Consumer Advocate, Transition

ABOUT US: - We believe that everyone deserves a home!


Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness.


But we didn't stop at providing housing. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness - especially those who have been on the streets the longest - to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get, and stay, on the path to a permanent home.


Reporting to the Senior Consumer Advocate, Transition, the Consumer Advocate, Transition provides guidance and support to clients through the move-in process into permanent housing. The Consumer Advocate, Transition builds relationships with clients by utilizing motivational interviewing and their lived experience to support, encourage, and assist clients towards obtaining housing.


The Consumer Advocate, Transition escorts clients to housing interviews and viewings and enters all required data into required databases. The Consumer Advocate, Transition provides post move-in support ensuring that clients are acclimating to their new home and helping navigate community resources.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide support to ensure clients are prepared for the housing process by conducting mock interviews
• Draw on lived experience of homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues to build rapport with clients and develop appropriate service connections
• Escort clients to housing interviews and viewings
• Provide clients with support on move-in day into permanent housing, ensuring client is safe, secure, and has the necessary items
• Provide clients with community resources (pre and post move-in), as needed
• Conduct health surveys before move-in and every 6 months, for 2 years and update tracker
• Maintain records in compliance with agency standards and those of City, State, and Federal agencies
• Document all client interactions in AWARDS database system
• Attend clinical supervision and training
• Perform other duties as assigned

• High School diploma or equivalent required
• Minimum 2 years of experience working with homeless adults and substance use issues preferred
• Lived experience with homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues, and willingness to appropriately use lived experience as a tool for building client rapport and developing service connection preferred
• Knowledge of local benefit agencies (e.g., Public Assistance) and familiarity with substance abuse, mental health, immigration, and employment resources
• Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders
• Valid NY, NJ, CT, or PA driver's license with a good driving record, as defined by Breaking Ground is preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams required; familiarity with AWARDS database preferred
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred