KHFS Housing Locator

Title: Housing Locator

Department: Katherine Hanley Family Shelter

Reports to: Assistant Director of KHFS

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary: $52-$56K

About Us:

Shelter House was established in 1981 as a grassroots responder to the homelessness crisis in Fairfax County. Since the organizations inception we have adapted and grown to meet community needs all while working in partnership with government and private partners and community members. Today Shelter House is a successful and reputable organization of over 100 employees committed to preventing and ending homelessness and domestic the last year our compassionate team of individuals changed the lives of nearly 2000 individuals half of which were children.

Our Culture is built from our Core Values of Inclusivity Collaboration Accountability Respect and Empowerment (iC.A.R.E.). In addition to our incredible mission and culture we offer our employees a work-life balance 401K (with employer matching) and core benefits (medical/dental/vision) for full-time employees with a generous employer contribution towards premiums.

About the Role:

The Housing Locator is responsible for cultivating and maintaining positive relationships with landlords by marketing KHFS programs and services. The Housing Locator facilitates communication between landlords and clients as needed and empowers clients by providing housing related training (ex: maintaining a household tenant rights negotiating leases landlord communication etc.). The Housing Locator works collaboratively with the case management team to assist families in formulating and following a housing plan and a budget and identifying housing opportunities. He/she works collaboratively with the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness and other county agencies nonprofits and faith organizations to identify affordable housing options for families.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Landlord Relations:

• ProactivelyandcreativelyseeknewhousingopportunitiesandresourcesinFairfaxandotherlocalitiestoassistfamilies with locatinghousing

• Buildandmaintainrelationshipswitharealandlordswhowillworkwithfamilieswithmultiple barriers

• MaintainaLandlordDatabasetoincludecontactinformationforalllandlordsthathavesignedleaseswith clientsserved

• Regularlycommunicatewithlandlordstomaintainapositiveworkingrelationshipwhereverpossible.

• Develop andutilizemarketing materials geared toward landlord and partnerrecruitment.

Client and Case Manager Relations:

• Conduct initial Planning for Housing meeting with each family entering the shelter within one week of shelter entry to create a housing plan with similarassistancetopreventionclients as needed.

• Regularly collaborate and communicate with Case Managersregardingclients.

• Facilitate initial communication between landlords and theclients

• Accompany and / or transport clients via the KHFS van to view potential housingoptions

• Negotiate leases on behalf of clients in collaboration with case managers and theclient

• MaintaincasedocumentationusingHMISandinaccordancewithagencyandbeststandardpractice.

• Assistfamilies with obtaining rentalassistancemoneyutilizinga variety of fundingsources.

• Disseminate relevant and available housingoptionsinformation to clients andappropriate staffmembers Rate rentals (asestablishedby HUD) voucher programs public housing programs transitional housing programs PSHetc.

• Assistfamiliesasneededduringtheirmoveintopermanenthousingincollaborationwithotherinvolved staff andpartners.

• Develop andfacilitatetrainings and workshops for clients on topics including but not limited to tenant rightsandresponsibilitieshousingdiscriminationcommunicatingwithlandlordshowtoreadaleaseidentifyingroommatesmaintaininga householdetc.

Other Duties:

• Collaborate with other Housing Locators within Fairfax County to stay current on best practices and local resources

• Participate in staff meetings and trainings as directed by supervisor

• Ensure compliance with all agency and program policies

• Proficiently utilize Google Suites applications (email calendar drive docs etc) as a part of day-to-day work requirements

• Safely utilize Shelter House owned vehicles to drive clients to various locations.

• Demonstrate positive role modeling for clients and contribute to the health well-being and comfort of clients by exhibiting the Shelter House Core Values (iCARE); Inclusivity Collaboration Accountability Respect and Empowerment

• Other duties as assigned.

About You:

Required:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university or commensurate experience

• Ability to develop strong working relationships with client population be able to relate to individuals making significant life decisions and be supportive of individuals increasing independence.

• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills

• Must also be able to deliver effective training prepare written reports and maintain client documentation with minimal errors

• Ability to prioritize competing responsibilities and thrive in a challenging situation

• Proficient skill level in Microsoft Office (Word Excel Power Point)

• Valid Drivers License/ 50% local travel required

• Work evenings and weekends as needed

Preferred:

• Experience with Google Applications

• Knowledge of Housing programs in Fairfax County

• Experience supporting programs serving homeless families and those diagnosed with physical or mental disabilities

Physical Requirements:

• Annual TB Test is required

• Ability to sit or stand for long periods

• Ability to lift items weighing 10-20 pounds

Benefits:

• Medical Dental & Vision Insurance

• 401K contributions with a 4% employer match

• 13 Paid Holidays 2 Floating Holidays and the opportunity to take your Birthday Off

• Two Semi-Annual Team Building Events

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy: Shelter House is committed toprovidingequal employmentopportunityto all employees and applicants. All employment-related decisions will be made and carried out without regard to race color religion national origin ancestry citizenship age (over 40) sex marital status pregnancy sexual orientation gender identity veteran status disability unrelated to the individuals ability to perform his or her job or any other legally protected status. Shelter House will also provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant and qualified employees with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their job and to employees with respect to their observance of their religious beliefsin accordance withapplicable law. Any job applicant or employee who would like or needsan accommodationmay requestan accommodationby contacting the Human Resources department.

Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy:

Drug-Free Workplace: Shelter House is committed tomaintaininga drug-free workplace. Employment is contingent upon compliance with our Drug-Free Workplace Policy which prohibits the unlawful manufacture sale distribution dispensation possession or use of controlled substances or marijuana in the workplace. Additionally all subcontracts and purchase orders over $10000 must include provisions ensuring a drug-free workplace.