Housing Specialist; Case Managers

The Center for Urban Community Services, a national leader in the development of effective housing and service initiatives for homeless people, invites applications for a Housing Specialist at The Kelly Safe Haven, a 60-bed mental health safe haven in west Harlem. The Kelly provides street homeless individuals with mental illness assistance in obtaining permanent supportive housing. A Housing First/harm reduction model is used to engage people who might otherwise not accept services.

A multidisciplinary staff works collaboratively with the clients and their street outreach team on recovery and housing goals.

The Housing Specialist is responsible for working with an assigned group of clients to help them obtain housing; helping clients live full and satisfying lives in the community; help their team and program to function well and meet their contractual obligations including achieving contracted housing placement goals; and striving, as appropriate to their role, to fulfill the CUCS program’s core purpose, core values and vision statements.

The Housing Specialist may be assigned additional responsibilities, such as caring a caseload of dedicated clients.

• Completing housing applications, including assisting with obtaining all supporting documentation, including proof of benefits/income, identification and other required documents
• Maintaining an updated knowledge and understanding of city agencies and subsidies available to clients
• Attending all trainings and meetings related to housing through DHS
• Assisting clients with obtaining housing subsidies appropriate for their needed level of housing
• Managing all databases and systems for housing applications
• Preparing clients for housing interviews and supporting them through the
• Collaborating with Outreach team on housing goals.

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Strong writing skills and computer literacy required
• Bilingual Spanish /English preferred
• Experience with DHS CARES preferred