Housing Specialist

Waypoint; Cedar Rapids, Northern (IA, KY); Hybrid; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Waypoint in Cedar Rapids, IA seeks a Housing Specialist to help individuals and families facing homelessness secure and maintain stable housing. You will assess needs, set goals, navigate applications, and build connections with landlords and partners.

The role emphasizes relationship building, problem solving, and trauma‑informed practices. A four‑year degree is preferred; full‑time hours with a starting pay of $21.63/hour are offered.

Qualifications

• Foundation in human services or related field with understanding of homelessness.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to document clearly.
• Experience coordinating services and navigating community resources is preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work with diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized housing support by assessing needs, identifying barriers, and helping participants secure and maintain housing.
• Identify housing opportunities, navigate applications, and develop skills and connections for stability.
• Advocate, problem-solve, and provide guidance through group and one-on-one interactions.
• Coordinate with landlords, community providers, and Waypoint staff to develop housing solutions.
• Respond to crises with sound judgment and trauma-informed practices; maintain accurate program records.
• Complete required reports and support program operations and supervision.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Organization

Problem solving

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Services

Tools

HMIS/ServicePoint

Job description

Description

Help community members navigate housing. Build stability. Create pathways forward.

Organizational Overview

For over 130 years, Waypoint has been dedicated to inspiring people to move forward. We continuously evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of individuals, children, and families in our community through a variety of services and resources. Through this work, we remain devoted to improving lives and strengthening our community.

Position Summary

As a Housing Specialist at Waypoint, you’ll help individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness find and maintain stable housing.

You’ll work alongside participants to identify barriers, set goals, explore housing options, navigate applications and resources, and develop the skills and connections needed for long-term housing stability. You’ll also build relationships with landlords, community providers, and other partners to help create solutions when challenges arise.

This is a relationship-driven role for someone who enjoys problem-solving, connecting people with resources, and helping others recognize their strengths and achieve their goals.

Pay & Schedule

Location: Waypoint Downtown – 318 5th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

Starting Pay: $21.63/hour (Non-Exempt)

Schedule: Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week (hours may vary to meet agency and client needs)

Why You’ll Love This Job

• You’ll help create real change. You’ll work directly with individuals and families to overcome barriers and take meaningful steps toward stable housing.
• You’ll see the impact of your work. From helping someone complete a housing application to celebrating the keys to a new home, you’ll be part of important moments in people’s lives.
• Every participant brings a different challenge. You’ll use creativity, resourcefulness, and problem solving to help find solutions that fit each person’s circumstances.
• You’ll build relationships that matter. You’ll develop connections with participants, landlords, community providers, and partner organizations to create a strong network of support.
• You’ll never stop learning. Housing programs, community resources, and participant needs are constantly evolving, giving you opportunities to grow your knowledge and skills.
• You’ll be part of something bigger. Your work helps Waypoint inspire people to move forward, strengthen families, and build stronger communities.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will:

Help People Find & Maintain Housing

• Provide individualized housing support by assessing needs, identifying barriers, establishing goals, and helping participants secure and maintain stable housing.
• Help participants identify housing opportunities, navigate applications and documentation, and develop skills and connections needed to maintain housing stability.
• Provide advocacy, problem solving, skill building, and goal support through individual and group interactions.
• Connect participants with housing programs, rental assistance, community resources, and other services.

Build Relationships & Coordinate Resources

• Build positive, professional relationships with participants, landlords, community providers, and partner organizations.
• Advocate with landlords and housing providers to address barriers and support housing stability.
• Collaborate with Waypoint staff and community partners to coordinate services and develop solutions to participant needs.
• Respond to participant and community inquiries by providing information, referrals, and assistance.
• Participate in Tenant Academy, community groups, presentations, committees, and other program activities.

Respond, Document & Support the Program

• Respond appropriately to crises and emerging participant needs using sound judgment, established procedures, and trauma-informed practices.
• Maintain accurate and timely participant documentation, program records, and HMIS/ServicePoint data.
• Complete required reports and documentation in accordance with Waypoint and funder requirements.
• Provide guidance to volunteers, interns, or students as assigned.
• Participate in supervision, staff meetings, training, professional development, and program reviews.
• Maintain participant and program confidentiality and follow Waypoint policies, procedures, and safety practices.

What You’ll Bring

The ideal person for this role is compassionate, organized, adaptable, and motivated by helping people overcome barriers and build greater stability in their lives.

You’ll thrive in this role if you are

• Aligned with Waypoint’s values: Have Compassion, Instill Ownership, Empower People, and Embrace Diversity.
• Compassionate and nonjudgmental – You meet people where they are, recognize their strengths, and treat every person with dignity and respect.
• A problem solver – You enjoy identifying barriers, exploring options, thinking creatively, and finding practical solutions.
• An empowering partner – You support people in setting their own goals, making informed decisions, and building confidence in their ability to move forward.
• Organized and dependable – You manage multiple priorities, follow through on commitments, meet deadlines, and keep accurate records.
• A strong communicator – You listen carefully and communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally with participants, landlords, coworkers, and community partners.
• Adaptable and resourceful – You can adjust when circumstances change and find new approaches when the first solution doesn't work.
• A relationship builder – You enjoy connecting with people and developing partnerships that help create better outcomes for participants.
• Calm under pressure – You can respond thoughtfully and professionally when unexpected or challenging situations arise.
• Patient and understanding– You recognize that people's experiences can shape how they respond to services and interactions, and you approach each person with patience, respect, and understanding.

Requirements

What You’ll Need

This role requires a foundation in human services, strong communication and organizational skills, sound judgment, and a commitment to supporting individuals and families toward housing stability.

It’s a plus if you have

• Experience working with individuals or families experiencing homelessness, poverty, housing instability, trauma, domestic violence, mental health challenges, substance use, or other complex barriers.
• Experience in housing navigation, case management, supportive services, or direct human services.
• Experience using HMIS/ServicePoint or similar databases.
• Knowledge of local housing resources, rental assistance programs, and community resources.
• Experience using trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, or other strengths-based approaches.

It is required that you

• Have a four-year degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics and systemic factors related to homelessness, poverty, and housing instability.
• Be able to work effectively with individuals and families from diverse racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Be able to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple priorities.
• Be able to use or learn required computer systems and databases, including HMIS/ServicePoint.
• Successfully complete required HMIS/ServicePoint training and testing and obtain the required user license within 45 days of employment.
• Have a valid driver's license and be insurable under Waypoint's insurance provider requirements.
• Successfully complete a Waypoint/DHS Non-Law Enforcement Records Check if required for the position.

Your Experience Matters

We value the knowledge and perspective gained through education, work, life, and volunteer experiences. If you bring the skills, compassion, and commitment needed to support individuals and families in moving toward housing stability, we encourage you to apply.

Help People Move Forward

Every person deserves the opportunity to have a safe, stable place to call home. As a Housing Specialist, you'll help turn that opportunity into a path forward - one relationship, one solution, and one goal at a time.