Housing Advocate

Breaking Ground; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Breaking Ground seeks a dedicated Housing Advocate to work with street homeless individuals in New York City. The role involves conducting outreach, assessing eligibility for housing services, and coordinating with various agencies to secure housing solutions. Candidates should have strong communication skills, a bachelor's degree, and knowledge of local resources.

Qualifications

• Two years of related work experience required.
• Knowledge of local benefit agencies necessary.

Responsibilities

• Conduct street outreach to engage homeless individuals.
• Maintain a registry of chronic and non-chronic homeless clients.
• Respond to 311 calls and participate in emergency responses.

Skills

Strong oral and written communication

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

Knowledge of substance abuse and mental health issues

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Electronic record keeping

Job description

S2H BQ - QUEENS, Jamaica, New York, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 4:00 AM

ABOUT US: We believe that everyone deserves a home!

Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing—affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term—is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness.

But we didn't stop at providing housing. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness—especially those who have been on the streets the longest—to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get and stay on the path to a permanent home.

Position: Housing Advocate

The Housing Advocate works with street homeless individuals, conducting street outreach to engage them, determine their eligibility for Street to Home services, and help secure appropriate housing solutions. For chronic cases, the advocate builds relationships using motivational interviewing to encourage clients toward permanent housing. For non-chronic cases, the advocate utilizes available resources for other housing placements. The role involves working with a partner and spending most of the shift in an automobile conducting outreach. The incumbent will respond to 311 calls, participate in Code Blue and Code Red alerts, identify new hotspots/encampments, work to eradicate existing ones, conduct bi-annual vulnerability assessments, and enter data into outreach databases.

This position has a 35-hour work week.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Engage with all persons on the street who appear homeless
• Create and maintain a registry of chronic homeless clients; include non-chronic clients in the registry
• Conduct vulnerability assessments
• Attend clinical supervision and training
• Develop and maintain recordkeeping files and databases; complete reports and data entry
• Communicate with team members through progress notes, program databases, reports, staff meetings, and supervision
• Liaise with other service providers on behalf of clients
• Collaborate with Parks Department, NYPD, DSNY, MTA, and other agencies
• Respond to 311 calls
• Participate in Code Blue/Red responses
• Perform other related duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two years of related work experience
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience
• Knowledge of local benefit agencies and familiarity with substance abuse, mental health, and employment issues
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and electronic record keeping
• Valid driver’s license from NY, NJ, CT, or PA with a good driving record, as defined by Breaking Ground, is required
• Must maintain a good driving record as a condition of employment