Housing Case Manager – Youth and Young Adults

The Youth and Young Adult Housing Case Manager provides housing focused case management advocacy and supportive services to youth and young adults between the ages of 18 24 experiencing homelessness or housing instability. This role focuses on helping clients achieve housing stability increase self-sufficiency and build long-term support networks. The Case Manager uses a trauma-informed strengths-based and youth-centered approach to meet young people where they are and support them in navigating complex systems. Functions performed include housing location housing stability planning connection to community resources home visits rental payment monitoring landlord engagement and problem solving. The principal duties are performed both in a general office environment and in the field and community where participants reside. This position may require evening or occasional weekend hours based on youth needs.

This position is funded in whole by One80 Places Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program grant.

One80 Place ends and prevents homelessness throughout South Carolina with offices located in Charleston and Columbia. This position will be based in Charleston.

STATUS: Full-time Regular / Exempt

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bachelors degree in social work psychology human services or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).

2. Experience working with youth and young adults particularly those impacted by homelessness foster care involvement trauma or system involvement.

3. Knowledge of trauma-informed care and positive youth development.

4. Strong communication de-escalation and relationship-building skills.

5. Ability to work independently manage time well and adapt to crisis situations.

6. Familiarity with housing programs local resources and HMIS is a plus.

7. Valid drivers license and reliable transportation. Ability to travel throughout the 7-county service area - Beaufort Berkeley Charleston Colleton Dorchester Hampton and Jasper.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Client Engagement and Case Management

1. Provide trauma-informed youth-centered case management through home visits outreach and community-based support.

2. Assess client needs conduct intakes and develop individualized service plans with measurable housing-stability and self-sufficiency goals.

3. Support youth in obtaining and maintaining safe stable housing including emergency shelter transitional living and permanent housing.

4. Link and advocate for youth to access housing healthcare behavioral health education employment and other supportive services.

5. Build life skills essential to housing stability such as budgeting self-care and system navigation.

6. Deliver crisis intervention de-escalation emotional support and conflict resolution as needed.

7. Maintain an appropriate caseload and provide ongoing in-person case management and follow-up.

8. Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure coordinated continuous care.

Service Navigation and Advocacy

1. Connect clients to community resources such as healthcare mental health services SNAP TANF education programs job training and legal assistance.

2. Advocate for youth with landlords schools employers and service providers to reduce barriers.

3. Collaborate with local shelters drop-in centers outreach teams child welfare and juvenile justice agencies to coordinate care.

Housing Supports

1. Assist with housing applications documentation budgeting and understanding leases.

2. Provide support around move-in and lease-up including obtaining furnishings supplies and essential items.

3. Educate youth on tenant rights landlord communication and housing retention strategies.

Documentation & Compliance

1. Maintain accurate timely documentation in HMIS in compliance with agency and funding requirements.

Outreach & Engagement

1. Conduct street-based school-based or community outreach to identify and engage unstably housed youth.

2. Build trusting relationships with youth who may be hesitant to engage in services.

Program & Team Collaboration

1. Participate in team meetings case conferences and staff meetings.

2. Contribute to program development evaluation and continuous quality improvement.

3. Attend relevant training on topics affecting homeless youth and young adults.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SENSORY DEMANDS:

1. Corrective vision and hearing to normal range.
2. Ability to move between service locations
3. Ability to lift 50 lbs.
4. Ability to relate effectively to individuals experiencing homelessness.
5. Possible exposure to communicable diseases and vicarious trauma.
6. Requires sound mental reasoning sound judgment and the ability to respond calmy and effectively in a crisis.