MSC Housing Specialist

Overview

Position: Housing Specialist

Reports To: Manager of Housing

Status: Full Time Hourly

Under the direct supervision of the Manager of Housing Specialists, the Housing Specialist will provide housing-focused specialized services to homeless individuals and families. The Housing Specialist uses a housing-first approach and best practices in all interactions with guests. The Housing Specialist follows established low-barrier guidelines to create a safe and stable environment for individuals and families entering the program. The Housing Specialist should adopt and practice the following models:
Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Progressive Engagement, Person-Centered Case Planning, Harm Reduction, among other HF emerging models. The Housing Specialist requires a high degree of ethic, compassion, professionalism, commitment, flexibility, accountability, and adaptability in order to effectively uphold Coalition Values and maintain an environment of dignity, respect and cooperation.

• Maintain an approximate caseload of 25 to 35 guests.
• Facilitate immediate needs connections such as resources on housing, relocation, family reintegration and other creative solutions, including connections with mainstream benefits such as support with enrollment and/or employment opportunities to increase income and linkages to community resources while seeking affordable housing options.
• Evaluate cases in HMIS immediately towards identifying individual options such as Chronic Homelessness, Disabilities, Diversion Services Provided, Double Dipping of providers, HOPWA eligibility, YOUTH RRH, etc.
• Attend HSN registry meetings for chronic homelessness and/or rapid re-housing as needed.
• Coordinate meetings with newly assigned or transferred guests immediately.
• Work collaboratively to develop a Housing Personalized Plan (HPP) with guests towards identifying housing options and/or creative solutions to homelessness crisis, based on individual preferences, choices and strengths.
• Complete monthly exit reports in U Drive based on case summaries Thoroughness.
• Evaluate and adjust Housing Plan any time action steps are completed and new goals/steps arise. Requires accountability and ongoing follow ups.
• Empower guests to become proactively involved in their own housing planning and goals setting while motivating them constantly.
• Complete case notes on every face-to-face, telephone, or email contact with guest or collateral contact within 24 hours.
• Complete all individual service transactions in HMIS.
• Regularly schedule appointments with guests to ensure that they are on target with their Housing Plan.
• Maintain and submit data required for all monthly reports, including VOCA, referrals, etc.
• Distribute referrals as needed and check with referral agencies for follow-up information when needed. Referrals may include resources for immediate housing placement, day care, tangible goods, health care, employment programs, and behavioral health among others.
• Work in collaboration with programs and all other agency staff to facilitate a team environment and effective guest-oriented quality services.
• Maintain client files in accordance with grant requirements (Case Notes, Case Plan, Incomes, Budget, Housing, etc.).
• Request “Staffing Sessions” to Supervisor of Housing Initiatives. Bring Staffing case notes or details to the meeting towards a better advocacy and general presentation of the case.
• Read communication book every day and address matters concerning guests in a timely, proactive manner.
• Participate in and follow up on Dorms Inspections findings on a regular basis.
• Consistently demonstrate effective teamwork and be a model of collaboration.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills in building relationships with all coworkers and guests.
• Be available to fill in or support other guests as needed.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all agency information, including guests, colleagues, and agency processes.
• Immediately address and investigate all Incident Reports involving guests and document thoroughly in the service point system.
• Conduct case discharges before 3 PM.
• Assist with the general operations as assigned by the…