Housing Case Manager - Bilingual Spanish

Inspiration Corporation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Inspiration Corporation in Chicago is seeking a Housing Case Manager to support individuals and families in obtaining and maintaining housing. Candidates should possess Spanish fluency and experience working with diverse populations, particularly those facing homelessness.

This role involves collaborating with various departments and maintaining regular contact with participants and landlords to meet program goals. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree, two years of case management experience, and proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Qualifications

• Two years of case-management experience in a non-profit setting with homeless populations.
• Experience working with diverse client populations, particularly immigrants and refugees.
• Familiarity with the Chicago Continuum of Care and HUD housing laws.

Responsibilities

• Assist participants in obtaining and maintaining housing.
• Assess barriers to stable housing and provide support and referrals.
• Maintain case notes and complete tracking and reports timely.

Skills

Spanish language fluency

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Active listening

Professional communication skills

Ability to work independently and think critically

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent life experience

Tools

Windows operating environments

Job description

OVERVIEW

In an atmosphere of dignity and respect, Inspiration Corporation connects people and creates opportunity through access to social services, job training, housing, and food. Each year the organization works with hundreds of resilient Chicagoans who face systemic disparities such as homelessness, hunger, and social isolation.

POSITION SUMMARY

Housing Case Managers support individuals and families in meeting their goals by assisting them in obtaining and maintaining housing. The role may serve individuals, families, domestic violence survivors, victims of dating violence and stalking, people with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, chronic health conditions, physical and mental impairments, criminal justice involvement, and DCFS involvement.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrate Inspiration Corporation’s Core Values.
• Exhibit professionalism and high standards in all performance aspects.
• Ensure the efficient and effective provision of housing services with dignity and respect.
• Collaborate with all departments to address participants’ needs.
• Participate in department and agency meetings and professional development.
• Work both independently and on a team.
• Travel throughout the City of Chicago to provide case management services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Housing Services

• Ensure all program goals are met or exceeded, maintaining regular monthly contact with participants and landlords, supporting participants to avoid homelessness, and meeting or exceeding programmatic goals.
• Assess new referrals’ eligibility and enroll eligible participants in a timely fashion.
• Find apartments for participants, conduct inspections, establish and maintain landlord relationships, facilitate lease execution and renewal, and advocate for housing quality and stability.
• Assist participants with moving, furnishing, and obtaining household supplies.
• Complete recertification paperwork and collect required documentation.

Case Management

• Assess barriers to stable housing and provide coaching, support, and referrals to improve housing retention, quality of life, and self‑sufficiency.
• Work with participants to create goal‑based action plans, revising them as needed.
• Provide coaching and case management to help participants progress toward their plans, including visits to apartments.
• Provide resources, referrals, and follow‑up for household members, advocating on behalf of participants to ensure needed services.
• Identify strategies to address short‑term or chronic issues such as substance use or mental illness that could compromise goal achievement or trigger relapse into homelessness.
• Ensure school‑age children are enrolled in school and children under 5 receive appropriate developmental assessments.
• Maintain case notes and complete all required tracking and reports in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with housing staff to organize and facilitate tenant surveys, obtain feedback, and hold tenant meetings as needed.

Program Support

• Maintain appropriate data collection and reporting for internal management, external funding sources, and regulatory agencies.
• Prepare for and participate in program audits.
• Prepare monthly requests for rent and utility payments and track rent collection, working with Finance to resolve arrears.
• Provide suggestions to senior staff for developing or modifying services, policies, and protocols to meet participants’ needs.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of the housing program.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• Spanish language fluency (required).
• Experience working with diverse client populations, particularly immigrants, refugees, or people experiencing homelessness (preferred).
• Bilingual certifications encouraged.
• Ability to read, write, interpret, and translate documents in both English and Spanish.
• Access to a personal vehicle, valid driver’s license and insurance (required).
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent life experience required; graduate‑level studies preferred.
• Two years of case‑management experience in a non‑profit setting with homeless or impoverished populations preferred.
• Proficiency in Windows operating environments and Microsoft Office (required).
• Experience with electronic record‑keeping preferred.
• Familiarity with the Chicago Continuum of Care, HUD, and municipal/state housing laws preferred.
• Ability to work independently and think critically (required).
• Active listening and professional communication skills (required).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Employees may be required to sit, talk, walk, stand, step up and down steps, drive throughout Chicago, and lift or move 10–20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment includes shared offices, in‑person participant home visits, accompaniment to referrals or partner agencies, and hybrid or remote work with scheduled office hours. The housing program is located at the organization’s main office and shares workspace with meals and homeless engagement services programs. Employees must maintain standard office hours and attend evening, weekend, and early morning meetings as required.

Inspiration Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.