure habitable housing options in support of the Haven for Hope programs. In addition, this position complements the Haven for Hope programs by providing post-placement conflict resolution and mediation services for clients’ housing stability and requires a high degree of creativity, public relations skills, organization, and ability to adapt services for person-centered approaches.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

• Facilitates assessment and planning of Person-Center Housing Plans to assess strengths and barriers in relation to securing permanent housing, as well as identifying the need for supportive services specific to the client.
• Identifies appropriate permanent housing options for clients, such as subsidized housing, Section 8, Shelter Plus Care, VASH, permanent supportive housing, affordable and market rate housing, and other housing opportunities.
• Assists clients with housing applications, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, survey rental market for affordable housing, and advocate for clients with prospective landlords.
• Supports Haven for Hope teams with all processes, tracking and communication for Public and Section 8 Housing.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with landlords and management companies in the community for the purpose of securing non-traditional housing solutions for affordable housing.
• Provides education to clients to support their successful transition into the community.
• Assists with referrals to appropriate community resources to support each client’s housing stability
• Provides support with move out process, which includes habitability inspections, donation referrals, and lease signings.
• Maintains written and computerized records, compiles reports and completes other program documentation, to include case notes, services and data management.
• Facilitates group presentations and workshops on topics related to tenancy and community integration.
• Coordinates ongoing events to support partnerships with housing resources, which includes Landlord Appreciation Events, Housing/Resource Fairs.
• Establishes and cultivates partnerships with community-based support services, to connect clients to all available and appropriate resources.
• Works collaboratively as a member of an assigned team, to include involvement in staffing and ongoing communication about client strengths and needs.
• Participates in ongoing training requirements of the position, as well as other training that targets professional development needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION.

• Minimum required completion of high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
• Preferred Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a Human/Social Services, Psychology, Social Work, or related field.

EXPERIENCE.

• One year direct practice successfully assisting individuals or families who have experienced homelessness to secure and retain permanent housing.  Experience with Section 8 housing, public housing and supportive housing is preferred.
• Candidates with shared lived experience with homelessness, mental health and/or substance abuse challenges are a plus.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES.

• Patience, creativity, flexibility, compassion, and sensitivity to persons with disabilities and underserved populations.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, to represent Haven for Hope, recruit housing partners, and educate about how to support clients with histories of homelessness and traumas.
• Excellent administrative ability, including organizational skills, attention to detail and strong computer skills
• Ability to be self-directed and to take initiative, which includes ability to discern when to seek supervision
• Strong creative and critical thinking skills, to include the ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, and project consequences of proposed actions.
• Ability to work collaboratively and be invested as a member of the assigned Haven for Hope Team.
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills
• Ability to engage with and sustain partner and client relationships
• Knowledge of local housing programs and requirements, and homeless services within the Bexar County area
• Familiarity with Federal and State Local Agencies involved in housing and housing policy.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Prefer a valid Texas Driver’s License, a good driving record, reliable transportation, and proper insurance coverage on automobile used for work. Monthly reimbursement for applicable and documented work-related expenditure is provided. Travel within the city and its surrounding areas will be required (if applicable).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS.

The physical 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. Standard physical activity such as periodic standing, walking, sitting, basic motor skills to access computer files for information or simple data entry. In addition, this requires frequent walking and standing, accessing housing facilities located off Haven’s campus, driving vehicles, and engaging in other physical activities necessary to manage and support the Housing team.

WORK ENVIRONMENT.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. This position may require work to be performed outdoors, or in non-climate controlled environments, particularly when working at off-campus locations.

BENEFITS

• Fully paid base employee medical coverage
• Fully paid short- and long-term disability coverage
• Fully paid base life insurance coverage
• Optional spouse, child, or family medical coverage
• Optional dental and vision coverage
• 403b Retirement Plan with 6% company match
• Up to 25 paid days off per year in first year (PTO eligibility increases as tenure rises)
• 13 company holidays

Salary : $35,252 - $52,879