Housing Specialist

The Housing Specialist is a non-clinical professional who works as a navigator and advocates directly with individuals with a focus on housing stability. The program is currently funded through an 1115 Waiver and operates within the local Social Care Network. The Social Care Network requires specific workflows including screenings, arranging pre-tenancy supports, navigating subsidies, mediating with landlords, and connecting participants to resources like moving costs or rent supplements.

Truth Pharm serves individuals impacted by Substance Use, their own, or a loved one’s, so this position requires understanding, empathy and a harm reduction, housing-first mindset for service delivery.

Our Housing Specialists work alongside our Community Health Workers and Social Care Navigators, working with and serving our community through a harm reduction philosophy and Motivational Interviewing, building trusting relationships that empower participants to make informed decisions about their own health, well-being, and housing status. Many successful candidates have lived or living experience with substance use, recovery, or housing instability, although this is not required.

This position serves as an advocate, educator, navigator, and resource specialist, helping participants access services while respecting their individual goals and choices.

Essential Responsibilities

• Conduct participant intakes, screenings, and needs assessments.
• Develop trusting, person-centered relationships with participants.
• Assist participants in identifying and working toward their own goals.
• Assist participants in locating and securing safe, stable housing, including identifying affordable units and navigating rental subsidies.
• Provide pre-tenancy services such as support with lease signings, utility setup, move-in coordination, and post-move check-ins to ensure housing stability.
• Educate clients on tenant rights, negotiate payment plans or reasonable accommodations with landlords, and address behaviors that could jeopardize housing.
• Connect clients to essential community supports such as furniture procurement, utility assistance programs (like HEAP), and financial literacy planning.
• Coordinate referrals and assist participants in navigating complex service systems.
• Advocate alongside participants when interacting with healthcare providers, government agencies, housing providers, and community organizations.
• Work alongside care managers, medical providers, and state agencies to implement person-centered housing plans.
• Educate participants on self-advocacy and available resources.
• Maintain regular communication through in-person visits, phone calls, text messages, and outreach.
• Document all participant interactions accurately and in a timely manner using electronic record systems.
• Obtain required consents and maintain HIPAA compliance.
• Track program outcomes and maintain required data collection.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community providers and partner organizations.
• Participate in outreach events, trainings, team meetings, and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Perform other related duties that support Truth Pharm's mission.

Required Qualifications

• Passion for harm reduction and meeting people where they are.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to build trust with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
• Excellent active listening skills.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries while providing compassionate support.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, email, and electronic documentation systems.
• Reliable transportation and willingness to travel locally as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Lived or living experience with substance use, recovery and/or housing instability.
• Experience working with people who use drugs, individuals experiencing homelessness, or other marginalized populations.
• Community Health Worker certification, Recovery Coach certification, or willingness to obtain required certifications.
• Experience with Motivational Interviewing, SBIRT, trauma-informed care, or harm reduction services.
• Knowledge of local healthcare, behavioral health, housing, and social service systems.

Training Provided

• CCAR Recovery Coach
• Motivational Interviewing
• SBIRT
• Harm Reduction Principles
• HIPAA Compliance
• Professional Boundaries and Ethics
• Additional trainings relevant to the position

What Makes This Position Different

This is a job for problem solvers. Housing Specialists spend their days building relationships, helping people overcome barriers, advocating within healthcare and social service systems, and creating opportunities for people to keep or obtain housing in order to improve their health and quality of life. Success in this role comes from compassion, persistence, creativity, and a deep belief that every person deserves safe and stable housing.

Truth Pharm is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from individuals with lived experience, people in recovery, people who use drugs, members of historically marginalized communities, and anyone who shares our commitment to harm reduction and social justice.