ILSP Housing Coordinator

Job Description

Job Description

Are you dedicated to empowering and supporting youth, regardless of their background? We're searching for passionate individuals to make a positive impact on the lives of foster youth. Become an integral part of their transformative journey and join the First Place for Youth team. 

About First Place for Youth, we’re a leading non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, with a focus on education, employment, and housing. We believe that all young people deserve the opportunity to thrive and lead successful, independent lives. Our comprehensive programs empower foster youth to overcome the unique challenges they face and build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed.

  Why Work at First Place for Youth :

• Meaningful Impact :  Help to transform the lives of foster youth on the cusp of adulthood. Your role will support them in their journey to conquer challenges, achieve independence, and fulfill their aspirations.
• Innovative Approach:  We thrive on innovation, pushing the boundaries of foster care support. Your voice here matters, and you’ll contribute to programs that redefine the futures of these young lives.
• Collaborative and Supportive Environment: Embrace a dynamic and supportive workplace, where every team member is valued. Together, we're a force dedicated to uplifting youth. Expect professional growth, fueled by teamwork and collaboration.
• Comprehensive Benefits: We value the well-being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package. From health and wellness benefits to retirement plans, we ensure that our team members are taken care of so they can focus on their important work supporting foster youth.
• Culture of Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate diversity in every form. At First Place for Youth, inclusivity reigns, creating a workplace where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Housing Coordinator supports the San Francisco Independent Living Program (SF ILSP) participants with a variety of needs related to finding and maintaining stable housing. The Housing Coordinator partners with County Social Workers and other caring adult supporters as they work with youth to review housing options and may serve as intermediary between the landlord/property manager and participant. The Housing Coordinator will primarily work with older youth who are living independently and/or are transitioning out of the foster care system. They will work with ILSP participants to remove housing related barriers and meet identified housing goals. They may provide intensive, weekly case management for some individuals who are at-risk of homelessness or are currently homeless. They may provide various resources and education regarding availability and process for obtaining housing with a keen focus on housing procurement, retention, and long-term stability. The Housing Coordinator will conduct a variety of workshops that support youth to find and maintain housing. The Housing Coordinator may provide technical assistance to staff and other community members and is a valued resource for information in and around San Francisco including neighboring Bay Area counties. The Coordinator will work closely with all First Place housing programs to ensure seamless enrollment whenever possible.

This work is done at the SF ILSP center, at the local high schools throughout the Bay, in the community, and occasionally onsite at our Oakland Headquarter office in person. The ILSP Center is open 10-6:30pm Monday through Friday, with an occasional evening to provide a safe and healthy space for youth to spend time in. This is currently an in-office position requiring onsite work in San Francisco between business hours of 9:30am-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, including 1-2 days per month onsite at our Oakland location, with the occasional evening. Onsite requirement subject to change with notice.

DUTIES + RESPONSIBILITIES :

Responsible for providing Housing Coordination to participants in Program:

• Conduct a variety of workshops including, but not limited to: Transitional Housing for Non-Minor Dependents, THP+, Housing Choice Voucher, local coordinated entry systems and their services, Move-In Move-Out Best Practices, Good Neighbor/Tenant Habits, Tenant Rights and Fair Housing, Housing Resources, How to get on Affordable Housing Lists
• Conduct assessment, planning, and implementation of services for assigned participants to identify and accomplish short and long-term goals.
• Provide direct participant support in response to participant needs.
• Create and deliver impactful housing plans for participants that focus on achieving outcomes in the areas of wellness, budgeting, long-term housing, education, employment, parenting, relationships and overall health.
• Coordinate with referral agencies, identify community resources, track participants’ progress, and develop creative ways for participants to practice and strengthen their independent living skills.
• Prepare clients to maintain housing after program exit or help them to identify alternative housing options if necessary.
• Support participants to develop and practice social emotional learning skills that promote conflict resolution and decision making.

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Create new linkages with community-based organizations, on-site resources and housing stability support through the case management process to help build youth transition to independent living.

• Help participants move into supported housing. This includes helping participants to secure and transport furniture, shop for home necessities, and locate resources in their new community
• Ensure that apartments meet cleanliness standards by conducting apartment inspections
• Display and disseminate relevant community resources and provide eviction prevention support as needed
• Client meetings scheduled as needed to ensure successful transition to independent living
• Coordinate community events and workshops to assist youth with independent living skills
• Actively participate in weekly coordination meetings with ILSP and County staff and other agency partners

Documentation/Administrative Duties

• Attend weekly program meetings, monthly agency staff meetings, and individual weekly supervision with Program Manager
• Maintain files for caseload and update monthly paperwork
• Ensure proper and timely documentation of services including written case notes
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization and within respective department
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree preferred or a combination of education and experience that demonstrates a capacity to assist participants secure and maintain housing in a variety of housing placement and programs.
• Minimum two years of experience working in affordable housing, homeless services, property management, child welfare social services setting or with transition age youth with complex presentations including chronic trauma
• A strong dedication to cultural competency that creates conditions that remove barriers.
• Must be comfortable working in community settings.
• Must be able to pass a Community Care Licensing background check.
• Ability to work with high level of detail, work has high level of professional polish down to smallest details, documents and products are well thought out and clear, database is organized and up to date.
• Clarity on project goals and the personal drive to accomplish goals, finished projects are thorough and delivered on time. High level of personal accountability for the quality and impact of work.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Project and Outlook. Experience with database systems is a plus.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills including the demonstrated ability to research, assimilate, and analyze information, compose engaging messages, and present data in a clear and inspiring manner.
• A high level of professionalism in work and interpersonal interactions with both internal and external contacts, presents to others as organized, informed, and friendly.
• Well-honed ability to independently anticipate and analyze situations, define problems and objectives, recognize viable alternatives, and formulate rapid solutions, with understanding of the inherent risks and the implications of making tough decisions.
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend work and some travel as needed.

*We do not offer relocation assistance Local candidates preferred

*Pay will be determined based on Education and Experience. 

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of transition age foster youth and want to join a dynamic and impactful organization, we invite you to apply. Together, let's empower transition age foster youth to achieve their dreams and build a brighter future. To learn more about First Place For Youth and view our current job openings, please visit our website at

We are unable to sponsor work visas now or in the future. 

First Place will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and applicable law. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage or reviewing this guidance provide by the City of San Francisco. For additional information regarding your rights, please also review the Summary of Your Rights Under the FCRA.