Housing Solutions Specialist (Multiple Positions) (Closes 9/22)

Allegheny County Department of Human Services; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Allegheny County Department of Human Services is seeking a Housing Specialist within the Office of Community Services to assist individuals transitioning from emergency shelters and homeless housing programs. You will help prevent homelessness, support housing applications, and coordinate with CoC providers and DHS data systems to maximize housing stability for those most in need.

You will work with households including those unsheltered or unstable housing situations, ensuring timely

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of local, state and federal housing resources and how to access them.
• Knowledge of resources to stabilize housing such as mediation, utility and rental assistance programs.
• Knowledge of the county’s homeless system and related services.
• Experience conducting searches for affordable housing.
• Knowledge of tenants’ rights and responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct assistance to resolve housing crises for individuals.
• Perform preliminary eligibility screenings for publicly and privately funded programs.
• Serve as subject-matter expert on housing types, application processes, and listings resources.
• Assist households with paperwork and becoming document-ready for housing.
• Review leases and explain tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Complete assessments for homeless housing services and supports.
• Advocate on households’ behalf when needed and empower self-advocacy.
• Engage individuals respectfully and maintain confidentiality.
• Track supports provided and participate in team meetings and trainings.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and address service gaps.

Skills

Housing resources knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Documentation and reporting

Time management

Advocacy and empowerment

Education

Master’s degree in social services

Bachelor’s degree in social services with 2 years field experience

Job description

This position sits in the Office of Community Services within the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. The goal of the Housing Specialist is to support people in their successful transitions out of emergency shelters and homeless system housing programs. The position also will work with households to prevent episodes of homelessness and maintain housing when appropriate. This position will work across the array of CoC providers, leveraging relationships with those providers and the robust DHS data systems to identify and serve eligible households. Through the provision of specialized housing navigation and support, this role will improve system flow and conserve homeless system housing units for those with the greatest need, while reducing the length of time households experience homelessness.

The population of households the Housing Specialist will provide direct assistance to are individuals utilizing emergency shelter, experiencing unsheltered homelessness, and/or residing in unhabitable or untenable situations. There is a focus on individuals who are not eligible, not likely to receive, or not in need of longer-term housing (Rapid Rehousing/Permanent Supportive Housing) services within the homeless system. The types of assistance include but are not limited to assisting in becoming document ready, housing search, housing applications, connection to potential resources for income, employment, & health insurance, and linkage to resources related to their housing crisis and other available social services. This position will also work with households enrolled in homeless system housing programs, who no longer need the support services within those programs to support moving on to independent, safe, and stable permanent housing.

If hired for this position, you would be an employee of our partner agency, Community Family Advocates working onsite at Allegheny County DHS.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides individuals with direct assistance to help resolve housing crises.
• Provides a preliminary eligibility screening for publicly and privately funded programs in addition to the presenting housing crisis.
• Serves as an expert on the different types of housing available, the requirements for each, the process for applying, and recommended resources for listings.
• Assists households with completing paperwork and becoming 'document ready' for housing.
• Acts as a resource for reviewing leases and explaining tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Completes assessments, as appropriate, for homeless housing services & supports relating to homeless services
• When needed, advocates on the household’s behalf and when appropriate, assists the household to empower itself to advocate on its own behalf.
• Engages individuals in a way in which they are comfortable.
• Embraces a “do whatever it takes” attitude.
• Responsible for tracking supports provided.
• Participates in team meetings, trainings, and other related events as a resource specialist representing DHS.
• Identify and communicate opportunities to improve processes and services, including need trends and gaps in service for continuous improvement.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Additional Responsibilities

From time to time, the employee will be required to perform additional tasks and duties as required by the employer.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of local, state and federal housing resources and how to access them
• Knowledge of local resources to help stabilize housing situations, such as mediation, utility, and rental assistance programs
• Knowledge of the county’s homeless system
• Experience conducting searches for affordable housing
• Knowledge of tenants’ rights and responsibilities
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills in a direct service environment
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Ability to build partnerships and engage in positive collaboration with a wide range of individuals and organizations
• Ability to learn and utilize web-based and PC software and email to develop reports and document services provided
• Strong ability to work independently as well as part of a high-performance team of professionals with an office culture of cohesive teamwork and respect
• Ability to efficiently manage time and work well under pressure in a fast-paced office environment and in various community settings, while maintaining confidentiality and professional conduct
• Strong organizational skills, problem solving skills, and judgement
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in culturally diverse settings with diverse populations
• Consistent access to reliable transportation with the ability to navigate in the community for work related assignments

Education/Experience Requirements

Master’s degree in a field of study related to social services.

-OR-

Bachelor’s degree in a field of study related to social services with at least two (2) years’ experience of field work related to social services.

-OR-

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which meets the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Act 33, 34 and FBI clearances.

Why DHS?

DHS is diverse, but we strive to be even more inclusive. This includes equity in hiring and advancement, as well as in unleashing the creativity and ideas of staff at every level of DHS.

It has strong, assertive leaders. We do not hire yes-people.

You can make a big impact here. We stand out as one of the best human services organizations in the country. But we need problem-solvers, innovators, and terrific leaders to make sure we are smart in how we use our funding so that we reach the people who most need our help to make their lives better.

“DHS strives to be the kind of place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come to grow and do their best work.”

-From the organization’s statement on Equity and Inclusion

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER -M/F/V/D