Housing Program Coordinator

The Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Inc.; North Adams (MA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Inc. is seeking a Housing Specialist to work weekdays, first shift, with no nights, weekends or holidays.

The role supports persons served to identify and secure affordable housing, set up utilities, and navigate subsidies within the Housing First framework. You will collaborate with housing authorities, landlords and community agencies, coordinate leases, teach money management, and help with tenancy preservation while advocating

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree required.
• Housing experience - 2-4 years preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work within the Housing First and Rapid Housing model.
• Collaborate with Housing Authorities, landlords and community service agencies to seek affordable housing options
• Assist Persons served to identify housing options, housing searches and acquiring furniture
• Assist Persons served to set up and/or discontinue utilities
• Support Persons served to apply for housing subsidies including support to complete applications, acquire required documentation, and advocate when needed
• Assist in moving Persons
• Assist Persons through tenancy preservation and advocate for Persons when necessary
• Actively support Persons served in the community and/or residential setting to find safe and affordable living situations
• Serves as primary contact for housing assistance for Persons
• Coordinates process of leases, landlord negotiations, and contracts
• Teach skills to maintain housing
• Troubleshoot housing issues as they arise
• Encourage and support persons served in developing a natural support network
• Collaborate and participate in meetings and service coordination with outside agencies and community supports
• Teach money management skills to persons-served
• Complete monthly apartment inspections for project based subsidies
• Attend all required treatment meetings
• Provide Medication Administration to Persons per MAP protocol.

Skills

MS Office

People skills

Presentation skills

Leadership & delegation

Community resources

Professionalism & confidentiality

Advocacy

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Weekdays, 1st Shift! No nights, weekends or holidays!

General Description

Actively work with hope and optimism with persons served in the community and homes to promote independence, skill building, and attainment of personal goals during their journey to recovery.

Essential Job Functions

• Work within the Housing First and Rapid Housing model.


• Collaborate with the local Housing Authorities, landlords and community service agencies to seek affordable housing options


• Assist Person’s served to identify housing options, housing searches and acquiring furniture


• Assist Person’s served to set up and/or discontinue utilities


• Support Person’s to apply for housing subsidies including support to complete applications, acquire required documentation, and serve as an advocate when needed


• Assist in moving Persons


• Assist Persons through tenancy preservation and advocate for Persons when necessary


• Actively support Person’s served in the community and/or residential setting to find safe and affordable living situations


• Serves as primary contact for housing assistance for Persons


• Coordinates process of leases, landlord negotiations, and contracts


• Teach skills to maintain housing


• Troubleshoot housing issues as they arise


• Encourage and support persons served in developing a natural support network.


• Collaborate and participate in meetings and service coordination with outside agencies and community supports.


• Teach money management skills to persons-served.


• Complete monthly apartment inspections for project based subsidies


• Attend all required treatment meetings


• Provide Medication Administration to Persons per MAP protocol. This may include medication administration to cover staff emergencies and coverage needs. Audit medications as assigned.

Other Responsibilities

• Support and maintain the principles and policies of the agency


• Flexibly respond to program scheduling needs


• Communicate a sense of hopefulness and respect for Person’s rights


• Follow all agency and program policy and procedures


• Represent the agency in a professional manner in all community contacts


• Demonstrate a commitment to the Agency’s mission and community mental health principles


• Work cooperatively with staff


• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree required,


• Housing experience - 2-4 years preferred.

Skills

• Proficient computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft office


• Ability to work with a wide variety of people


• Excellent oral & presentation skills


• Leadership talent and the ability to delegate effectively


• Knowledge of community resources


• Ability to conduct yourself professionally and manage confidential information


• Ability to advocate program services to community members

Other Requirements

• Ability to pass a CORI (Criminal Background check) and DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles check)


• Complete all required trainings within four months of hire or program transfer (MAP, CPR, First Aid, Human Rights, Trauma Informed Care, Housing First, Mutuality, Orientation, Motivational Interviewing, etc.)


• Able to use personal vehicle for business use

Working Conditions

• Works in office; temperature regulated


• Facilitate groups and services in other community locations


• Able to travel and enter various types of community and employer settings


• Able to work or travel inside and outside as needed in varying weather conditions


• Multiple schedules are available for position- these schedules may include evening and/or weekend hours.

Physical Requirements And Conditions

• Manual & visual dexterity; correctable


• Lifting Maximums: weight of grocery bags and/or laundry baskets


• Push, pull, stand, reach overhead and twist


• Able to bend at the knees, waist and lower self to the ground or floor without assistance


• Able to physically climb and descend stairs without assistance


• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions