Housing Access & Placement Specialist – Youth & Families

LifeWorks Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 33,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24 PTO days (accrued)

11-paid holidays

Medical plan with $100/month HSA

Retirement plan with 50% match

Job summary

LifeWorks Austin is seeking a Housing Intake & Placement Specialist to join the Housing Development team in Austin, TX. You will lead housing searches, negotiate screening criteria with providers, and guide youth and families toward permanent housing solutions.

Responsibilities include tenant screenings, coordinating with case managers, and building strong landlord relationships to reduce barriers. The role emphasizes a Housing First approach and ensuring smooth transitions into housing.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s Degree; and
• Requires 2 years 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.

Responsibilities

• Delivers excellent customer service while collaborating with a case manager to conduct tenant barrier screenings and housing intakes over the phone or in person.
• Identifies 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 rental screening criteria that may disqualify youth from being approved for a unit.
• Develops, documents and incentives partnerships with property management and property owner to allow for reduced screening criteria.
• 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, completes eligibility documentation; works with case management for transfers.
• Responds to escalations when conflicts arise between clients and landlords; mediates conversations amidst tension.
• Mediates penalties and charges when units have sustained damage; repairs landlord relationships over time.

Skills

Client Focus

Collaborates & Adapts

Honors Differences

Nimble Learning

Builds Trust

Action Oriented

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Outlook

TEAMS

Dynamics 365

Job description

LifeWorks Austin is seeking a Housing Intake & Placement Specialist to join the Housing Development team in Austin, TX. You will lead housing searches, negotiate screening criteria with providers, and guide youth and families toward permanent housing solutions.

Responsibilities include tenant screenings, coordinating with case managers, and building strong landlord relationships to reduce barriers. The role emphasizes a Housing First approach and ensuring smooth transitions into housing.