Housing Counselor: Guide Families to Secure Housing

Action for Boston Community Development; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Retirement plans

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) seeks a Housing Counselor to support Boston residents through counseling, emergency assistance, and housing resources. The role operates from Malden and serves clients within the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Department.

You will conduct intake, provide outreach, refer clients to services, manage a caseload, and document outcomes to ensure secure housing and program success. Strong communication and bilingual abilities bolster service delivery.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent with up to 12 months of social services experience.
• Housing Counselor Certification or willingness to become certified within 6 months of employment is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work sensitively and effectively with people of diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to handle a variety of assignments and have the flexibility to work some evenings if necessary.
• Bilingual skills in Spanish and Haitian Creole as needed.

Responsibilities

• Triage, assist and provide housing related information, guidance and referrals.
• Provide, at minimum, biweekly outreach and support until housing is secured
• Quarterly stabilization support for 12 months to ensure housing remains secure
• Maintain a case load of up to 30 at risk households at one time and 15 stabilization cases.
• Conduct intake & assessments on clients referred and or walking into the housing department.
• Complete all necessary steps to assist emergency cases in securing shelter
• Respond to referred Homelessness Prevention households within 2 business days.
• Respond to Emergency Assistance referred cases.
• Provide transportation to shelter/scattered site or hotel when needed
• Assist clients with the application process, obtaining housing and other housing resources.
• Refers clients to resources to help sustain housing i.e.: childcare, education, job-training, financial literacy, fuel assistance, weatherization, food, furniture, clothing, transportation, legal referrals, medical care, counseling, parenting skills and other services in their community which impact on their ability to obtain or maintain permanent housing.
• Participates in weekly case reviews.
• Provides weekly and monthly reports.
• Ensure accurate input in all relevant and required data systems
• Perform other related duties as assigned from time to time.

Skills

Communication skills

Bilingual Spanish & Haitian Creole

Cultural sensitivity

Evening flexibility

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Housing Counselor Certification (within 6 months)

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) seeks a Housing Counselor to support Boston residents through counseling, emergency assistance, and housing resources. The role operates from Malden and serves clients within the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Department.

You will conduct intake, provide outreach, refer clients to services, manage a caseload, and document outcomes to ensure secure housing and program success. Strong communication and bilingual abilities bolster service delivery.