HUD Housing Specialist (Limited Duration through 12/31/2026)

Job Description

Job Description

What is the position? Housing Specialist - Housing & Urban Development (HUD) – Limited Duration through 12/31/2026

Full-time or part-time? Full-time (40 hrs./wk.), generally Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm, occasional Saturday or Sunday availability required

What’s the pay? $22.30 – $26.47/hr. (non-exempt), depending on experience

Where will I be working? This position offers a hybrid work benefit and the primary in-office location will be at our main Gateway office in Portland

Do you offer benefits? We have a generous benefits package – see below for details

What’s the position all about?

As a Housing Specialist, you’ll work directly with individuals and families experiencing homelessness, helping them navigate the path to stable housing. This role focuses on housing search and placement within HUD-funded programs, including Rapid Re-Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing.

You’ll partner closely with participants to identify their strengths, goals, and barriers, while also building relationships with landlords and community partners to create real housing opportunities. From intake to move-in, you’ll be a key advocate, problem-solver, and guide to help people secure housing and take the next steps toward stability.

This is a highly collaborative role where you’ll work alongside a dedicated HUD team and connect regularly with service providers, property managers, and community resources.

What will I be expected to do?

• Conduct intakes, assessments, and housing plans with participants using a strengths-based approach.
• Support individuals and families through the housing search and application process, including overcoming barriers to placement.
• Build and maintain relationships with landlords and community partners to expand housing opportunities.
• Assist with housing inspections and ensure units meet program requirements.
• Provide ongoing support and advocacy to help participants successfully secure housing.
• Monitor progress, adjust plans as needed, and connect participants to resources such as legal, financial, or behavioral health services.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to coordinate services and support participant success.
• Stay current on housing laws, tenant rights, and Fair Housing practices.
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure compliance with HUD and program requirements.
• Step in to support team needs, including occasional backup for Family Advocates.

What can I bring to the table?

We recognize that people gain skills through many different paths. Candidates who meet most of the qualifications are encouraged to apply.

• Any combination of education and work experience in social services and case management totaling one year or a bachelor’s 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.

• Ability to support individuals navigating homelessness, poverty, and complex life challenges.
• Strong relationship-building skills and a non-judgmental, culturally responsive approach.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, trauma-informed care and strengths-based service models.
• Comfort navigating sensitive topics and helping people problem-solve barriers to housing.
• Resourcefulness and persistence in identifying housing opportunities and community resources.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with teams and partners.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, especially with documentation.
• Basic to intermediate computer skills (Office suite).
• Bilingual/bicultural skills are a plus.

So, about that generous benefits package …

We’re here to support our employees maintain a healthy work/life balance by providing:

• Free (employer-paid premiums) for employee health insurance (medical, dental, vision) with our base HMO plan and deductible reimbursement starting the first of the month 30 days after your start date.
• Flexible spending accounts for health and for dependent care.
• Free (employer-paid premiums) for short-term and long-term disability insurance, and life insurance.
• Opportunity to contribute to a 401k retirement plan with a 2% employer match after three months of employment.
• Generous paid time off (PTO), 13 paid holidays, and a floating birthday holiday.
• A six-week paid sabbatical after every seven years of consecutive employment with Our Just Future.
• Access to an employee assistance program.

Want to help make a difference?

Our Just Future (OJF) counters the forces that keep people and communities in poverty by building relationships and assets that create opportunity today and for future generations.

We partner with people and communities impacted by poverty so they can achieve long-term housing and economic security. We invest in affordable housing and community assets that contribute to strong, inclusive neighborhoods. We advocate with our community for policies and investments that expand housing and economic opportunity, eliminate wealth inequality and end poverty .

East Portland/East Multnomah County, Oregon is our home and the heart of our investments, advocacy and programs.

Our Just Future envisions vibrant, healthy neighborhoods where all people can share the security, hopes, and advantages of a thriving, supportive community.

Our Just Future operates as a nimble, financially strong organization driven by our passion, strategic goals and guiding principles.

Diversity, inclusion and equity are fundamental values for Our Just Future’s, both internally and externally. OJF has an Anti-Oppression Diversity Committee, which serves as a sounding board for new internal policies and procedures to make sure that we’re taking into account diversity and inclusion. It also helps with diversity-related projects, such as coordinating staff diversity trainings and providing ongoing input into our equity work.

Our Just Future is working to end homelessness and poverty in our community because every one of us deserves a safe place to call home.