Housing Specialist

Job Description

Job Description:\n\n \n\nHousing Specialist\n \nABOUT US\n \nFounded in 1991, Hope Solutions, formerly Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, is a vibrant and socially responsive non-profit agency that provides permanent housing and vital support services to over 2,000 homeless or at-risk families and individuals in Contra Costa County. Over 40 faith-based communities support our work, although there are no religious requirements or affiliations to receive services.\n \nAre you seeking a new role that fully utilizes your talents and potential—while helping to make the world a better place? If so, please read on!\n \nWhat are you passionate about?\n \nAt Hope Solutions—we envision a world in which everyone has a place to call home and the support of a strong community so that they can live with dignity and reach their full potential. We strive to be inclusive and responsive to community needs. We are committed to excellence and accomplish our work with integrity, respect, compassion, and humility.\n \nHope Solution's mission is to heal the effects of poverty and homelessness by providing permanent housing and vital support services to highly vulnerable families and individuals.\n \nCould our mission be your mission?\n \nLearn more about us @ hopesolutions.org \n \nTEAM SNAPSHOT\n \nWe're adding to our team of passionate folks—who are on a mission to help make the lives of others better—through services and support that lead to a higher quality of life for our clients. \n \nWe'd like to learn more about you—apply for the role! What's our team like? \n \nHere's a snapshot of some of the folks at Hope Solutions who help advance our vision to achieve—secure housing and the dignity of self-sufficiency for the homeless and at-risk families and individuals in Contra Costa County.\n \nA FEW OF US...\n \nDeanne—Chief Executive Officer—Resides with her husband and three children. Enjoys hiking, camping, reading, cooking, and cheering at her kids' games.\n\nAlex—Chief Operating Officer—Lives with his wife, son, and dog (and loves when the grandkids visit!). MSW and macro social worker who enjoys reading, baseball (Go Giants!), cooking, hiking, jazz, and family time.\n \nChristina—Chief Financial Officer—Resides with her husband, son, two daughters, and their dog. MPA, Non-Profit Graduate Certificate, and 20+ years in finance; enjoys traveling and family time.\n \nBeth—Director of Clinical and Support Services—Resides with her sister and son. Licensed psychologist with 30+ years working with children and families; enjoys singing, cooking, gardening, and traveling.\n \nBill—Vice President of Programs—Resides with his partner. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 25+ years’ experience working with underserved populations, specialized training in somatic psychotherapy and end-of-life care; enjoys reading, gardening, and meditation.\n \nCayla—Director of Evaluation & Learning —Resides with her husband and children. MBA in Business Analytics that thrives on spreadsheet analysis, dashboard creation, and reading.\n \nDebbie—Director of Development & External Relations—Resides with her husband, two teenagers, and a rescue mutt. Leads external relations and development with 20+ years in marketing and communications.\n \nDominick—Director of Re-Entry Housing & Services—A fourth-generation San Francisco native and father of four, holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and an M.A. in Leadership. In his free time, he enjoys music, travel, nature, cooking, and quarterly wine trips.\n\nJennifer—Vice President of Strategy & Development—A California native, she spends her time with her loved ones hiking and exploring the region's coffee shops, farmer's markets, and festivals. She likes reading adventure novels and leadership books, as well as playing new board games and video games, and loves a good conversation. \n\nKristina—Director of Human Resources—With over 20 years of experience in HR, leadership, people management, and operations, she holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and is a SHRM-SCP certified professional. A Bay Area native and proud foodie, she lives with her child and enjoys spending time with her family, cycling, hiking, and keeping life light with laughter and fun.\n \nMashal—Director of Housing & Support Services—Resides in the Bay Area. Daughter of Afghan refugees; enjoys weekends with her son, concerts, reading, and Sonoma Coast drives; former Program Manager for housing and care for chronically homeless adults with AIDS/HIV; co-chair for Hope Solutions' CARE Committee and board member.\n \nRena—Director of Finance—Born and raised in Contra Costa County – California CPA with a dual degree in Accounting and Sociology from the University of Notre Dame (Go Irish!). Enjoys cooking, hosting dinner parties and hiking with her husband and two daughters.\n\nTanya—Director of Rapid Re-Housing & Navigation—Resides with her husband, daughter, and two sons. Master's in Counseling Psychology with 15+ years serving underserved populations; enjoys music, comedy, movies, exercising, and basketball.\n \nWHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:\n \nThe HDAP (Housing Disability Advocacy Program) Housing Specialist provides home-based management, ongoing assessment of consumer needs, and linkage to housing, medical, mental health, and recovery services for clients who are homeless, pending SSI benefits (Social Security Insurance), and receiving GA funds (General Assistance). Working collaboratively with program partners, Employment & Human Services Department, CORE Outreach Team, Contra County Health, Housing and Homeless Services, and with other community agencies, the HDAP Housing Specialist provides individualized support, recognizing that the needs of each client may vary. The role of the Housing Specialist is to help clients achieve self-sufficiency by assisting them with necessary resources and referrals. This includes achieving safe housing, healthy living goals, and improving financial literacy.\n \nInitial work includes assessing the client’s needs and barriers, collaboratively creating a Housing Stability Plan, and accessing any resources needed to further the goal of becoming/remaining housed. Housing Stability Plans may include financial support for a time-limited period. All Case Management services are participant-driven and delivered with a strength-based, trauma-informed approach. Case Management services are delivered in the community and at the client's home, at the client's convenience. Services offer a flexible level of intensity as needed and provide warm hand-offs to other providers if clients need further support after becoming stably housed.\n \nSupervisory Responsibility: None\n\nWHAT WILL YOU DO:\nClient Support: \n\nMeet with identified clients to complete housing needs assessments and create plans for obtaining safe, sustainable housing. \nAssist with data entry, rental subsidy, program incentive tracking for program participants, and tracking/reporting program data. \nAssist Team members on an as-needed basis with assessing client needs and service planning.  \nAssist clients with “document readiness” (gathering and maintaining verification documents required for housing applications) \nResearch and identify housing opportunities for clients as requested or needed. \nAssist clients in identifying and seeking desirable, appropriate housing options and mitigating screening barriers. \nProvide applicants with housing-related resources necessary to obtain and sustain housing placement, including information regarding tenant/landlord rights and responsibilities. \nPartner with Department staff and other community partners as needed to ensure coordination of care. \nTransport clients to meet with prospective landlords, complete housing applications, and inspect potential units on an as-needed basis. \nApply knowledge of residential leases to educate clients regarding their rights and responsibilities. \n\n \nLandlord/Community Outreach and Engagement: \n\nWork with community partners to assess housing barriers and the needs of clients experiencing homelessness who are eligible for services. \nMaintain key relationships with community service providers, Probation referral sources, and Coordinated Entry programs. \nDevelop outreach and marketing strategies to identify landlords and build housing inventory. Present to interested parties: target audiences will vary but may include faith communities, rental associations, board and care facilities, elected officials, and property management companies. \nIn partnership with Hope Solutions, brokered housing and property management staff collaborate regarding shared housing resources. \nProvide mediation and advocacy with landlords on clients’ behalf to assist with obtaining and/or maintaining housing. \nCreate and maintain consistent verbal and written communication channels between collaborating parties (i.e., tenant, landlord, referral sources, service agencies, debtors, and creditors). \n\n \nCultural Responsiveness:\n\nAwareness of and aptitude to understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based differences within group environments appropriately and effectively.\nKnowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice and housing justice.\nExperience fostering and reinforcing an environment that values unique experiences, cultures, personal humility and authenticity backgrounds, and goals.\nParticipate in and complete our new employee onboarding process, which includes reading and discussing a short chapter in the book, The Color of Law.\nReview and commit to our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging Commitment.\n\n \nOrganizational/Administrative Responsibilities:\n\nProfessionally represent Hope Solutions in all circumstances.\nComply with all legal/ethical professional guidelines for maintaining consumer confidentiality, adhering to HIPAA guidelines, protecting consumer rights, advocating on consumers' behalf, and assuring consumer safety.\nEstablish and maintain professional boundaries in working with clients.\nComply with all local, state, and federal regulations, policies, procedures, standards of practice, and outcome requirements of the Supportive Housing Program and Hope Solutions.\nAssist with distributing client satisfaction/feedback surveys for all clients served.\nAttend all required meetings, including but not limited to Hope Solutions staff, individual supervision, consumer case conferences, and linkage meetings with other agencies.\nEnsure timely and accurate data is entered into the (HMIS) database system.\nComplete required administrative paperwork and reports in a timely and accurate manner.\nOn-call, after-hours, and backup work for other team members may be required.\nPerform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.\n\n \nWork Location Classification:\n\nMobile: Work is performed across multiple locations and in the field rather than at one fixed site. This classification generally applies to program direct service roles that require travel to meet with clients, partners, or support program operations. \nWork from home must be approved in advance by the Program Director or Manager. Written approval (email) is required. \nAll new program employees are expected to work on-site for the first 90 calendar days. Any exception requires approval from the Program Director or Manager. \nProgram staff are expected to structure the workday with approximately six hours of face-face work and approximately two hours of administration/documentation time (this time can be averaged during a given week or month, depending on client and program need and with approval of the supervisor). \nClient-facing work may occur on-site or in the field, depending on the role and program needs, and may include appointments, sessions, engagements, support services, client-present coordination of community resources/services, and other direct service activities. \nThis expectation may flex to accommodate operational needs, client availability, safety concerns, or urgent program priorities while still meeting performance expectations. \nWhen requesting to work from home, the employee must make the request to their direct supervisor in advance. The request must include the requested date/hours, business reasons, and a work plan for the day. For urgent same-day situations, the employee must notify leadership as early as possible and follow directions regarding work-from-home approval, schedule adjustment, or use of leave time. \nWhen approved to work from home, employees must maintain confidentiality, work from a professional/private environment, complete assigned tasks and documentation on time, and track time accurately. \n\nPosition Qualifications:\n\nPassion for and demonstrated experience successfully supporting vulnerable populations, especially homeless individuals with mental health/substance use challenges.\nBA degree in social work or related field; equivalent experience will be considered.\nMinimum of two years’ experience in the human service field, preferably with housing retention barriers such as substance abuse, mental health, and/or income challenges.\nBilingual in English/Spanish preferred.\nOutstanding written and verbal communication skills.\nComputer proficiency in the use of Microsoft and database applications.\nMust have an operational vehicle, auto insurance, a valid California driver’s license, and be willing to drive for work.\nMust pass LiveScan screening and TB test.\nSalary contingent upon skill and experience.\n\n \nPhysical Qualifications:\n\nThe person in this position may make home visits to consumers who live in second or third-floor apartments (without elevators) and will need to be able to climb stairs.\nMay accompany consumers on walks to local resources (grocery store, childcare, parks) up to ½ mile in distance.\nMust be able to work in a desk setting for up to 3 hours at a time to make calls to consumers, research resources on the internet, and collaborate with community providers with calls/emails.\nOffice setting activities are required, such as typing on a laptop/computer to respond to emails, entering case notes into a database, copying and faxing forms and documents on a copy machine, related to maintaining or obtaining housing.\nOccasionally must be able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including furnishings for new residents, files, holiday gifts, and food donations.\nAbility to drive an automobile and transport oneself and consumers to appointments or meet at consumer homes, including driving at night.\n\nCompensation & Benefits:\n\nFlexible, dynamic work environment.\n100% premium paid for employee Kaiser health and dental care.\nMatched 403b retirement savings.\n11 paid holidays, plus 3 floating holidays.\nAbility to accrue 2-4 weeks' vacation depending on tenure.\nLife insurance and Employee Assistance Program.\n\n \nWe are an equal-opportunity employer. If you're a good fit, we want to meet you!\n \n* Please be advised that we are unable to provide sponsorship for this position. The nature of the work at Hope Solutions does not q