Rapid Rehousing Specialist

TITLE: Rapid Rehousing Specialist

POSITION DETAILS: 20 hours / week with the ability to work evenings, weekends, and overtime as required).

SoHum Housing Opportunities, Inc. (SHO) is a housing outreach service based in Southern Humboldt County that offers the full continuum of services to individuals and families who are experiencing housing and/or food insecurity. We are a locally, state and federally funded agency that serves the unhoused community with compassion, dignity, and empowerment using a Housing First philosophy.

As the Rapid Rehousing Specialist, you will play an essential role in connecting eligible participants with both interim and permanent housing options, serving as the liaison with case managers, landlords, transportation and other services. Your work will be an important component of the ERF-3-R grant funding to transition unhoused individuals out of identified encampments into interim and/or permanent housing.

Job Status:

This is a grant-funded position with employment anticipated through June 30, 2027, aligned with the duration of the grant. Continuation of the position beyond this date depends on the availability of additional funding and is not guaranteed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Apply Housing First principles in interacting with program participants and their needs;

• Communicate with RRHC contracted Case Managers to develop and maintain list of potential permanent housing candidates.

• Create SHO Rapid Rehousing Team with Program Manager oversight.

• Become familiar with area encampments and develop contacts with encampment residents.

• Create resource list of suitable, available SoHum rentals and establish relations with landlords.

• Maintain contacts and communications with community organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau, Real Estate groups and others to inform of activities and solicit support.

• Become familiar with all affordable and other available housing options both within SoHum and in other parts of Humboldt County.

• Assist with Rental Orientation: Orientation should be had with each newly housed, or relocated, tenant before housing is provided. This includes the following interactions:

• Verbal explanation of the tenant’s participation within their assigned housing program.

• Signing of lease.

• Assistance with rental support from grant funds as appropriate.

• Verbal education and explanation of rules and expectations upon housing placement. This includes both SHO program, and potential landlord’s, rules and regulations.

• Explanation of their income calculation and rental payment, as well as their delivery of rental notification letter.

• Review and educate tenants about the lead-based paint pamphlet, and repair request instructions; and

• Educate tenants of their rights, the grievance procedure, complaint procedure and any further information regarding their tenancy.

• Assist with Lease Documents: Leases and subleases must be acquired, and signed, for all housed tenants. Each lease/sublease must be explained to the tenant, then signed by SHO designated agent.

• Inspections: Monthly housing inspections must be carried out to assure that use of space, cleanliness, safety, and comfort are all being held to standards. Annual HQS inspections must be done to ensure that all rentals are habitable and safe environments for participating tenants. Inspections will be held once per month for the first 6 months; following the initial 6 months, inspections will be once every 6 months/twice per year, through the program duration.

• Track all necessary permanent housing placement activities (HMIS-Homeless Management Information System) related to the ERF-3-R grant necessary to assure compliance with the grant requirements and performance.

• Compose and/or edit a variety of documents including press releases, announcements, notices, correspondences, memoranda, manuals, brochures, reports and handouts.

• Prepare complex routine and non-routine reports (including annual reports) as requested utilizing a variety of software; receive, sort, and summarize material for the preparation of the report.

• Ensure compliance with ERF-3-R grant and other appropriate local, state and federal regulations.

• Always Represent SHO in a professional manner; and

• Perform other related duties and tasks as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s degree or higher with training in communication skills.

• Five years of experience working in a community service capacity.

• Ability to work quickly and to remain calm under pressure.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly with diverse populations.

• Understand and maintain confidentiality.

• Valid CA driver’s license and acceptable driving record.

• Desire to be part of a close working team with common goals and have a positive attitude.

• Ability to follow written and oral instructions in English.

• Satisfactory criminal records check.

• Must be eligible to work in the United States and provide work authorization.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Computer and database skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.

• Able to multitask and handle multiple requests from different individuals and departments.

• Highly organized and capable of creating organizational systems that others can easily utilize.

• Able to maintain accurate and systematic records.

• Able to prioritize and self-direct.

• Able to adapt to new and challenging situations.

• Current food handler certification completed at the time of hire if not before; and

• Maintain reliable and predictable attendance.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Housing First principles and practices.

• State and Federal laws, regulations, and guidelines.

• California workplace safety standards.

• Standard business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals; and

• Experience working with the unhoused population.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $28.00 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 20 per week

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $28