Case Worker/Housing Specialist

Job Title

The Case Worker & Housing Specialist provides housing search, placement, stabilization, and case management services across the Connecticut Rapid Re-Housing Program and Project Longevity. The position supports individuals and families experiencing homelessness, including individuals at elevated risk of gun violence, with securing permanent housing and connecting to services that promote safety, stability, and self-sufficiency.

Job Description

At New Reach, you will be part of a compassionate and innovative team that uses the most progressive approaches to inspire independence. You'll play a key role in a transformative movement to end homelessness and food insecurity through prevention, support, and housing solutions that create long-term stability for those we serve.

Primary Purpose

The Case Worker & Housing Specialist provides housing search, placement, stabilization, and case management services across the Connecticut Rapid Re-Housing Program and Project Longevity. The position supports individuals and families experiencing homelessness, including individuals at elevated risk of gun violence, with securing permanent housing and connecting to services that promote safety, stability, and self-sufficiency.

Essential Functions

• Manage a combined caseload across Rapid Rehousing and Project Longevity in accordance with program requirements.
• Complete intake, eligibility screenings, housing assessments, financial service requests and ongoing assessment of household needs, strengths, and barriers.
• Develop individualized service and housing plans and monitor progress toward housing stability and self-sufficiency.
• Provide housing search and placement assistance, including locating appropriate units, completing applications, coordinating relocation, and connecting clients to housing subsidies and other resources.
• Recruit and engage landlords, respond to landlord and tenant concerns, and provide support that promotes successful and sustainable tenancies.
• Participate in landlord engagement activities and develop strategies to expand housing opportunities across program participants.
• Conduct housing inspections, based on the approved contracted requirements, including lead-based paint inspections, as applicable, for units prior to tenant occupancy.
• Provide home and community-based case management for an average of 12 months following housing placement, based on program requirements and client needs.
• Connect clients to benefits and community resources, including income, employment, health, behavioral health, substance use, transportation, basic-needs, and family support services.
• Coordinate, submit and document financial assistance in accordance with program guidelines.
• Collaborate with shelters, housing providers, community organizations, and Project Longevity partners to coordinate referrals and services.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the approved Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), including enrollments, discharges, assessments, case notes, demographics, action plans, collateral contacts, referrals, and services provided.
• Communicate significant changes in a client's mental status, potential child protection concerns requiring a DCF hotline report, unethical or unsafe situations, and critical incidents to the Program Manager within 24 hours, or sooner when required by agency policy or the nature of the situation.
• Participate in required trainings, including Evidence-Based Practices and Motivational Interviewing, as directed by program leadership.
• Participate in program development, quality assurance, team meetings, and other activities that support program effectiveness and continuous improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the successful operation of the program.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree (bachelor's preferred) and two years of experience.
• Bilingual in Spanish, both written and oral preferred. Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Valid CT Driver's License, proof of insurance and access to reliable transportation.
• Experience in housing, housing law and other areas as they lend themselves to successfully enhancing this program.
• Highly motivated, creative with excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to work with a group or independently.
• Strong computer skills including word processing.

Expectations

• Have a solutions-based approach to presented problems.
• Be supportive, engaging and encouraging to peers and staff.
• Be adaptable to change and willing to take on more responsibility.
• Maintain strict confidentiality concerning any client's or employees' personal information, living information, and/or HIV status.
• Provides a commitment to the values of New Reach: Professionalism, Integrity, Compassion and Initiative.
• Adheres to all New Reach's Policies and Procedures.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described 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.