Housing Specialist, Atlantic House Men's Shelter

Who We Are: CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City, where all children and adults have access to the resources and supports, they need to thrive. We take a comprehensive approach by offering more than 180 integrated programs in: Education & Youth Development, Family Support, Job Training & Employment Support Services, Health, Housing, and Legal Services. We reach almost 80,000 individuals and families, including almost 13,000 youth. CAMBA serves a diverse cross section of New Yorkers from new mothers in Brownsville to job seekers in the Rockaways. More than half of our clients are immigrants and refugees from around the globe. Over 85% of our families are living in poverty, reflecting the challenges faced by nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers today.

CAMBA operates 6 single adult shelters and 6 family shelters and one drop in center. Each shelter offers clients a supportive, structured therapeutic, safe, and drug-free facility. Homeless (often mentally-ill and substance-abusing) men and women are provided with comprehensive services to stabilize their condition in order to successfully transition into to permanent and/or supported housing.

CAMBA's Atlantic House Men's Shelter is a 200 bed men's MICA shelter located in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. The majority of these clients are dually diagnosed with mental illness and substance abuse.


Position: Housing Specialist

Reports To: Clinical Supervisor

Location: Brooklyn, NY 11233

What The Housing Specialist Does:

• Assist clients in attaining their Housing related goals by identifying and referring clients to appropriate services both within and outside CAMBA.
• Conduct housing search efforts for each housing ready client referred (i.e., referrals to housing providers, contact landlords, search for apartment listings, etc.).
• Develop curriculum to address clients' Housing and Independent Living related needs including, permanent housing search process and options.
• Develop and facilitate a series of Housing Workshops.
• Develop materials to be posted on a Bulletin Board that serves to provide relevant Housing related information.
• Organize and schedule presentations by supportive housing programs, local real estate experts and/or landlords.
• Establish linkages with community-based organizations (i.e., supportive housing programs, DHS Housing Unit, etc.) and local landlords.
• Review all approved housing packages to determine appropriateness of housing providers.
• Follow-up with clients for a period of time after move-out to assure client stability.
• Conduct initial intake and psychosocial evaluation and periodic re-assessments.
• Obtain and maintain relevant documentation and release forms from clients (i.e., birth certificate, proof of income, medical documents, release of Personal Health Information, etc.).
• Assist clients in attaining their goals by identifying barriers, community resources and by referring clients to appropriate services both within and outside CAMBA (i.e., On-site medical services and psychiatric services, etc.).
• Monitor and document all client encounters via progress notes using DHS CARES Database and printout notes for client's paper file.
• May schedule and escort clients to appointments (i.e., housing interviews, apartment move-ins, housing fairs, referral organizations. etc.)
• May assist clients in completing applications for benefits and entitlements, and may process applications on clients' behalf.

Minimum Education/Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent experience.

Other Requirements:

• May be required to become First Aid/CPR certified
• May be required to become certified in overdose prevention.
• Bi-lingual preferred

Compensation: $47,000-$50,000 annually

When salary ranges are listed, the range would represent the low and high end for the applicable position & program. The salary offered would be based on various factors unique to each program and candidate. This includes but is not limited to experience, education, budget and/or program size, internal equity, skills and other factors that may be required for the position and organization.

Status: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Benefits: CAMBA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and paid holidays.

CAMBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace. People of color, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, marital or veteran status, pregnancy status or sexual orientation.