Housing Specialist

Mount Rogers Community Services Board; Marion (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Mount Rogers Community Services Board is seeking a Housing Specialist, Supportive, to assess and coordinate supportive housing services for individuals with Serious Mental Illness or ID/DD within Permanent Supported Housing. The role focuses on housing stability, crisis response, and collaboration with landlords and partners.

The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, QMHP credential preferred, and a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent education/experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide initial assessments and ongoing functional assessments.
• Coordinate community support services for individuals with SMI/ID‑DD in Permanent Supported Housing (PSH).
• Promote housing stability and engage participants in supportive services without making service participation mandatory for tenancy.
• Coordinate with landlords and key partners to address housing-related issues and crises.
• Provide education, linkage and referral to mainstream benefits and community resources.
• Develop and monitor supportive housing plans and conduct monthly in-home visits.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field

Job description

The Housing Specialist, Supportive, is responsible to provide initial assessment, ongoing functional assessments, coordinating community support services to individuals with Serious Mental Illnesses (SMI) or those dully diagnosed with ID/DD related disorders in Permanent Supported Housing (PSH). Promotes housing stability, proactively engages participants of the PSH program in a flexible and comprehensive array of supportive services, without requiring participation in services as a condition of ongoing tenancy; effectively coordinates with key partners to address issues resulting from medical, cognitive limitations, substance use, or mental health and other crises, with a focus on fostering housing stability and recovery-oriented practices; responsible for being a supportive liaison between property owners and PSH participants through providing on call, triage, and response to housing-related crisis.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Maximum of Eight)

• Enable served persons to independently care for their own health, safety, and well-being while that person is in their respective residence or community; some tasks may including ensuring a safe environment by performing such tasks as fire drills, fire prevention, security checks, and monthly fire extinguisher checks. Aid in coordination of or when applicable ensure safe transportation to and from medical appointments, social and recreational activities and other agency programs, and as needed, to assist in menu planning, meal preparation and grocery shopping.
• Coordinate with Department of Social Services (DSS); Uniform Assessment Instrument (UAI) assessors; clinical, rehabilitation, and recovery support providers; representative payees; and family and natural supports; and other relevant parties.
• Respond directly to housing-related crises and coordinates with other emergency response systems to prevent and address other recipient crises.
• Facilitate landlord-tenant communication and monitors basic lease compliance.
• Provide support and independent living skills training as needed; ensure apartment adheres to ongoing compliance with habitability and affordability standards.
• Provides education, linkage, and referral to mainstream benefits, community resources, and supportive services including treatment and skills training.
• Develop supportive housing plan and conduct in-home visits at least monthly to assess housing stability and progress toward supportive housing plan goals.
• Assist with relocations and moves, when/if necessary.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Basic knowledge of mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse conditions.
• Knowledge and know how to effectively teach independent daily living skills training.
• Patience and ability to deal with various disabilities.
• Ability to interact with persons in a supportive and therapeutic manner.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Strong ability to manage diverse duties and multiple priorities.

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION REQUIRED

Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services, Business Management, or a related field is preferred, or equivalent education and/or experience is acceptable.

QMHP credential preferred.

Valid driver’s license with a safe driving record.