Housing Support Specialist

Department: Client Services
Reports To: Supportive Housing Program Manager
Location: Salem
Position Type: 0.5 FTE, 20 Hours/Week, Non-exempt
Work Type: In Person, Not Hybrid/Remote Eligible
Salary Range: $21.00 to $22.26 Per Hour
Salary Note: Bilingual candidates are eligible for an additional $1.50 Bilingual Differential. This Bilingual Differential is not included in the salary range above.
Benefits Available: Read more at
Agency Overview: Read more at
External Applicants: Apply directly through our website, via the Agency Overview link. All applicants must submit a complete job application, supplemental questions, and resume via the job portal to be considered.
Internal Applicants: Apply via email, following the emailed application instructions

Position Summary: The Housing Support Specialist (HSS) works in collaboration with the Supportive Housing Program care team who provide medical and non-medical case management, peer support, and behavioral health therapy to program clients. The HSS supports the program by assisting clients with lease education, unit maintenance triage and coordination, and landlord communication, with the ultimate goal of helping the client maintain long-term housing stability and increased independent living skills. The HSS is responsible for establishing and maintaining professional relationships, set-aside units, property managers, and community partners. The position also works closely with clients to review lease paperwork, support lease understanding and compliance, collect rent and utility subsidy payments, and mediate tenant-landlord conflicts as needed. The HSS serves as the landlord liaison for program clients, providing a bridge of communication between the client and landlord to help reduce a barrier for clients who may be unfamiliar with being on a lease, expectations for their tenancy, and how to appropriately communicate with their landlord and neighbors and coordinate with them on unit maintenance and cleaning. The HSS routinely travels to and inspects units for lease compliance, rent reasonableness, and maintenance concerns. This position helps model and teach appropriate boundaries and tenancy behavior to clients as needed, with a client-centered and trauma-informed approach.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Travel: Frequently travel across service area, which may encompass multiple counties, to provide in-person services, including weekly home and/or community visits. Travel to and inspect units for repair needs, lease compliance, habitability requirements, rent reasonableness, and after repair and maintenance issues have been completed and document satisfactory completion of repairs.
• Client Management: Support residents to understand and comply with lease and resolve issues that may threaten their housing stability. Work with landlords regarding concerns about unit or community issues related to client resident behavior
• Housing Support: Research and identify suitable housing options, including motel placements, permanent supportive housing, and emergency shelters. Advocate for client needs with prospective landlords.
• Coordination of Services: Collect monthly rent subsidy payments from residents. Work with residents who are having difficulty paying rent to develop rent payment plans. Provide mediation support to help resolve tenant & landlord disputes, working with the housing program team, tenants, and property managers
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and timely documentation of client interactions, placements, services provided, and progress updates in agency databases. Complete all proper documentation required to lease apartment and at 12-month lease renewal / income recertification, including but not limited to: leasing paperwork, habitability inspection, rent reasonableness certification, and client payment agreements. Process and collect necessary eligibility documents including Authorization for Release of Information.
• Crisis Intervention: Respond to client crises, including eviction prevention and emergency relocation assistance, and follow up.
• Referrals: Refer clients to local resources as needed and follow up.
• Community Engagement: Build partnerships with local property managers, landlords, housing authorities, and shelters to enhance housing placement opportunities. Attend relevant community meetings and participate in ongoing training and professional development.
• Standards: Comply with all applicable program standards, guidelines, laws and administrative rules.
• Ability to work well with others, handle stress appropriately, have reliable attendance
• Ability to use personal cell phone to run agency phone system software, MFA, etc.
• Other tasks as assigned, including training/cross-training other staff as needed

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 2 years of full-time relevant experience in property management or maintenance, and/or in supportive housing model
• One year of experience working with vulnerable populations
• TB test (provided at agency)
• Valid Oregon driver's license, or valid out of state driver's license with the ability to get an Oregon driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in Oregon, and a driving record sufficient to be covered by agency auto insurance policy.
• Ability to pass agency criminal background check

Professional Competencies:

• Interpersonal Communication & Conflict Management (proactively communicates effectively, listens carefully to others, exhibits acceptable standards of conduct, deals effectively with others in difficult situations, works to reduce tension & conflict)
• Organizational Awareness (takes time to learn about agency culture, policies, and procedures; recognizes and balances the interest and impact of one's department with those of other departments, programs, and the agency as a whole)
• Embraces Change (actively identifies problems and opportunities for change, implements solutions where appropriate, maintains effectiveness & adjusts well when experiencing changes in work tasks, environment, processes, and requirements)
• Living the Agency Vision & Values (demonstrates an understanding of agency vision and values, keeping the vision and values at the forefront of decision making)
• Client & Customer Focused (keeps client and customer needs a primary focus; develops and sustains productive relationships with clients, customers, & partners)
• Valuing Diversity (appreciates and leverages the capabilities, insights, & ideas of all individuals; works effectively with individuals of diverse style, ability, & motivation)

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to

• Repetitively use hands, including grasping, twisting/turning of wrists, and finger dexterity to perform various necessary clerical duties, such as typing and writing.
• Frequently use arms, such as pushing & pulling to open/close drawers, cabinets, etc.
• Sit and/or stand for extended periods of time at an assigned station
• Bend, stand, & reach to be able to transport clients and to lift and carry up to 25 pounds for tasks such as building kits & assembling testing/educational materials.
• Use continuous clarity of vision at 20 inches or less for processing of paperwork

The physical demands described above here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Working Conditions, Travel, and Environment:

The duties of this job require individuals to be able to work in non-traditional and community-based settings. Additionally, the duties of this job include travel to other locations necessary to complete essential job functions, including the ability to transport self to job-related events and locations. This role requires regular reliable attendance, including:

• Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends
• Ability to work 5 days per week for a minimum of 20 hours per week
• Ability to work in loud, crowded, busy, or escalated environments
• Ability to drive at night and during various weather conditions safely