Housing Specialist

About PPL

Project for Pride in Living (PPL) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering low-income individuals and families to become self-reliant through integrated services in housing, employment, and education. We believe in the power of community and the potential of every person. When joining PPL, you become a part of a diverse team whose goal is to assist our residents and communities with the groundwork they need not only to survive but also to thrive.

Position Summary

The Housing Specialist provides invaluable person-centered services to help individuals experiencing homelessness find and secure long-term housing. Provide housing screening, intake, and placement for single adults and families in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. Build relationships with PPL property managers and private landlords.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with Manager to obtain a referral for families and single adults who are homeless and may have a disability through Hennepin and Ramsey County’s Coordinated Entry Systems
• Assess program eligibility; complete and submit required intake paperwork
• Keep accurate and timely paperwork and documentation
• Develop individualized housing search and placement plans for initial or transfer placements. Assist persons with identifying their housing and service preferences and needs and helping them resolve barriers to access
• Ensure that the unit is safe and ready to move-in. Perform Habitability Inspections and required recertification processes
• Connect participant to case manager for on-going services
• Provide tenancy sustaining services to include understanding the lease, communicating with property management, managing neighbor conflict, paying rent on time, and addressing other behaviors that may jeopardize housing
• Provide and/or facilitate translation and interpreting services

Minimum Requirements

• Office equipment including telephone, smartphone, and voicemail systems, copier, printer, scanner, and fax machine
• MS Word, Outlook, and Excel
• The Internet and electronic timecard system
• Computer Network (files, drives, and folders)
• Apricot or other database systems

Additional Requirements

• Adept in navigating Harm Reduction and the Housing First Model approach
• Ability to respond to the unique cultural, economic and social needs and resources of residents, using these unique resources to meet their goals
• Ability to provide crisis intervention and support
• Experience with housing placement, building and maintaining property management partnerships, working in a highly collaborative environment
• Existing knowledge of Chronic, HUD, and long term homeless definitions and verification processes preferred
• Experience with Motivational Interviewing, Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills a bonus
• Must have a valid driver’s license, a good driving record, proof of insurance and a reliable vehicle

Education and/or Experience

• A course of study in a health or human services-related field leading to a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Associate degree.
• 1-2 years of experience in housing search and placement with the target population served

Hours

• Full time, 40 hours per week;
  Non-Exempt M-F 9AM-5PM or similar

Benefits

• Health & Dental Insurance
• Employer-Paid Short & Long-Term Disability & Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• HSA or FSA Options
• PTO & Paid Holidays
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Summer Half-Day Fridays (Memorial Day-Labor Day)
• Meaningful work that impacts lives

Pay

$22-$24 per hour DOQ

Project forPride in Living, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity  compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the organization will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.