Housing Search Case Manager

UpSide413; Pittsfield (MA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

UpSide413 in Pittsfield, MA is seeking an experienced Housing Case Manager to assess client housing barriers and coordinate resources within a Housing First framework.

The role includes conducting assessments, building partnerships with service providers, and guiding clients through housing applications while maintaining ongoing support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; may be substituted with 2 years of relevant work experience.
• At least 2 years of experience in nonprofit social services or related field.
• Case management and assessment experience with homeless individuals and families.
• Crisis intervention experience related to homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse.
• Experience assisting clients with housing barriers including legal, financial, psychological, and criminal.
• Knowledge of MA state service systems (DTA, DCF, DMH).
• Knowledge of service agencies and resources for homeless individuals and families.
• Experience with direct service delivery.
• Willingness to accompany clients to appointments.
• Willingness to work as part of a team to promote program goals.
• Sensitive to the needs of the homeless, low income and diverse populations.
• Ability to work in a busy, diverse team setting.
• Excellent time management, organizational and communication skills.
• Bi-lingual preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Housing Based Assessment to identify client barriers related to housing.
• Obtain resources and services to address housing barriers.
• Develop partnerships with service providers within Housing First framework.
• Assist with move-in transition supports and budget resources.
• Maintain ongoing relationship with placed clients and connect to supports.
• Make home visits to clients who obtained permanent housing.
• Develop housing intake/history for homeless or at-risk clients.
• Create tracking for housing search and placements.
• Assist with completing standardized universal applications.
• Explain and assist with housing application processes and referrals.
• Assist with ongoing housing search and landlord outreach.
• Collaborate to develop housing leads and landlord contacts.
• Coordinate housing search with internal and external resources.
• Share information on housing opportunities with staff.
• Develop and conduct housing search workshops.

Skills

Case management

Assessment

Crisis intervention

Housing barriers assistance

Time management

Communication

Teamwork

Bilingual (preferred)

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Bilingual strongly encouraged to apply! Please submit cover letter and resume.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Housing Based Assessment to best determine the immediate client concerns and/or barriers related to accessing and sustaining housing including, but not limited to: income, employment, housing, food and nutrition, adult education, legal, health, life skills, mental health, substance abuse, family relations, mobility, community involvement/linkages, safety, prevention skills, transportation and domestic violence
• Obtain resources and services as requested and/or needed to address barriers to housing as stated above including but not limited to; CORI resolution, credit problems, and assistance with financial applications
• Develop partnerships and collaborations with internal and external service providers to ensure client receives comprehensive services within Housing First Framework
• Assist client with move-in transition supports including but not limited to furniture and furnishings assistance, budget support, and other resources and services as needed
• Maintain on-going relationship with placed clients and/or ensure that they are connected to community supports and services
• Make home visits to clients who have obtained permanent housing as needed and/or requested
• Develop and implement a housing intake/history with homeless and/or at-risk of homelessness clients
• Develop and implement a tracking system for clients regarding their housing search and placements
• Ensure that all homeless or at-risk clients are assisted with completion of standardized, universal applications
• Ensure that all clients receive explanation and assistance with navigating housing application processes including referral to all appropriate housing opportunities, including but not limited to, local housing authorities, regional non-profit housing agencies private management companies, and community development corporations
• Assist clients as needed with on-going housing search including but not limited to, contacting prospective landlords and/or management companies, accompanying clients to view and apply for units, attending appointments at housing agencies and other search activities as they present
• Collaborate with other staff to develop housing leads and landlord contacts through outreach activities
• Coordinate housing search efforts with internal and external resources
• Share information regarding housing opportunities with other staff; and
• Work closely with the other staff to develop and conduct housing search workshops to address varied needs and stages of housing search

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred; may be substituted for 2 years of relevant work experience
• At least 2 years of experience in non-profit social services programming or related field
• Case Management and assessment experience with homeless individuals and families
• Experience with crisis intervention regarding issues such as homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse
• Experience assisting clients with housing barriers, including legal, financial, psychological and criminal
• Knowledge and experience with MA state service systems including but not limited to, DTA, the DCF, and DMH
• Knowledge and experience with service agencies and resources for homeless individuals and families
• Experience with direct service delivery
• Willingness to accompany clients as needed to appointments
• Willingness to work as part of a team to promote the goals of the program and agency
• Sensitive to the needs of the homeless, low income and diverse populations
• Ability to work in a busy, diverse team setting
• Excellent time management, organizational and communication skills
• Bi-lingual Preferred

COVER LETTER AND RESUME REQUIRED