Case Manager - Rapid Rehousing

The Montgomery County Coalition; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Montgomery County Coalition is seeking a dedicated Case Manager for its Rapid Rehousing Program in Rockville, MD. You will provide field-based client services, housing search support, and comprehensive documentation to promote self-sufficiency and permanent housing.

Responsibilities include assessing barriers, developing housing and budgeting plans, mediating with landlords, aiding employment efforts, and maintaining timely client records.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field; 2-year degree with 3 years experience acceptable.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Strong organizational abilities with ability to manage a demanding workload.
• Detail-oriented with ability to complete files and contract compliance.
• Knowledge of tenant rights and strengths-based case management.
• Experience with budgeting and reporting to federal, state, and local agencies.
• Spanish language skills are a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Assess housing barriers to determine housing and service needs.
• Develop a housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency plan with clients.
• Provide mediation with landlords to obtain or maintain housing.
• Assist participants in locating and securing housing.
• Assist participants in securing and maintaining employment.
• Maintain clear communication between tenant, landlord, referral source, and agencies.
• Serve as liaison between property managers, participants, and neighbors.
• Provide information and referrals regarding social services and programs.
• Assist in developing a personal budget and payments plans.
• Develop strength-based goals and timely referrals for support.
• Identify participant strengths and barriers and connect to resources.
• Conduct follow-up visits to ensure stability and progress toward self-sufficiency.
• Educate clients about lease rights and responsibilities.
• Maintain daily logs and monthly outcome reports for each client.
• Transport clients for housing/job searches and visits to services.
• Collect and report program data (HMIS).
• Complete monthly/annual report forms.
• Maintain a comprehensive working file with paperwork and records.
• Take on other assignments as needed.

Skills

Housing First

Communication

Organization

Detail orientation

Creativity

Landlord relations

Cultural sensitivity

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in human services

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Case Manager - Rapid Rehousing Program

General Description:

Provides a variety of field activities in the rapid re-housing program for single individuals; the case manager performs direct client services and completes documentation.

Work involves orienting all eligible participants to the program and providing housing search and supportive services to promote participants self-sufficiency, integration into the community, and permanency in housing;

performing administrative tasks involved in the review and maintenance of a caseload of program participants. The principal duties are performed both in a general office environment and in the field and community where program participants reside.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assess housing barriers of individuals experiencing homelessness to determine housing and service needs.
• Develop a housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with clients. This shall include intake interview to determine client’s needs, goals, and eligibility.
• Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client’s behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and or maintain housing.
• Assist participants in locating and securing housing of their choice.
• Assist participants in securing and maintaining employment, this includes working with an outside contractor who provides dedicated employment services.
• Create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e. tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors and creditors).
• Serve as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants as well as between participants and neighbors.
• Provide information and referral assistance regarding available support from appropriate social service agencies and/or community programs.
• Assist in development of and encourage adherence to a personal budget through pro‑active housing and budget counseling sessions; provide budget counseling and education to assist clients in establishing payments plans for bills and past debts and to assist clients in obtaining and maintaining their housing.
• Assist participants in development of a strength‑based/solution‑focused individualized goal and action plan that promotes permanent housing and self‑sufficiency; develop an effective, timely referral network in order to ensure ongoing direction and support as needed.
• Identify participant strengths and barriers to stability and assist participants to reducing barriers and linking to resources and services.
• Provide pro‑active follow‑up home visits to ensure stability and further progress towards self sufficiency; this includes support, advocacy, reducing isolation, listening, problem solving, and identification of resources to assist with reintegration of participants in the community.
• Apply knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate clients of their rights and responsibilities.
• Maintain accurate daily logs records, monthly outcome reports, and files for each client.
• Transport clients as deemed necessary. Transportation requirements should be limited to housing and job searches and occasional visit to relevant social service agencies.
• Collect and report program data, including but not limited to the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Complete all appropriate monthly and annual report forms.
• Maintain a complete working file providing activity documentation and copies of all corresponding paperwork, both in a paper file and electric filing.
• Assume other responsibilities as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Requires knowledge and belief in “Housing First” philosophy and strategies.
• Minimum Education Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in human services preferred or a minimum of a two years degree in Human related services and three years related experience.
• Excellent communication skills, particularly listening, mediation, and writing skills.
• Possess strong organizational skills with ability to meet a demanding workload.
• Detail oriented to complete requirements of files and contract compliance.
• Creative thinker/adaptive personality.
• Knowledge or understanding of tenant’s rights and responsibilities as well as “strengths based” case management.
• Strong record keeping, budgeting, and mathematical skills; ability to produce required reports to federal, state. and local government agencies and funding sources.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources, social service agencies, and ability to maintain good landlord relationships
• Fluency in the English language is required. Spanish speaking ability is an added asset but is not required.
• Experience with computer and knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Valid driver’s license, car, and good driving record
• Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of population served.
• A commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems.
• A conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change.
• The ability to establish and set appropriate limits with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence.
• The ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers or professionals.
• The capacity to maintain a role to empower clients and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals