Housing Specialist

Housing Specialist

Location: NYC, NY

Reports To: Supervisor of Special Services

Department: Bridges to the Future

Schedule: Full Time / Hybrid

$1,000 Hiring Bonus

Agency Background:

MercyFirst is a not-for-profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894. Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life-changing interventions. We provide community-based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, MercyFirst serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re-imagine their futures and develop their full potential.

Program Background:

The bridges to the future program supports our foster care youth as they prepare for the future. The program provides teens and young adults with skills and testing to secure viable jobs, scholarship assistance to attend college or vocational school, obtain and maintain affordable housing in the community, and life skills coaches to guide them during the challenging transition from foster care to adulthood.

Position Summary:

The Housing Specialist is responsible for working with birth parents and youth in our Family Foster Care and Residential programs. The Housing Specialist will help our clients secure and obtain a permanent place to live. The ideal candidate will have experience working with at risk youth and have a strong knowledge base of the following: NYCHA, Supportive Housing, Section 8, and other related programs.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health)
• Related experience strongly preferred
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook, some knowledge of Excel
• Ability to file documentation accurately
• Ability to engage with clients
• Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency's Mission, core values, Sanctuary Commitments and social justice.

Responsibilities:

• Research and develop strategies and affordable housing resources to best meet the housing needs of families and youth through training, workshops and linkages with NYC and LI community resources, including but not limited to the NYCHA, Section 8, Voucher programs, private landlords, and NYNYIII HRA Supportive Housing.
• Assist clients throughout the housing application process, including submitting applications, preparation for eligibility interview, escort clients to apartment viewing, and completing lease signing.
• Monitor the submission and processing of clients' housing applications to ensure clients' timely access to all appropriate housing options.
• Ensures that all required forms and documentation are complete and submitted prior to the deadline
• Prepare and process housing subsidy requests, furniture and discharge grant requests.
• Assist clients in navigating Human Resources Administration appointments such as applying for public assistance, SNAP, Recertification, and rental arears assistance.
• Facilitate workshops for youth, on topics including but not limited to basic household management and budgeting practices, understanding the NYC housing process, understanding a lease, tenant/landlord issues, and using effective communication and advocacy skills
• Consult with casework teams, clients, ACS Staff to advocate and assist with all housing issues.
• Participate in Family Team Conferences, staff meetings, and other related meetings to report housing statuses of clients
• Collaborate and strengthen partnerships with community representatives to promote securing safe and affordable housing resources for clients
• Assists in identifying problems that prevent families from accessing housing and working with clients on resolving them
• Serve as the agency point person for our Hearts to Home partnership
• Complete administrative responsibilities, including entering progress notes in CONNECTIONS and Care4 Platforms

Benefits/Perks:

• A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental and vision plans for you and your family
• 403B retirement benefits
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, 12 paid holidays)
• Free employee assistance program through National EAP
• Insurance discounts for our staff and their families
• Trainings to support professional and personal development
• Employee wellness program
• Employee recognition activities

Salary Range: $54,000 - $58,000 per year

Hiring bonus - $1,000 after 500 worked hours

MercyFirst is an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer who welcomes prospective employees from diverse backgrounds for all levels at the agency. We strive for a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve, and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age (18 and over), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, marital status, partnership status, care giver status, pregnancy, genetic information or predisposition or genetic characteristic, unemployment status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, consumer credit history, or any other status protected by federal, state, and/or city law. This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment.