Housing Specialist

Accepting Applications until Filled

Who We Are

Project for Pride in Living, Inc. (PPL) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering low-income people to become self-reliant through integrated services. When joining PPL, you become a part of a diverse team whose goal is to assist our residents and communities with the groundwork they need not only to survive but also to thrive. We are eager to welcome others to our team who are dedicated to serving our residents and pursuing our mission to build the hope, assets, and self-reliance of individuals and families who have lower incomes by providing transformative, affordable housing and employment readiness services.

Job Summary

Housing Specialist provides invaluable person-centered services and builds meaningful relationships with individuals served. This role helps individuals in our community maintain housing stability by carrying an average caseload of 20-25 scattered site participants who have experienced long-term homelessness. They are adept in navigating Harm Reduction and the Housing First Model approach to partner with participants from diverse communities who have experienced homelessness and behavioral health challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Engage with participants to assess their strengths/barriers and create customized participant-driven housing stability plans. Update and modify to reflect current goals, needs, and housing retention barriers.

• Keep accurate, up-to-date documentation, including but not limited to goal plans, case notes, incident reports, funder data, receipts, etc.
• Collaborate with Housing Coordinators in transferring tenancy-sustaining services to Housing Specialists. Services are provided in-home and in the community.
• Provide support and backup to staff as needed.
• Connect households to security deposits, furnishings, basic needs, and emergency resources.
• Provide tenancy-sustaining services, including understanding the lease, communicating with property management, managing neighbor conflict, paying rent on time, and addressing other behaviors that may jeopardize housing.
• Visit and inspect participant apartments monthly to ensure they are properly maintained.
• Assist with the housing recertification process.
• Utilize skills and community resources to provide crisis prevention and intervention.
• Support strategies to promote the neighborhood, apartment building, and personal safety.
• Support participant health and wellness through connections to physical, mental health, and recovery resources.
• Assist participants in maintaining or increasing income through benefits assistance or involvement with volunteering, education, and employment activities.
• Help participants navigate transportation needs, including access to bus tokens, gas cards, and driving residents to appointments in personal or PPL vehicle.
• Help residents build social support with family, peers, neighbors, etc.
• Provide and/or facilitate translation and interpreting services.
• Communicate and coordinate services with all team members and other needed internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in internal and external professional development, team meetings, case consultation, special initiatives, PPL committees, and organization-wide meetings.

Minimum Requirements:

• Self-starter with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to respond to the unique cultural, economic, and social needs and resources of residents, using these unique resources to meet their goals.
• Experience with case management or developing supportive housing service plans.
• Ability to provide crisis intervention and support.
• Strong group facilitation, mediation, interpersonal, organizational, and outreach skills.
• Ability to efficiently coordinate, track and complete multiple tasks as well as adjust to changing priorities.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and boundaries in all interactions with residents, staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Valid driver’s license and insurance, successfully complete a motor vehicle records screen, reliable vehicle, and ability to transport participants. Experience with Motivational Interviewing, Person-Centered, or DBT skills a bonus.
• Ability to recognize and address mental health challenges, chemical dependency, and other problematic behaviors.

Ability to use:

• Office equipment including telephone, smartphone, voicemail systems, copier, printer, scanner, and fax machine.
• MS Word, Outlook, and Excel
• The Internet and electronic timecard system
• Computer Network (files, drives, and folders)
• Apricot or other database systems

Education and/or Experience:

• A course of study in a health or human services-related field leading to a Bachelor's or Associate's degree. 
• 1-3 years of experience with the target population served.

Wage: $22.00-24.00 Hr., DOQ

PPL's work structure has evolved into a Hybrid Model where available, striking a balance between on-site presence at the office or satellite locations and remote work from home based on the program's needs. Working with your supervisor to find the right balance for your team will evolve over time.

Benefits: Health & Dental insurance, employer-paid short and long-term disability insurance, and employer-paid life insurance. We offer paid parental leave, voluntary life insurance options, and the choice between a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Employees enjoy paid time off, paid holidays, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, and summer half-day Fridays. We support flexible work arrangements, allowing remote work for 40% of the weekly schedule. Our onboarding process features two weeks of comprehensive training, 20 hours of field-specific training, and $300 in yearly professional development funds. Learning opportunities include the Intercultural Development Inventory, Courageous Conversations about Race, and Affinity Spaces. Additionally, BSW/MSW candidates can gain practice hours and supervision toward their licensure. Joining our organization means making an impactful difference in many lives.

How to Apply:  

Qualified candidates can apply online. Include a cover letter and resume. The hiring process includes phone screens and in-person interviews, references, and background checks for final candidates. 

PPL strives to be an equitable and inclusive organization committed to elevating the voices of the communities we serve those who are disproportionately affected by systemic inequities. Persons of color, women, members of the LGBTQ community, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. 

PPL is an EEO/AA employer. PPL participates in the federal E-verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the organization will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Salary : $300