Housing Coordinator

Boston Public Health Commission; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in public health is seeking a compassionate and dedicated Housing Navigator to join their Homeless Services Bureau. This role is pivotal in providing support to unhoused individuals, ensuring they receive the necessary resources and guidance to secure stable housing. The ideal candidate will engage with clients, assess their needs, and facilitate access to vital services, all while fostering a supportive and understanding environment. If you are passionate about making a difference and have experience in human services, this position offers a rewarding opportunity to impact lives positively in the Boston community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with human service experience or equivalent.
• Strong organizational and communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operation and development of housing programs.
• Conduct assessments and establish service plans for participants.
• Coordinate referrals and provide counseling services.

Skills

Organizational Skills

Communication Skills

Teamwork

Compassion

Creativity

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human Services

Associate Degree Equivalent

High School Diploma with Experience

Tools

Computer Skills

Job description

Description

The Boston Public Health Commission's Homeless Services Bureau (HSB) provides emergency shelter, job training, behavioral health support, and housing services to unhoused individuals in Boston. We serve close to 5,000 individuals every year and are one of the largest providers of emergency shelter in New England and are the only shelters in the city open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round.

Our aim is to make homelessness in Boston rare, brief, and on time. We do that by problem-solving with new guests at the front door to prevent anyone from entering homelessness to begin with. For individuals who do become homeless, we help them quickly find a safe place to go. Once housed, we provide in-home supports to ensure someone does not return to homelessness again.

We use a Housing First framework, believing that housing is a basic need that everyone deserves and that everyone can succeed in housing. We foster evidence-based approaches such as trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and motivational interviewing in the delivery of our housing services and strive to ensure our services are as low-threshold and accessible to our guests as possible. Housing Navigators help clients quickly find permanent housing. To do that, Housing Navigators engage clients in housing conversations, assess clients' housing choices, needs, and barriers, ensure clients have required documents, and create strategies to help clients stay up to date on all possible housing options. Housing Navigators identify available units, accompany clients to view units, coordinate move-in logistics, and make referrals as necessary to help clients succeed in housing. The work is fast-paced and rewarding and requires creativity, compassion, and commitment.

DUTIES:

1. Responsible for the overall operation, supervision, and development of the Homeless Services Community Housing Programs, including Valentine Street, Wise Street, and Porter Apartments Community Housing Programs.
2. Responsible for the recruitment, training, scheduling, and direct supervision of assigned staff. Conducts initial intake/interview and assessment for Community Housing Program placement.
3. Completes psychosocial assessments on each participant. Establishes Individual Service Plans based on mutually agreed-upon goals and objectives and program participants' needs.
4. Provides counseling and referrals to appropriate services. Coordinates interagency referrals for health care, human services, psychiatric intervention, legal and governmental entitlement programs.
5. Coordinates intradepartmental referrals within Homeless Services for work rehabilitation, clinical nursing services, substance abuse counseling, etc.
6. Assists in residents' life skills development individually and in groups, such as money management, shopping, cooking, etc.
7. Serves as primary liaison between 1810 Realty (property managers), BPHC, and Friends of Boston's Homeless as necessary.
8. Manages vacancy list/paperwork with the Boston Housing Department for open units by maintaining regular communication with BHA partners and completing all necessary paperwork.
9. Maintains regular communication with DND and HomeStart to manage open units at Wise Street within the Coordinated Access System.
10. Ensures consistent and appropriate billing for services by serving as primary point of contact with BPHC's Revenue Department, tracking client services provided, completing BSAS enrollment and assessment forms, and entering relevant billing info into the state system.
11. Facilitates weekly house meetings at Wise St. and quarterly house meetings at Porter Apartments. Participates in weekly house meetings at Valentine St. as able.
12. Ensures the maintenance and cleanliness of all properties.
13. Maintains all individual client records. Collects data and prepares reports for funding sources and the Bureau. Maintains documentation as required by BHA, HUD, DPH/BSAS, HomeStart, and prepares/submits client recertifications as necessary.
14. Attends assigned meetings and trainings. Other duties as required.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree with a minimum of two years of human service experience or College level coursework equivalent to an Associate degree with three years of human service experience, or High School Diploma and four years of minimum experience may be substituted.
2. Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CADAC, CAS) or Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) preferred.
3. Previous experience working with homeless, diverse ethnic, racial, and low-income populations with an understanding of mental health, substance abuse, and recovery issues.
4. Strong organizational and communication skills. Knowledge of Boston area social service agencies. Ability to work in a team atmosphere. Strong computer skills required.
5. Valid driver's license and good driving record.
6. Bi-Lingual/Spanish speaking preferred.