Housing Specialist

Project FIND’s mission is to provide low- and moderate-income and homeless seniors with the services and support they need to enrich their lives and live independently. Today Project FIND operates three supportive housing residences that are home to about 600 people and four senior centers with over 3,000 members. Our members and residents range from the healthy and active to the frail and homebound to the homeless. For all these men and women, Project FIND is a critical resource, providing housing, meals, and programs that help individuals navigate the challenges of aging by encouraging community engagement and healthy living. Please visit our website at: www.projectfind.org.

Summary

The Housing Specialist will be an integral member of Project FIND’s Homeless In-reach program. The In-Reach Housing Specialist will work with street homeless and sheltered individuals helping in identifying, completing and following up on appropriate applications for transitional and permanent housing placement for older adults. The Housing Specialist will also work other providers to obtain other necessary documents to help prepare one for housing such as obtaining ID and benefits. The Housing Specialist will conduct homeless outreach and will be familiar with City, State and Federal assistance programs in the NYC area. The Housing Specialist will also assist with case management services, provide advocacy, and establish strong relationships with housing providers. The Housing Specialist will coordinate with other housing agencies and brokers to develop and maintain a resource list of available housing in the NYC area and requirements.

General Responsibilities:

• Assist HIR clients to identify and apply for appropriate housing, consistent with expressed client goals and preferences, including completion of HRA 2010e supportive housing applications and corresponding psychosocial assessments, and/ or linkage of clients to Homebase sites for CityFHEPS housing vouchers. Maintain a working knowledge of the housing application processes and requirements.
• Assist HIR clients to identify and apply for appropriate benefits and housing subsidies, consistent with client eligibility and needs. Maintain a working knowledge of the benefit application process and requirements.
• Provide guidance and advocacy to clients applying for housing or benefits, as necessary and in conjunction with any other involved service providers.
• Identify and utilize available support systems (e.g. CUCS vacancy list, SHNNY) to further goals of assisting clients to access appropriate housing and receive necessary support services.
• Conduct regular street outreach to local businesses and to street homeless individuals to educate them about the HIR program and link them to HIR services, including distribution of HIR materials. Maintain relationships with street homeless individuals to assist them in accessing HIR, emergency shelter and/or safe haven services.
• Conduct intake screenings to assess program eligibility and health, safety and housing needs and supports; eligibility for benefits and entitlements; and identify any critical health and/or mental health need or crises.
• Complete aftercare assessments for approximately six months after housing placement; ensure adequate linkage to program support staff and needed community-based support services; ensure benefits and entitlements are maximized and up to date; ensure competence in independent living skills and activities of daily living.  
• Provide coverage for HIR office supportive services, such as showers, mail, meals, and distribution of clothing, as needed; Assist in maintaining shower area; Perform other related tasks as requested or assigned.
• Develop and maintain a database of housing resources available to the older, homeless population, including identifying new and evolving housing resources.

• Assist with training (after six months to a year) new staff and/ or interns on essential job functions.

• Meet with clients on a regular basis to develop strategies to meet their housing needs.
• Prepare clients for housing interviews, using motivational interview techniques.
• Provide timely documentation and maintenance of client records and progress notes.

Qualifications:

• A High School Diploma or GED with two years of relevant experience in human services and/ or previous housing experience working with disadvantaged populations required. The ideal candidate will have significant experience working with clients on issues of homelessness, entitlements, addiction, mental illness, and/or special needs housing. Experience in processing housing applications preferred.
• Knowledge of the NYC Homeless Housing system (including the various subsidy types, supportive housing models and the DHS/HRA referral process) and the wider NYC housing market.
• Experience working with older adult populations preferred. 
• Bilingual language Spanish fluency preferred.  
• Ability to provide accurate and timely documentation required. 
• Time management skills to coordinate multiple responsibilities and services. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, in both a field and office environment. 
• Excellent interpersonal, public speaking, and written communication skills. Must be able to communicate effectively and appropriately with other team members, community agencies, and clients with diverse opinions, values, characteristics, and cultures.
• Skilled in conflict mediation/negotiation and have an assertive approach to problem solving.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to be creative and flexible.
• Ability to utilize various computer programs, including Microsoft Word and Excel.

Schedule:

Monday-Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm; in-person

Two Saturdays per month from 8:00am to 4:00pm; in-person

Project FIND participates in E-Verify, which confirms employment authorization through an electronic database maintained by the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security. The E-Verify process is completed in conjunction with the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification.  E-Verify is not used as a tool to pre-screen candidates.

Salary : $22 - $23