Housing Specialist

Housing Specialist

The Housing Specialist plays a key role in supporting housing stability and entitlements coordination for formerly homeless clients enrolled in GMHC's Supportive Housing programs. This role ensures contract compliance, promotes client engagement based on individual needs, and contributes to long-term housing retention. The Housing Specialist works closely with the Senior Director, Residence Management to ensure that all residential units meet program standards and remain aligned with client wellness and housing goals.

Essential Job Functions

The Housing Specialist will be responsible for the following duties:

Client Housing Support & Services

• Provide a range of client-related services including employment search, career advancement, financial counseling, and assistance with benefits and entitlements (application, renewal, and support).
• Support the case management team with the onboarding and offboarding of clients.
• Assist clients in maintaining housing permanence by monitoring and collecting monthly rent payments.
• Conduct home visits and apartment inspections across the five boroughs to ensure housing quality and client stability.
• Attend and participate in case conferences with clients and service providers to ensure coordinated care and housing retention.
• Collaborate with clients to develop individualized service plans that promote housing stability and support long-term self-sufficiency.

Housing Operations, Coordination & Compliance

• Assist the Senior Director with managing client and residence census records.
• Work collaboratively to resolve rental discrepancies, general complaints, and apartment repair issues.
• Update and maintain internal and external reporting systems (e.g., TREAT, AWARDS) with client services and property management data.
• Complete all required documentation and reports, including HMIS reports, income verification, inspection forms, and home visit records.
• Participate in regular team meetings, supervision sessions, and agency-wide quality improvement initiatives (e.g., CQI projects, dashboards).
• Contribute to the success of internal audits and funder reviews by ensuring timely and accurate completion of deliverables.

Landlord Relations & Housing Resource Development

• Act as a liaison between clients, landlords, HRA, HUD, HPA, and other relevant agencies to maintain positive housing relationships.
• Support the identification and cultivation of new housing partnerships, including brokers, landlords, and management companies.
• Monitor and report on housing market trends to inform placement and retention strategies.

Program Support & Special Projects

• Assist with internal housing team projects and cross-departmental initiatives as assigned by the supervisor.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of special projects that promote housing access, financial literacy, or client engagement.
• Represent the Housing team in interagency meetings, trainings, and community engagement opportunities as needed.

Special Skills and Knowledge

In addition to the above-listed job responsibilities and educational requirements, the ideal candidate for this position possesses most or all of the following:

Required

• Strong understanding of housing resources, entitlements, and case management strategies to support housing stability.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, data-driven, performance-based environment.
• Ability to work independently and think critically is required.
• Exceptional active listening skills with the ability to communicate professionally and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, including individuals with HIV/AIDS, substance use disorders, and mental health challenges.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently within an interdisciplinary team.
• Commitment to performing duties from a place of empathy and understanding.

Preferred

• Background working with non-profit agencies or work on behalf of LGBTQ+ communities and/or people living with HIV is highly desirable.
• Experience with other historically marginalized communities (in a professional or volunteer capacity) is also desirable.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills are a strong plus.

Education and Certification

• Required : High School Diploma, G.E.D., or H.S.E. and at minimum 5 years' experience working with clients facing housing-related challenges.
• Preferred : Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, or a related field.

Technical Skills

The ideal candidate should have the following technical competencies to effectively manage case documentation, reporting, and client services:

Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including:

• Data tracking and analysis for case management and program reporting.
• Creating and managing spreadsheets to monitor client progress and deliverables.
• Using formulas, pivot tables, and data validation to ensure accuracy in documentation.

Basic Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including:

• Outlook (email communication, scheduling, and coordination with service providers).
• Word (creating case notes, service plans, and official correspondence).
• PowerPoint (preparing presentations for internal and external stakeholders).

Experience with electronic case management and data tracking systems, such as:

• eCOMPAS, AWARDS, or similar platforms for documentation and compliance reporting.
• Data entry and management to ensure contract deliverables are accurately recorded.

Familiarity with government benefit systems and entitlement programs, including:

• Social Security, Medicaid, SNAP, and Housing Assistance Programs.
• Ability to navigate online portals and submit required client documentation.

Strong documentation and compliance skills, ensuring:

• Accurate case notes and service plans in adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA and other legal protections.

Work Environment & Schedule

• This is a hybrid position requiring a mix of:
• Fieldwork (conducting home visits, client escorts, and community outreach).
• In-office duties (team meetings, case conferencing, and reporting).
• Remote work as determined by the supervisor based on program needs.
• Participation in the annual AIDS Walk New York event is mandatory for all GMHC staff.

Physical Demands

• Travel & Mobility : Frequent travel across the five boroughs of New York City using public transportation. The role often involves walking between sites and navigating stairs within residential buildings.
• Physical Activity : The employee must regularly stand, walk, and move throughout residential units and office spaces. Occasional lifting or carrying of supplies (typically up to 25 pounds) may be required.
• Sitting: The position predominantly involves sitting for extended periods, which is typical for office environments. The employee will be required to maintain this position while performing most of their daily tasks.
• Communication: Regular participation in conversations is necessary. This involves both speaking and actively listening to colleagues, stakeholders, and external partners during meetings, presentations, and one-on-one discussions.
• Note-Taking & Documentation: The ability to listen attentively and take detailed notes during meetings and other communicative sessions is crucial. This often requires a high level of focus and manual dexterity to write or type for prolonged periods.

GMHC supports a racially and gender-diverse environment which contributes to a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Working at GMHC requires a demonstrated awareness of and commitment to the concerns of the breadth of the communities that we serve.