Housing Stability Specialist

Housing Stability Specialist

Under the direction and supervision of the Program Manager or designee, the Housing Stability Coach will be responsible for providing housing stability case management support to families experiencing homelessness in South LA. Program participants will be receiving services in partnership with the following organizations: Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), HOPICS, Shields for Families, Sanctuary of Hope, and Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC). In addition to housing stability support, the participants will also receive support from an economic stability coach to ensure all facets of support are covered.

Essential Functions:

• Must know, understand, and be able to articulate the mission, vision, and core values of HOPICS
• Obtaining and maintaining a working knowledge of all HOPICS programs and their eligibility criteria
• She/he will be responsible for screening referrals to determine eligibility and coordinating client intakes and assessments.
• Developing individual housing service plans, making linkages and securing needed services for participants and their families.
• Meet with participants regularly to discuss progress and barriers to housing and economic stability.
• Coordinating with other project staff and partners to provide housing placement services and supportive services to facilitate client's successful transition to permanent housing and coordinate services to foster housing stability.
• Provide clients with post-discharge information and referrals for homeless prevention services and other ancillary services, if needed/appropriate.
• S/he will meet with participants weekly to assist clients with identifying housing stability challenges and will work in partnership with the economic stability coach to ensure they are on target with meeting goals.
• Coordinate additional ancillary services to achieve housing stability maintain interagency consultation, coordination, and referrals as it relates to housing stability.
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate documentation in client files for service coordination/case management, housing placement, move in assistance, community re-integration and any other additional services provided.
• Provide supportive services (linkages to health, mental health, substance use disorder services, and legal services, benefits establishment, transportation, basic needs, crisis management, eviction prevention, life skills, etc.) and transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing.
• Accompany clients to appointments (e.g., medical, housing, employment, etc.)
• Enter data into the appropriate data tracking system within 24-48 hours.
• Provide clients with post-discharge information and referrals for homeless prevention services and other ancillary services.
• Must have excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Responsible for providing intensive case management to a caseload of 20-45 clients.
• Structure individual service plan to client's need (including what steps are needed to achieve client goals)
• Conduct outreach to potential recipients
• Administer & screen all cases using the various screening tools
• Complete non-clinical intake documents
• Update individual service plan no less than 1x every 3 months (maybe sooner depending on how soon the goals are accomplished)
• Monitor and follow up with clients on an ongoing basis
• Understand and be able to articulate services provided through the SPA 6 CES
• Facilitate internal referrals and/or appointments within HOPICS and coordinate services with other HOPICS programs and other community partners.
• Some evenings and weekends are required
• Perform any other appropriate responsibilities as assigned by the Program Supervisor and/or Associate Director
• Maintain accurate files/records on activities, and client services in compliance with HIPAA, CFR 42, and other funding requirements for auditing purposes.
• Attend all programs, departments, and funding-specific meetings and training as required or needed.
• Attend division-wide meetings and training as needed or required
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with staff, clients, and community partners.
• Represent the Agency in a professional manner at meetings and community events.
• Responsible for coordinating transportation for participants using Agency vans as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

Associate's Degree OR High School Diploma with a minimum of two (2) years job-related experience working with homeless individuals and families OR five years of experience working in the social service field (case management and homeless program experience preferred). If in recovery, a minimum of three (3) years of being drug and alcohol-free is MANDATORY. Ability to work with clients from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds. Verification of Employment Eligibility and Background Clearance Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation. Current proof of Auto Insurance is required. TB test required (Not more than (3) months prior to or (7) days after the date of hire and renewal annually thereafter. CPR and First Aid Certifications are required within 30 days of employment with the company. Basic computer word processing skills are required. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Internet Working knowledge of Excel, HMIS, and other database programs is desirable. Ability to outreach and engage clients in different settings. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form. Must be able to work effectively and produce quality work under pressure. Neat and professional appearance. Attention to detail and punctuality required. Professional experience working within a multi-integrated team. Be able to coordinate the submission of client documentation if unable to work. Bilingual preferred, but not required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions): May be exposed to aggressive/hostile clients: Dealing with trauma may trigger personal trauma; must work in conjunction with other collaborative staff members; communicate with many sources including courts, Los Angeles County Law Enforcement Agencies, District Attorney Offices and Victims Advocate Representative, Department of Children and Family Services and other community agencies. Local automobile travel may be required. There is some responsibility to work in noisy environments where adults are free to talk loud and expressively. This position is exposed to multiple tasks and must work with many different departments and Directors (DHM/BHS/law enforcement, etc.). While driving to training or performing other duties there may be exposure to weather conditions prevalent at the time, noise, moving vehicles, high crime rate areas, odors, fumes, pollen etc.

Physical Requirements:

Light physical effort which may include occasional light lifting (15lbs), and some reaching, bending, stooping, walking, squatting, listening, and typing. A great portion of the day requires sitting, standing, carrying equipment/charts/documents, walking, reading, writing, and communicating or a combination of the above.

Mental Requirements:

The candidate should be able to perform effectively under any and all of the following: Unpredictable Situations, Crisis, Constant distractions, Interruptions, Uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedule. Be able to process information, think and conceptualize. Must be able to deal with possible transference and countertransference situations should they arise.