Housing Retention Specialist

The-Immigrant-and-Refugee-Community-Organization; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible scheduling

Benefits for staff

Job summary

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) in Portland, OR is seeking a Housing Retention Specialist for the Emergency Housing Voucher program. The role focuses on building trust with families and coordinating housing services to promote stability and eventual permanent housing.

Hybrid work schedule with full-time status and comprehensive benefits. Requires a bachelor’s degree and 1–2 years of experience with strong communication and intercultural skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Minimum 1-2 years of work experience is required.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills.
• Strong intercultural, interpersonal, and organizational communication.
• Communicate effectively in writing, verbally, and by phone.
• Multilingual, multibackground team experience is valued.

Responsibilities

• Support program manager in meeting IRCO's Program Management Standards and engage in improvement.
• Identify eligible units and accessible units as needed, including low-poverty neighborhoods.
• Outreach to landlords/property owners of potentially eligible units.
• Provide transportation assistance and directions to potential units.
• Assist families with rental applications, rental agreements, and paperwork.
• Advocate with landlords to promote stability for families.
• Help expedite the EHV leasing process for families.
• Record data in IRCO database and HMIS; maintain accurate records.
• Build collaborative relationships with landlords, agencies, and community groups.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal communication

Multilingual communication

Written and verbal comms

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Description

POSITION: Housing Retention Specialist

JOB CLASS/GRADE: Specialist 1/Grade 8

WAGE: Starting at $49,572 per year based on experience

FLSA; EEO; WC: Non-Exempt; Professional; 8864

LOCATIONS: IRCO Main Office, 10301 NE Glisan St Portland OR 97220

Hybrid schedule

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS : 1.0 FTE; Full-Time with Benefits; Regular

(Limited duration 11/1-12/31/2026)

NUMBER OF POSITIONS: (1)

APPLY AT: www.irco.org

STATUS: Full-Time with Benefits

PROGRAM(S): Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV)

SECTOR: Asset & Opportunity Building / Housing

REQUIREMENTS: English required. Bilingual in a 2nd language preferred.

Must possess a valid driver’s license and verification of current auto-insurance and have full use of an automobile during work hours

This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Program Summary
The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program is for families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness and provides home-based services and support for families in permanent housing to help drive down racial disparities in the experience of homelessness. Experience working with people from historically marginalized racial and ethnic communities. Communities must be overrepresented in access to and success in the Emergency Housing Voucher Program. Transitional services are provided to some families who recently exited the Mobile Housing Program. For the transitional cases, the case management services phase out as families stabilize in their housing and with new networks of supportive services.

Position Summary
This temporary position will start on 11/1/26 and end on 12/31/26. The Housing Retention Specialist will work with families and focus on building and nourishing mutual relationships, trust, and support to promote the strengths and capabilities of families as they work to obtain permanent housing. The Housing Retention Specialist works as a member of the Homeless Family System of Care's (HFSC) Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program, an interagency team working within Multnomah County's system of coordinated entry.

Essential Functions

• Support program manager in meeting IRCO's Program Management Standards and engaging in continuous learning for program improvement.
• Support program manager in meeting IRCO's Program Management Standards and engaging in continuous learning for program improvement.
• Assist in identifying eligible units, including physically accessible units as needed, as well as units in low-poverty neighborhoods
• Outreach to landlord/property owners of potentially eligible units
• Provide transportation assistance and directions to potential units
• Assist families and individuals with rental applications, rental agreements, and other paperwork
• Advocate directly, as needed, with landlord on behalf of the families and individuals to promote stability
• Help expediate the EHV leasing process for families and individuals
• Initiate and support processes that reduce harm to homeless families and promote transition into permanent housing by supporting access to services, employment, and housing
• Emphasize a strengths-based approach to support families in their efforts to move out of homelessness
• Provide and maintain continuing support to promote housing stabilization with recently exited Mobile Housing clients, including visiting new tenants and building constructive relationships with property owners
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with landlords, police, social service agencies, businesses, and neighborhood organizations while working with area landlords to ensure and expand housing options for homeless families
• Maintain a narrative of contact with families, service providers, and others involved in the effort to transition families out of homelessness and into permanent housing
• Record data in the IRCO database and in the shared Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database
• Maintain timely and accurate records on HMIS
• Record and track expenses (e.g. client assistance, rent) spent on behalf of clients; report these expenses regularly
• Work effectively with a team with varied backgrounds.
• Participate in team building efforts, staff meetings, and organizational functions
• Attend trainings and meetings conducted as part of the Homeless Family System of Care (HFSC) in Multnomah County’s Homeless Services Department (HSD)
• Distribute assistance funds to client's landlords or utility companies
• Refer clients to other sources of assistance to help them reach their goals

Secondary Functions

• Participate in team building efforts, staff meetings, and organizational functions
• Attend trainings and meetings conducted as part of Multnomah County’s Homeless Services Department (HSD)
• Participating in staff meetings, trainings, and committees to support the Housing and Supportive Services sector’s and agency's goals
• Interact with staff in other IRCO programs and community partners, and referring clients to these parties

Requirements

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of training and experience
• Minimum 1-2 years of work experience is required
• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills
• Strong skills in intercultural, interpersonal, and organizational communication
• Communicate effectively in a positive manner verbally, in writing, and by phone
• Strong communication skills in a multilingual, multibackground team and organization

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

• Hybrid Setting job
• Position requires little physical effort such as lifting, carrying, or constant movement, but does allow for movement needed to complete work tasks
• Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions, or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers.
• Well protected environment with minimal hazards or obstacles
• Stable work schedule with no fluctuations

Supervisory Responsibilities

Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions, or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers.

What We Offer

IRCO is a very employee-friendly workplace and offers great benefit package to our staff:

• Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
• Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
• Work that helps your community
• 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year
• 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting
• 3% match for student loans or college savings
• 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Medical & Dental insurance options with 85% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
• Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance
• Flexible spending account

Required Engagement

Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO’s mission, vision, and values-based initiatives.

IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.