Housing Advocate, Permanent Supportive Housing Program

Sojourner House; Woonsocket (RI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental insurance

Paid holidays

Accrued vacation/sick/personal time

Employee Assistance Plan

401(k) plan

Job summary

Sojourner House seeks a Housing Advocate in Woonsocket, RI to support its Permanent Supportive Housing Program. The role focuses on direct client services, housing stabilization, and back-up advocacy for shelter clients.

The Advocate collaborates with the housing team, coordinates services statewide, and conducts outreach and education. A background in social services and a commitment to empowerment are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2–3 years in human or social services.
• Experience with Housing First model preferred.
• Spanish language ability preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual case management using Housing First and Trauma-Informed Care.
• Provide mental health or substance use support within housing-first, person-centered approach.
• Attend team meetings and case conferences to review client progress.
• Assist with housing clinics across Providence, Woonsocket, Central Falls and West Warwick.
• Develop and implement programming, including 1–2 groups per week for housing clients.
• Coordinate children's services with Youth Advocate/Child Clinician for families with minor children.

Skills

Social services experience

Housing First model experience

Spanish language (preferred)

Google Workspace

Microsoft Excel

Education

Associate or Bachelor in social work/related field

Tools

Google Workspace

Word

Excel

Job description

Housing Advocate, Permanent Supportive Housing Program

Job Title: Housing Advocate, Permanent Supportive Housing Program

Job Location: Woonsocket, RI

Reports To: Manager of Supportive Housing

Compensation: Full-time (37.5 hours per week); 26-27 an hour based on experience, with benefits that include health/dental insurance, paid holidays, accrued vacation/sick/personal time, an Employee Assistance Plan, and a 401(k) plan.

ABOUT US

Sojourner House is a comprehensive domestic violence and sexual assault agency that provides residential, educational, and community-based interventions to families and individuals impacted by abuse. We have offices in Providence and Woonsocket, and programs that operate statewide. Our goal is to help our clients rebuild their lives, piece by piece, through a variety of services. All of our programs work from the premise that violence is an unacceptable means to solving interpersonal conflict, and we encourage only non-violent methods of working out conflicts.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Housing Advocate, Permanent Supportive Housing Program ("The Advocate") is responsible for helping to execute the different components of Sojourner House's housing program, and provide support to Sojourner House's larger residential team as well. The Advocate will primarily provide direct services and programming to clients in our permanent supportive housing programs. Our Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Program houses chronically homeless individuals who are disabled, which includes those with mental health and substance use diagnoses. Some of these clients needs assistance with overcoming barriers to attend to daily living skills through education and support. The Advocate will also provide back-up advocacy support to shelter clients. The Advocate will work alongside other staff in the Housing Program to provide clients with support and empowerment as they seek to rebuild their lives.

PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES

• Provide individual case management services to clients in Sojourner House's Permanent Supportive Housing program. This includes assessment of the client's needs using Housing First Model and Trauma-Informed Care, weekly 1:1 client meetings and in-person visits to their apartments. Develop action plans with clients that outline goals related to housing stability, education, employment, child care and benefit acquisition. Assist clients in obtaining appropriate substance abuse, mental health, and/or medical services as needed.


• Provide supportive services to individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges, utilizing a housing-first, person centered, and recovery-oriented approach.


• Participate in team meetings and case conferences to discuss client progress and plan therapy.


• Assist with housing clinics that are held regularly in Providence, Woonsocket, Central Falls, and West Warwick.


• Develop and implement programming to benefit clients in the housing program, which can include units statewide. At a minimum, the advocate will facilitate 1-2 support groups, meetings and/or programs per week that will benefit housing clients and other community members. The advocate will regularly assess the needs of Sojourner House's housing clients and offer programs reflective of those needs.


• Working with the Youth Advocate and/or the Child and Adolescent Clinician to coordinate children's services and make referrals as necessary for permanent supportive housing families with minor children, which may include but are not limited to: enrollment in the local school system, art expressive therapy groups, tutoring sessions, play groups, field trips, after school, recreational and enrichment activities, child care and mental health programs.


• Answer phone calls, conduct intakes of new clients, and provide referrals and information to potential housing clients.


• Provide advocacy and coverage as needed at Sojourner House's Drop-In Advocacy Center in Providence.


• Provide shelter coverage when needed at Sojourner House's emergency shelter(s).


• Monitor and implement housing policies and ensure that residents follow these rules and procedures by creating an environment of trust and community.


• Complete data entry and submit necessary reports as required for grant compliance.


• Help in the collection of rent from clients in the rapid re-hosuing and permanent supportive housing program.


• Address the maintenance needs of housing units as needed. This may include communication with landlords and property management companies to provide repairs.


• Stay abreast of RI community housing issues by building and maintaining relationships with housing and social service agencies in Providence, northern Rhode Island, and throughout the state.


• Prepare and deliver community presentations in Rhode Island on issues related to domestic violence and housing when requested.


• Support Sojourner House's philosophy of client empowerment and respect for individual choices.


• Work as necessary with other residential advocates to help supervise volunteers.


• Perform other duties as requested by the Senior Director of Housing and/or the Sojourner House management team.

EDUCATION

An Associate or Bachelor Degree in social work, psychology or related field, or equivalent experience, preferred but not required

EXPERIENCE AND SPECIAL SKILLS

• A minimum of two to three years experience in human or social services


• 1-2 years experience providing mental health or substance use/harm reduction services


• Experience working with a Housing First model is strongly preferred


• Familiarity with domestic violence and/or gender issues


• Must be organized and demonstrate superior leadership skills


• Proficiency in Spanish is preferred, but not required


• Computer literacy (Google Workspace, Word, Excel,and general Internet skills)


• Familiarity working with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds


• Experience developing and delivering community presentations


• A demonstrated familiarity with LGBTQ, HIV/AIDS, mental health, and/or substance abuse populations


• Valid drivers license and a reliable vehicle is required in order to facilitate traveling between agency locations


• Comfort working individually and in teams


• Innovative thinking to approaching issues of poverty and service delivery


• Familiarity with social service services in Rhode Island


• Applicant must pass a background check prior to starting work


• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including one night a week and one weekend day.

SCHEDULE, WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is a full-time, on-site position. Travel to other offices and agency-owned buildings throughout the state will be required. Evening and weekend hours may be necessary to meet agency needs. The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made as necessary.

• This position may involve working with clients who have pets and in spaces where animals, including but not limited to dogs and cats, may be present.


• Regularly required to stand; sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands; and talk or hear


• The employee must be able to carry objects weighing 10-25 pounds occasionally


• Frequently required to walk and climb several sets of stairs


• Must have a valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle; frequent travel to other locations is required


• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and the environment is sometimes chaotic

For 50 years, Sojourner House has been the organization Rhode Islanders turn to when experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence, and human trafficking.