Housing Specialist

Job Title: Housing Specialist- Marian Hall

Reports to: Fair Futures Supervisor

Location: 337 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003

Hours: 35 Hours/Week; Non-Exempt

Salary Range: 50K-55K Annually based on relevant post graduate education and experience

Job Summary:

Youth aging out of care in NYC face many hurdles in obtaining housing, including lack of affordable housing. The Housing Specialist will utilize a developmental approach to provide housing support to participants 17 years old and older. Supports will include developing housing leads and resources to help them locate housing; facilitating workshops to build their skills and increase knowledge related to living independently and transitioning into the community; advocating on behalf of youth with landlords and brokers to overcome any challenges to securing suitable housing; and assisting with securing resources to help with moving expenses. Each area of focus requires expertise to ensure the youth can access housing opportunities, be supported emotionally, and continue to be plugged into to a supportive network after locating housing.

Major Duties:

• Provides housing assistance to young people in foster care including NYCHA, Section 8, supportive housing, Housing Connect and other forms of housing.
• Develops and maintains up to date information about housing issues, available subsidies, and programs.
• Work with participants to develop and implement individualized goals based upon the specific service needs of the participant, and with a focus on moving into to a more independent living opportunity.
• Collaborate with Property Manager to ensure all housing requirements are communicated to residents and maintained.
• Develop and facilitate workshops to build skills and increase knowledge around living independently. Provides expert consultation/guidance to EFFC/TFFC casework staff in their work with families with particular emphasis on those who need housing assistance.
• Works directly with participants to assist them with housing services/problems. This may include accompanying them to apply for subsidies and to housing court appointments and fair hearings.
• Establishes and maintains linkages with various programs providing housing services including ACS HPAD, NYCHA, DHS, EHV, Section 8 and various shelters, eviction prevention programs, legal services, realtors etc. Makes/assists with referrals as appropriate.
• Participates in all conferences and/or meetings related to the discharge or preparation for young adulthood, i.e., Family Team Conferences, Clinical Meetings, Trial/Final Discharge meetings, goal changes and permanency planning conferences.
• Remain familiar with current Section 8 and other housing voucher policies and procedures, and train and inform staff about housing related issues including all housing application matters.
• Complete a 3- and 6-month assessment for youth who have transitioned out of foster care into their own home.
• Represents GSS at outside meetings/conferences/workshops particularly as they relate to housing and foster care issues as required by the agency.
• Maintain accurate documentation and complete the timely entry of progress notes into CONNECTIONS and Care4 in accordance with state and agency standard.
• Implement the Fair Futures Model and attend mandatory agency and Fair Futures trainings.
• Integrate the Sanctuary Model SELF (Safety, Emotional Management, Loss and Future) framework into daily practice to ensure quality care and an effective work environment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree Preferred
• Associates Degree Required
• Ability to work independently, demonstrate good judgement, and prioritize skills.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills to maintain required documentation.
• Must be able to use public transportation systems, including subways and busses to attend various meetings and make home visits.
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength based and/or youth development perspective.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Must have knowledge of Connections and Microsoft Suite.
• Must have ability to work a flexible schedule when needed including some evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Must have a commitment to GSS models of practice including Sanctuary and ACS principles to promote permanency, safety, and well-being.
• Good basic knowledge of housing field and service options
• Minimum of one year's experience in child welfare or related systems desirable.
• Ability to relate to a wide variety of program participants and staff.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and organizational skills necessary.
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength based and/or youth development perspective.