Housing Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

The YWCA Charleston's current mission is to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Its work includes shelter and support for women and families, domestic violence services, child development, senior services, and racial equity/community enrichment. (ywcacharleston.org).

About YWCA Charleston:

Since 1912, YWCA Charleston has served the Charleston and surrounding communities by providing programs and services that promote self-sufficiency, independence, safety, opportunity, and dignity. Today, the YWCA provides a diverse network of services supporting women, children, families, seniors, and the broader community.

The Housing Specialist under the supervision of the Program and Assistant Directors, is responsible for the orientation of eligible participants into a rapid rehousing/transition -in-place program and to provide housing search and supportive services to promote the participant’s self-sufficiency, integration into the community, and permanency in housing.

Education & Experience:

Two-year degree in human services, or related field, with two years of rapid rehousing experience. Bachelor’s degree in human services preferred.

Additional Requisites:

• Requires knowledge and belief in the “Housing First” philosophy and strategies.
• Excellent communication skills, particularly listening, mediation, and writing skills.
• Possesses strong organizational skills and is detail-oriented for completing the requirements to maintain contract compliance, while handling a potentially demanding workload.
• Knowledge or understanding of tenant’s rights and responsibilities and trauma-informed advocacy.
• Possess adequate record-keeping, budgeting, and mathematical skills and the ability to produce required reports to federal, state, and local government agencies and funding sources.
• Demonstrate knowledge of community resources, social service agencies, and landlords.
• Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the population served.
• Establish and set appropriate goals with people served to help them gain skills and confidence.
• The ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and service providers or professionals.
• The capacity to empower and hold participants accountable to reach the objectives of their initial stabilization plan and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals.
• Work around moderate noise, stoop, kneel, crouch, and lift or carry up to 25 lbs.
• Have and maintain a valid driver’s license and a vehicle.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assess housing barriers of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to determine housing and service needs.
• Develop a housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with participants. This shall include an intake interview to determine the participant’s needs, goals, and eligibility.
• Assist participants in locating and securing housing of their choice while providing mediation and advocacy with landlords on the participant’s behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and or maintain housing.
• Create and maintain consistent communication channels that are both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e. tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors, and creditors).
• Serve as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants and between participants and neighbors.
• Assist in developing and encouraging a participant's adherence to a personal budget through pro-active housing and budget counseling sessions; provide budget counseling and education to assist participants in establishing payment plans for bills and past debts and assist in obtaining and maintaining their housing.