Housing Specialist - Homeless Families - NYC

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Urban Resource Institute (URI) is a dynamic innovative and wellrespected organization founded in 1980 that transforms the lives of domestic violence survivors and homeless families through safe shelter and comprehensive services; delivers prevention and intervention programs that break cycles of violence and poverty; and actively works for sustainable systemic change. URI is the oldest licensed provider of domestic violence (DV) shelter and services in New York State and is the largest provider in the United States of DV shelter services as well as a leading provider of shelter and services for homeless families. URI has a deep commitment to diversity equity and inclusion among leadership staff and clients at residential and nonresidential sites across New York City.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Housing Specialist is responsible for addressing the housing needs of clients residing in
URIs homeless shelters. The Housing Specialist assists clients as they transition from shelter to
permanent housing. He/she is responsible for identifying permanent housing options
developing and maintaining a database of housing resources conducting individual sessions
and support groups around housing issues and providing referrals advocacy followup and
assistance with housing applications. The Housing Specialist also develops partnerships with
government and community agencies to help increase clients access to meaningful housing.

Salary: $42000 $46000

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assess clients housing needs and develop an individualized plan to secure safe
  affordable housing.
• Assess clients eligibility for governmentfinanced housing programs including subsidies
  and benefit programs.
• Participate as member of interdisciplinary team in determining clients immediate
  needs functional capabilities and assistance needed to stabilize housing and increase
  independent functioning
• Conduct regular meetings with clients (at least biweekly) to review housing options exit
  strategies
• Develop and maintain relationships with brokers and landlords in an effort to secure a
  pool of available apartments of all sizes and rent levels to be offered to housingready
  families
• Facilitate clients ability to view at least three apartments each week. Assist clients to secure and complete applications for permanent housing and collect the necessary documents for affordable and subsidized housing.
• Engage in community outreach efforts to identify housing opportunities and maintain a
  database of resources including a listing of brokers landlords and management
  companies.
• Develop and facilitate educational workshops and groups focused on housing (including
  available housing resources apartment search techniques mock interviews and other
  best practices).
• Develop and maintain relationships with government partners and supportive
  communitybased organizations.
• Participate in team meetings case conferences and meetings with prospective brokers
  and landlords.
• Prepare weekly housing status and other DHS required reports as directed
• Work with clients to identify ways in which to resolve adverse credit reports
• Participate in monthly staff meetings case conferences and training seminars
  conducted to enhance ones skills
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Social Work Supervisor

SPECIFICATIONS FOR EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES

• Bachelors Degree in Human Services or related field.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of one year counseling experience and two years of experience in housing
  development/management real estate or case management.
• Demonstrated sensitivity and experience with and/or knowledge of homelessness
  within disenfranchised communities including individuals whom identify as lesbian gay
  bisexual transgender queer and/or HIVaffected the elderly and individuals with
  substance abuse and/or mental health issues.
• Familiarity with DHS regulations and DHS Cares Reporting
• Must have excellent communication skills the ability to write and record case
  documentation skills in group counseling working knowledge of family issues
  sensitivity to the needs of homeless families have a demonstrated ability to advocate
  and provide followup around housing issues and able to conduct housing specific
  workshops.
• Possess knowledge and skills necessary to develop strong linkages with city
  and private housing agencies as well as the ability to secure permanent housing for
  homeless population.
• Must have ability to be flexible with schedule as needed
• Employee must be computerliterate and must have knowledge of Microsoft

Urban Resource Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority