Housing Stabilization Specialist

Program: Philadelphia Rapid Rehousing | 4910 Wyalusing Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131  What You’ll Do As a Housing Stabilization Specialist for one of our Supportive Housing Programs, you’ll be responsible for care coordination and housing stability services for about 25 clients and their households. You’ll maintain client records to meet funder and regulatory requirements, assist clients with housing stability services, coordinate rental assistance and subsidy programs, provide financial and budgeting education, conduct regular home visits, obtain and/or maintain entitlements, provide educational and employment assistance, and make referrals as needed. Your responsibilities will include: Conducting client intakes, obtaining documentation to verify clients’ eligibility, and coordinating with shelter and housing staff to ensure clients’ enrollment is successful. Helping clients develop housing retention plans and providing housing retention counseling that includes all aspects of housing financial well-being, such as understanding credit, budgeting, and savings, as well as specific actions to avoid rental delinquency and resulting evictions. Maintaining documentation of client progress in case records in compliance with all contractual and regulatory standards. Mediating between clients and property management to address any repairs, rental arrears, or other delinquency that could lead to eviction. Assisting clients in the completion and submission of applications for Supportive Housing programs, HPD and HDC lotteries, NYCHA, and other low-income/affordable housing programs. Building and sustaining relationships with key staff of local housing and social services organizations and other key community institutions to help programmatic supportive housing and retention efforts. Serving as liaison and staff lead for any ACS and APS cases, Fair Hearings, child-related matters, and housing court.  Educating and assisting clients on eligibility for Medicaid, Medicare, public assistance, SSI, and other benefits. Helping clients with resume writing and job leads and making referrals to employment, job readiness, vocational, and training programs when appropriate. Staying up to date with supportive housing trends, with a special focus on eviction prevention and affordable housing, as well as developments related to welfare reform, public assistance, SSI, and other entitlements, substance abuse, and criminal justice. Participating in the organization and delivery of special events, including Client Advisory Board and program meetings to help and encourage clients to play an active role in the supportive housing program. You’re a great fit for this role if you have: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience and skills. At least one year of relevant experience in a social service setting that deals with homelessness and mental health including experience in housing placement, stabilization, and/or retention services, with three years of experience preferred. Experience with providing services to people experiencing homelessness and the ability to successfully achieve permanent housing and self-sufficiency goals. Experience with and a basic understanding of chronic homelessness, harm reduction and Housing First model. SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) certification is preferred but can be earned within three months of employment. Knowledge of community services, rental assistance, conflict and resolution, and strengths-based care. Strong oral, written, and negotiation skills and experience with providing client advocacy and mediation. Excellent organizational and documentation skills to enable management of multiple priorities in a time-sensitive manner. Ability to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment. Ability to take the initiative, be dependable and resourceful, and pay keen attention to detail. Knowledge and understanding of team concepts are preferred. Computer literacy, particularly with Microsoft Office applications.

Salary : $18 - $21