Housing Specialist

Socket.dev; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental & Vision plans

403(b) retirement savings matching

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is seeking a Housing Specialist to support the Housing Assistance Department in addressing the housing stability needs of program participants and ensuring housing program integrity.

You will interpret HUD funding rules, assist with housing applications, verify eligibility, coordinate housing searches and lease-ups, and maintain accurate data across HMIS and related systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; 4+ years in human services may substitute.
• Colorado driver’s license within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Interpret funding rules and regulations for housing programs (HUD).
• Facilitate completion of funding source and housing applications.
• Verify eligibility for funding sources according to regulations (income, household size, rent assistance).
• Assist with housing searches, orientations, inspections, and lease-ups within Voucher Administration.
• Coordinate with housing agencies to ensure timely documentation and payments.
• Maintain accurate data in HMIS/El EM? and internal reporting systems.

Skills

Critical thinking

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Emotional intelligence

HIPAA knowledge

Office software

Oral and written communication

Negotiation

Time management

Reliable transportation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social services

Colorado driver’s license

Tools

HMIS

Emphasys/Elite

HubSpot

Microsoft Teams

MS Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint)

Job description

This position will be posted for a minimum of 5 days

Coalition Mission

The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for families, children, and individuals who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness throughout Colorado.

The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being, and stability of those it serves.

Our Philosophy of Service

We believe all people have the right to adequate housing and health care. We work to remove the barriers that restrict access to these rights. Society benefits when adequate housing and healthcare are available to everyone.

We create lasting solutions to homelessness by:

1. Honoring the inherent dignity of those we serve, affirming their capabilities, and fostering their hope that a better life is possible;
2. Building strong, caring, and trauma-informed communities through the integration of housing, health care, and supportive services;
3. Advocating for social and racial equity, inclusion, and diversity and challenging the status quo in partnership with our workforce members and those we serve;
4. Achieving excellence through continuous quality assurance, innovation, and professional development;
5. Using resources judiciously and effectively.

Position Summary

The Housing Specialist supports the Housing Assistance Department (HAD) by collaboratively addressing the housing stability needs of program participants and ensuring housing program integrity.

Duties/Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Research, monitor, and properly interprets funding rules and regulations for various housing programs, including HUD.
• Facilitates households with completing funding source and housing application paperwork.
• Accurately verifies eligibility for funding sources in accordance with all regulations including income, household composition, payment assistance for rent, utilities, or move-in expenses, and other standards.
• As assigned and within the scope of Voucher Administration, assists with housing searches, orientations, inspections, and lease-ups.
• Conducts housing orientations, inspections, solicit and completes paperwork to ensure compliance for eligible funding sources.
• Monitors and documents rental units that fail inspection. Imposes sanctions of rent abatement for units not meeting repair deadlines.
• Outreaches and engages program participants on an as needed basis. This may include meeting with program participants in the office, on the streets, in the shelters, at places of employment, or in their rental units to ensure housing program activities are completed.
• Identifies and collaboratively resolves conflicts with and between parties which may include rent and lease negotiations.
• Coordinates with housing related agencies and partners to ensure housing stability for households by ensuring the accurate and timely submission of required documentation and payments
• Demonstrates competency in all data base systems including Colorado’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), Emphasys/Elite, HubSpot, Microsoft Teams, or other tools and applications that the Housing Assistance Department utilizes to perform work.
• Tracks and coordinates assigned tasks, projects, and programs.
• Ensures accurate data collection and entry to maintain fidelity in internal and external reporting systems to ensure reporting complies with legal and funding requirements. When assigned, prepares reports for HAD Leadership.
• Collaborates with Coalition programs and outside service providers to ensure a coordination of care for households upon transfer from Housing Navigation.
• Regularly consults with HAD Leadership on training needs, operational issues, and program improvements.
• Actively participates in meetings, as assigned
• Respond to contacts in a professional, accurate, meaningful, and timely manner.
• Maintains a recovery-focuses and trauma informed work environment that is marked by respect for others, values inclusiveness, builds workforce diversity, and that fosters cooperation and teamwork.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education, Licensure and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social service-related field preferred. 4 or more years of experience in human services or homeless services related field may be substituted for education.
• Must have and maintain in good standing, a Colorado drivers license within 30 days of hire

Experience

• Prior experience working with HUD regulations and/or subsidized housing programs preferred.
• Prior experience working with people who are experiencing homelessness or who have come from homelessness preferred.

Job Competencies

• Sound critical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Consistently superb customer service skills; excellent interpersonal/assertive communications skills demonstrating a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Experience working with people who are experiencing homelessness or who have come from homelessness preferred.
• Knowledge of homeless issues and demonstrated sensitivity to and a desire to work with underserved populations.
• Knowledge of HIPPA federal and state requirements.
• Able to operate office equipment, such as computers, software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; e-mail) and telephones.
• Skilled in oral and written communications.
• Skilled in negotiating and mediating, particularly in sensitive situations. Able to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
• Able to organize and prioritize multiple responsibilities simultaneously. Able to ensure accuracy of data management and reporting.
• Reliable transportation required. Valid CO Driver’s License Required.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Physical demands and work environment are representative of those that must be met or encountered to successfully perform the essential functions of the job with or reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, CCH provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Company.

Physical Demands

• Percentage of work time spent on activity: 0% - 24%, 25% to 49%, 50% to 74%, 75% to 100%
• SEEING: Must be able to read computer screens and printed documents.
• HEARING: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with employees and others.
• STANDING/WALKING
• CLIMBING/STOOPING/KNEELING
• LIFTING/PULLING/PUSHING

Coalition Benefits:

We offer a full suite of benefits for our eligible employees and their dependents. We’re proud to offer same-and opposite-sex domestic partner coverage.

• Health Insurance - HMO or PPO
• Dental plans, vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, supplemental life insurance
• Company paid basic life and AD&D insurance coverage, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) retirement savings matching,
• Extensive paid time-off, including holidays, sick leave, and vacation

The effective date for your benefits will be the first of the month following your date of hire.

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others. CCH is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any characteristic protected by law.