Housing Solutions Specialist (WC)

Position Title: Housing Solutions Specialist

Program: Whatcom Housing

Location: Bellingham, WA

Reports to: Program Director of Whatcom Housing

Hours: 40 hours per week; Monday – Friday, day shift, non-exempt position

Starting wage range: $27.00 - $30.39

NWYS Mission

At Northwest Youth Services, we affirm youth experience and autonomy as we work together to foster collective healing and justice, in order to dismantle the systems of oppression that perpetuate youth homelessness. We believe that every young person deserves a supportive community and a home where they can thrive.

Position Summary

This position supports the success of NWYS by The Housing Solutions Specialist is the primary housing navigation point of contact for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability in Whatcom County. This position serves as the central point of contact for youth referred through the Ground Floor drop-in center, outreach teams, or internal programs requiring housing support. This position provides direct service to vulnerable youth and young adults and requires proven approachability, adaptive, and professional skills.

The Housing Solutions Specialist conducts housing assessments, identifies appropriate housing pathways, and supports access to homelessness prevention and diversion resources, emergency housing, rapid re-housing, Transitional Living Programs, and housing program waiting lists through the Youth Housing Interest Pool. The role provides ongoing, housing-focused case management for youth on the Youth Housing Interest Pool while they await housing placement and supports transitions into housing when opportunities become available.

The position is primarily based at the Ground Floor drop-in center and includes travel throughout Whatcom County. Transporting youth is a required function of this role.

Key Responsibilities

This job description reflects the essential functions of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned in response to program needs, funding requirements, and organizational priorities.

Housing Intake, Assessment, and Navigation

• Collaborate with Housing Case Managers, Ground Floor staff, outreach teams, and community partners to identify youth needing support.
• Conduct housing assessments to identify immediate needs, housing barriers, eligibility, and appropriate housing pathways.
• Work directly with youth to access housing options, including homelessness prevention and diversion programs, emergency housing, rapid re-housing, transitional living programs, and other community-based housing resources.
• Facilitate strengths-based diversion and prevention conversations to identify safe solutions for housing.
• Assist youth with applications and documentation required for housing diversion and flex fund programs.
• Complete Coordinated Entry assessments in HMIS for youth and young adults ages 17–24.
• Manage Coordinated Entry referrals, documentation, follow-up, and placement coordination within the local Coordinated Entry system.

Youth Housing Interest Pool Management

• Maintain and manage the Youth Housing Interest Pool as the centralized housing waiting list for youth, including adding new youth, updating housing check-ins, and conducting regular outreach to maintain engagement.
• Provide ongoing navigation support to youth while they are on the Youth Housing Interest Pool and awaiting placement.
• Monitor youth status, readiness, and documentation while on the waiting list and support preparation for housing placement.
• Participate in case conferencing with internal teams and external partners, including the Community Resource Network and Whatcom Homeless Service Center.
• Serve as a consistent housing-focused point of contact for internal teams and community partners.

Data, Documentation, and Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete participant records and referrals in HMIS and internal systems in accordance with NWYS policies and funder requirements.
• Coordinate secure document exchange with partner agencies and housing providers.
• Collaborate with data, housing, and finance teams to support data quality, reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Participate in staff meetings, team meetings, case conferences, training, and required professional development.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and equity-centered workplace aligned with NWYS values.
• Keep the supervisor informed of significant youth needs, system barriers, and emerging housing access challenges.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25-50 pounds. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to use screens. While performing these job duties, the employee is regularly required to listen to others and to provide verbal feedback. The employee is required to frequently sit for extended periods of time, stand, walk, climb and/or balance. Direct service employees must be able to tolerate complex and intense mental and emotional circumstances for the duration of the shift, and must be able to perform CPR, the Heimlich Maneuver, and other first aid measures when required. Direct service positions require on-site presence.

Travel Requirements (positions that include driving)

This position requires frequent driving, including transporting youth in accordance with agency policies. The employee must be able to safely operate a personal vehicle and move between locations throughout the workday.

Minimum Qualifications

• Six years of combined education and experience in working with youth.Relevant experience may include community-based work, outreach, advocacy, direct service, lived experience, training, or formal education
• Valid Washington State driver’s license, acceptable driving record, proof of auto insurance, and ability to use a personal vehicle for work-related travel and youth transportation
• Background check clearance

Required within the first 30 days of employment (conditions of employment):

• Food Handler’s Certificate (positions handling food)
• Must have negative TB test
• Full understanding of the CPS mandatory reporting requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience working with system-involved youth and/or youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability
• Training in de-escalation, harm reduction, mental health first aid, trauma-informed care, or related areas
• Lived experience relevant to the youth and communities served
• Bilingual in English/Spanish (a 5% wage premium is offered)

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and integrity, including maintaining appropriate boundaries and confidentiality
• Strong communication skills, including clear information sharing, active listening, and respectful, direct dialogue
• Initiative and problem-solving skills, with the ability to take ownership of work and approach challenges with a solution-focused mindset
• Sound judgment and critical thinking, including understanding role boundaries, following policies, and seeking guidance when needed
• Commitment to continuous learning, reflection, and professional growth
• Effective time and task management, with the ability to prioritize work and adapt to changing demands
• Flexibility and adaptability in dynamic, community-based environments
• Commitment to equity-centered practice, including cultural humility, awareness of systemic barriers, and respectful engagement across diverse identities and lived experiences

Northwest Youth Services is an Equal Opportunity employer. Employment is based upon individual qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, veteran status, disabilities, political ideology, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

• Earn paid time off based on hoursworked
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance benefits begin first of the month following date of hire (positions at or above 0.75 FTE)
• Voluntary life, critical illness, long term disability, and accident insurance eligibility begins first of the month following date of hire (positions at or above 0.75 FTE)
• Simple IRA Retirement plan with match up to 3% of employee contributions, per pay period, after first year of employment
• NWYS sponsored Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Twelve paid holidays annually

Northwest Youth Services participates in E-Verify.