Housing Specialist

South County Mental Health Center, Inc.; Delray Beach (FL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) with employer match

Life and long-term disability

Job summary

South County Mental Health Center, Inc. is seeking an experienced Housing Specialist to manage the housing program for consumer services. You will conduct field work and office tasks, orient participants, and provide housing search and supportive services to promote self-sufficiency and stable housing.

Responsibilities include developing housing plans, advocating with landlords, and coordinating with social service agencies to support clients in achieving permanent housing in Palm Beach County.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field with two years of experience required.
• Valid Driver's License and access to a car.
• Ability to work independently in Palm Beach County and in community settings.

Responsibilities

• Assess housing barriers for individuals and families experiencing homelessness to determine needs.
• Develop a housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency plan with clients.
• Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords to obtain and maintain housing.
• Assist participants in locating and securing housing of their choice.
• Maintain consistent communication between tenants, landlords, referrals, and agencies.
• Serve as liaison between property managers, participants, and neighbors.

Skills

Housing First philosophy

Strong organizational skills

Detail oriented

Effective communication

Cultural competency

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field with two years of experience

Job description

Position Summary

South County Mental Health Center, Inc. is seeking an experienced and strategic Housing Specialist. This position provides a variety of office and field activities to manage and monitor housing program for consumer services and compiles related documentation. Work involves orienting all eligible participants to the program and providing housing search and supportive services to promote participants self-sufficiency, integration into the community, and permanency in housing; performing administrative tasks involved in the review and maintenance of a caseload of program participants. The principal duties are performed both in a general office environment and in the field and community where program participants reside.

About Us

South County Mental Health Center, Inc. is a private, non-profit, Joint Commission-accredited behavioral healthcare provider serving Southeast Palm Beach County. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality mental health services to individuals and families in our community.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assess housing barriers for individuals and families experiencing homelessness to determine housing and service needs.
• Develop a housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with clients. This shall include intake interview to determine client's needs, goals, and eligibility.
• Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client's behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and maintain housing.
• Assist participants in locating and securing housing of their choice.
• Create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e. tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors, and creditors).
• Serve as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants as well as between participants and neighbors.
• Provide information and referral assistance regarding available support from appropriate social service agencies and/or community programs.
• Assist in development of and encourage adherence to a personal budget through proactive housing and budget counseling sessions; provide budget counseling and education to assist clients in establishing payment plans for bills and past debts and assist clients in obtaining and maintaining their housing.
• Assist participants in development of a strength-based/solution-focused individualized goal and action plan that promotes permanent housing and self-sufficiency; develop an effective, timely referral network to ensure ongoing direction and support as needed. Collaborating with Agency Case Management, Care Coordination, or Forensic teams.
• Identify participant strengths and barriers to stability and assist participants to reducing barriers and linking to resources and services.
• Provide proactive follow-up communication to ensure stability and further progress towards self-sufficiency; this includes Peer support referrals, advocacy, and communication for case management visits weekly until consumers feel safe and confident in their new living arrangement.
• Apply knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate clients of their rights and responsibilities.
• Trains clients as deemed necessary. Transportation requirements should be limited to housing and job searches and occasional visits to relevant social service agencies.
• Maintain accurate daily log records, monthly outcome reports, and files for each client.
• Collect and report program data, including but not limited to HMIS reporting and funders' required data.
• Trained in SPDAT and become a member of the Homeless Housing Alliance
• Attend staff and community meetings.
• Complete an extensive monthly report to convey data to DCF.
• Conduct assessments, as instructed, as part of client's medical records.
• Daily entries into Credible (EHR) schedule and COC module.

Core Competencies

• Requires knowledge and belief in "Housing First" and other philosophy and strategies.
• Possess strong organizational skills with ability to meet a demanding workload.
• Detail oriented to complete requirements of files and contract compliance.
• Knowledge or understanding of tenant's rights and responsibilities as well as "strengths based" engagement.
• Concentrated record keeping, budgeting, and mathematical skills; ability to produce required reports.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources, social service agencies, and landlords.
• Valid Driver's License and a car.
• Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of population served.
• A commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems.
• A conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change.
• The ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers or professionals.

Physical Demands

Must be in good physical condition with no restrictions of movement.

Working Conditions

• Working independently around Palm Beach County
• Driving clients
• Interaction with clients of South County

Full-Time Position

Schedule: Monday – Friday (hours may vary based on organizational needs)

Location: In-person (Delray Beach, FL)

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Life and long-term disability coverage
• Voluntary benefit options
• 401(k) with employer match

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in human services preferred, or a minimum of a two-year degree in Human related services and two years related experience

Additional Information

Background check required

Drug-free workplace

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

Employment Requirements

Employment with South County Mental Health Center requires compliance with applicable health screening requirements, including a PPD/TB screening. Employees must also receive the annual influenza vaccination or wear a face mask during flu season (October through April), subject to applicable accommodations.