Housing Specialist

Reports to:Community Programs Manager
Hours:Full Time (M-F 8-5) (occasional Saturday or Sunday availability required)
Pay Rate:$22.08-26.21/hour DOE
FLSA Status:Temporary Non-Exempt Not Eligible for Benefits
Location:Gateway Office Portland OR

WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

For over 30 years Our Just Future (formerly Human Solutions) has been working to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by empowering families and helping them build pathways out of poverty.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Housing Specialist provides strengths-based culturally responsive advocacy to families and individuals experiencing homelessness including those with complex needs such as disabilities mental health conditions and substance use histories using Assertive Engagement and Trauma-Informed Care. This role supports participants in housing search and placement by conducting screenings and intakes providing ongoing case management identifying natural supports and connecting households to community resources to secure safe and stable housing. Working within HUD-funded Rapid Re-Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing programs the Housing Specialist partners with landlords and community agencies to expand housing options and collaborates closely with an internal HUD team to support participants from intake through successful housing placement.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct housing intakes and in-depth strengths-based assessments to identify families goals barriers housing and employment history health needs legal and financial issues social supports and available resources.
• Support families through the housing search and placement process by addressing barriers assisting with applications drafting letters of explanation and requesting reasonable accommodations as needed.
• Provide ongoing client-centered case management and supportive services aligned with individualized housing plans monitoring progress and adjusting supports to promote housing stability.
• Ensure compliance with HUD program requirements including intake documentation annual recertifications interim changes housing inspections and ongoing eligibility.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with landlords and property managers addressing tenancy-related issues and advocating for families to support successful housing outcomes.
• Connect families to community resources and partner with service providers to address needs related to housing stability counseling legal support and other critical services.
• Deliver services in a culturally responsive manner to families of diverse backgrounds identities abilities and family configurations.
• Maintain accurate timely and complete documentation in accordance with Our Just Future policies procedures and data reporting systems.
• Stay informed on regional housing laws tenants rights and Fair Housing regulations.
• Provide temporary coverage for HUD Family Advocates during staff shortages as needed.
• Assist in developing and maintaining partnerships with community agencies landlords and other housing providers and identify opportunities to expand housing resources.
• Participate in supervision team meetings trainings and community outreach or interagency meetings as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned demonstrating flexibility collaboration and a cooperative spirit in support of program and organizational needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of client-centered strengths-based service planning and engagement models including Trauma-Informed Care and Assertive Engagement and an understanding of how trauma poverty mental health and substance use impact families experiencing homelessness
• Understanding of local and regional housing systems tenantlandlord laws Fair Housing and community resources serving homeless and low-income populations or the ability to quickly learn and apply this knowledge.
• Ability to empower participants through collaborative non-judgmental engagement including discussing sensitive topics and supporting goal setting and problem-solving.
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with internal teams community partners landlords and diverse populations in a culturally responsive manner.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a team environment maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality and complete accurate timely documentation in compliance with program requirements.

• Bi-Lingual/Bi-Cultural preferred but not required.
• English fluency required written and spoken.
• General computer and word processing skills and willingness to advance computer skills with experience and intermediate skills with Microsoft Office (Word Excel Outlook).

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Any combination of education and work experience in social services and case management totaling one year or a bachelors degree in social service/social sciences field with at least six (6) months case management experience
• Experience with crisis intervention community networking and resource development.
• Experience delivering services in a culturally responsive approach using Assertive Engagement techniques (i.e. Strength Based Case Management Motivational Interviewing and Assertive Community Treatment).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must be able to sit for long periods. He or she must be physically able to operate a telephone fax machine computer ten-key and copy machine. Some walking is required. Occasional lifting of up to fifteen pounds may be required.


WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Hybrid work between both virtual and office time is expected following the most current OJF policy and in coordination with the supervisor and work person meetings with participants in the office community and/or in their home is expected.