Housing Specialist

Voala; Lancaster (CA); On-site; USD 32,414 - 34,123; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Voala seeks a Housing Specialist I to identify suitable housing for program participants and help them achieve stable, independent living. You will work with the services team through assessment, planning, engagement and delivery, supporting case management, outreach and community engagement as directed.

The role involves landlord communications, move-in coordination, and collaboration with the case management team to develop Individual Service Plans for clients.

Qualifications

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance and background check.
• TB screening and immunization records within 5 days of hire.
• Current BLS certification within 15 days of hire.
• Copy of current professional license (if applicable).
• Completion of all required trainings within 30 days of hire.
• Ability to manage emotional stress and conflicts with clients.

Responsibilities

• Identify and locate housing options for homeless participants and refer to VOALA shelters as appropriate.
• Maintain a housing database linking tenants to apartments and communicate with landlords.
• Coordinate move-in activities, rental negotiations, and service referrals.
• Facilitate use of community resources to prevent eviction and support permanent housing placement.
• Conduct comprehensive screenings and assessments to inform an Individual Service Plan.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Client advocacy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Services or related

Equivalents (four years education/experience)

Job description

Pay Rate and Benefits

PAY RATE: $23.53 - $24.77 per hour

BENEFITS: VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits.

Job Summary

The Housing Specialist I is responsible for identifying suitable housing options for program participants and their families, and assisting the participants to achieve sustainable and healthy independent living. Part of the services team for the program, the Housing Specialist participates in all stages of client service: assessment, services planning, engagement and delivery. Assists program case management, outreach and community engagement as directed.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Identifies and locates housing options suitable for homeless participants, including referral to VOALA shelters as appropriate.
  • Creates and maintains a housing database linking tenants to apartments
  • Communicates with landlords and familiarizes them with the program and the unique needs of participants
  • Conducts habitability and lead‑based paint inspections of housing options as needed
  • Works directly (one‑on‑one) with landlords on behalf of clients and program
• Develops support systems to meet individual client’s housing needs; coordinates and facilitates move‑in activities, rental negotiations, and service referrals as needed
• Facilitates the use of community resources to assist both tenants and landlords in the event of problems leading to potential eviction
• As a member of the program case management team, provides information referrals, crisis intervention, and assistance with permanent housing placement for participants
  • Assists case managers in conducting the comprehensive screenings and assessments to collect functional, environmental, financial, employment, housing, educational, and health information, as appropriate, to develop an Individual Service Plan
  • Coordinates follow‑up services with case management team
• Additional duties as assigned

Mandated Reporter

All employees are considered Mandated Reporters and must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse to proper authorities.

Qualifications

Requirements

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications
• Current TB screening and immunization records (within 5 days of hire)
• Copy of current professional license (if applicable)
• Current BLS certification (within 15 days of hire)
• Completion of all required trainings (within 30 days of hire)
• Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflicts dealing with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programs which may include clients with homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration and other challenges

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Services or related discipline
• Or equivalent combination of education and work experience (four years)

Experience

• One year of experience working with veterans, people in recovery and/or homelessness individuals

Preferred Qualifications

Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This employer participates in E‑Verify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E‑Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.