Housing Intake & Placement Specialist

LifeWorks of Austin, TX is looking for a Housing Intake & Placement Specialist (HIPS) to join our Navigation team! The Housing Intake and Placement Specialist (HIPS) works as part of a team to help young people (transitioned-aged youth ages 18-24) and their families secure the resources needed to exit homelessness.  HIPS lead the process to find and secure apartments and other rental properties so young people and their families can move into permanent housing. This process requires cultivating a network of partnerships with various properties and landlords, leveraging housing subsidies and rental assistance resources, and helping young people navigate housing barriers such as previous rental debt, criminal background restrictions, etc. This position supports youth and collaborates closely with case managers and landlords during the housing search process, through the execution of a lease, and continues to provide support to the youth after entering into a lease agreement to ensure housing stability.

This full time, non-exempt position earns a competitive starting rate of $24.86-$27.17/hr depending upon experience. Benefits are also included, which consist of 24 PTO days per year (accrued); 11 paid holidays per year; a premium-free employee medical plan with $100 per month HSA contribution (plus other affordable employee or family medical, dental, and vision options!); a retirement savings plan with 50% match on the first 6% of contributions, and much more!

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Delivers excellent customer service skills while collaborating with a case manager to conduct screenings and intakes with clients over the phone or in person.
• Works in partnership with case management staff and clients to identify housing placement options based on individual housing preferences and barriers.
• Applies a Housing First approach throughout all functions of the role.
• Conducts outreach to rental housing providers and negotiates the criteria that otherwise may disqualify youth from being approved for a unit.
• Generates, summarizes, and assesses tenant screening checks.
• Facilitates unit application process to quickly connect clients with available housing opportunities.
• Conducts physical unit inspections and walk throughs, also completes eligibility documentation based on program requirements; works in partnership with case management staff to assist with unit transfers for clients.
• Coordinates follow up with case management staff regarding housing stability issues including lease violations, and potential evictions.
• Engages with clients through text and telephone contact to assess changes in service needs and requests.
• Ensures smooth transition between program enrollment to housing in partnership with the case manager.
• Uses agency and housing database to enter and maintain case records and documentation as appropriate including all intake information and required assessments.
• Maintains client information and confidential client files, in addition to completing follow-ups with clients as required.
• Establishes an effective therapeutic alliance with clients using skill to build rapport and ask sensitive questions.
• Maintains a high level of data integrity to ensure compliance with agency and funder required data collection requirements.
• Maintains a working knowledge of all LifeWorks housing programs, including Rapid Rehousing, Permanent Supportive Housing, and Transitional Housing.
• Maintains a working knowledge of local rental market conditions, applicable tenant/landlord regulations, Fair Housing, as well as forms and processes used by members of the Austin Apartment Association and Austin Board of Realtors.
• Maintains a working knowledge of protections and requirements supported by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires a High School Diploma or GED and;
• Requires 3 year of experience in the rental housing industry or in the homeless response system; or
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficient with Microsoft products, preferably including Outlook, TEAMS, and Dynamics 365.

ABOUT LIFEWORKS

With more than 50 years of experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, young adults, and young parents, we are a fearless advocate for youth and families seeking their path to self-sufficiency. LifeWorks goal is to be able to provide clients with the resources they need a place to call home, the chance to heal, and the opportunity to learn and to work. We have one of the most comprehensive continuums of housing and support options for vulnerable youth in the country. We are committed to innovative problem solving, shared accountability and a relentless focus on achieving real, sustainable, and measurable results for the clients we serve. A career at LifeWorks offers opportunities to grow and develop your professional skills while making an immediate difference in the lives of youth and families in our community.

Salary : $100