Housing Specialist

HOME/LIFE SERVICES INC.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

HOME/LIFE SERVICES INC. in Corona/Queens areas seeks a Housing Specialist to assess clients’ housing and service needs and secure permanent housing from a range of sources.

You will assist clients with property searches, negotiate terms, and guide them through tenant rights and required paperwork. The role requires 2+ years in social services, experience with homeless populations, strong communication skills, and knowledge of regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years experience in the Social Services field.
• Experience with the Homeless population.
• Experience with CARES system.
• Diligent and organized.
• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Sensitive to different cultures and socioeconomic conditions.
• Knowledge of regulatory standards and property management.

Responsibilities

• Secures permanent housing for clients from government agencies, private landlords, and brokers.
• Assists clients with search for available properties and negotiates terms.
• Ensures clients understand their rights and responsibilities as tenants.
• Provides clients with information and refers them to additional support programs or services.
• Prepares and maintains daily logs, records, and reports.
• Counsels and assists clients in completing lease paperwork.
• Partners with Case Managers to prepare clients for landlord/broker interviews.
• Assists and counsels clients in keeping their appointments.
• Ensures new apartments are client-ready (utilities on, furniture delivered).
• Maintains accurate records on client compliance via appointments and interviews.
• Meets or surpasses target housing placements and related indicators.
• In emergencies, Essential Employees report to work as scheduled.
• Duties and responsibilities subject to change based on company needs.

Skills

Social Services

Homeless population

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Cultural sensitivity

Regulatory compliance

Property management knowledge

CARES system

Tools

CARES system

Job description

Reports To: Director of Social Services/Housing Specialist Supervisor

Department: Social Services Employment Status: Full-Time

1 position in Corona

3 positions in Long Island City

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

The Housing Specialist will be responsible for assessing clients’ eligibility and determining their housing and service needs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Secures permanent housing for clients from a wide range of sources, including government agencies, private landlords, and brokers
• Assists clients with the search for available properties and negotiates terms on behalf of clients
• Ensures client's understanding of their rights and responsibilities as tenants
• Provides clients with information and refers them to additional support programs or services
• Prepares and maintains daily logs, records, and reports
• Counsels and assists clients in completing all necessary paperwork, including lease signings
• Partner with Case Managers to prepare clients for landlord/broker interviews
• Assists and counsels clients in regards to keeping their appointments
• Ensures that new apartments are client-ready (e.g. utilities turned on, furniture deliveered)
• Maintains accurate records on client compliance via appointments and interviews
• Must meet or surpass target goals set for permanent housing placements and related indicators
• In the event of an emergency, Essential Employees are required to report to work as scheduled
• Duties and responsibilities are subject to change based upon assessment of company needs

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 2 years experience working within the Social Services Field
• Experience with the Homeless population
• Experience with the CARES system
• Must be diligent and organized
• Must be able to effectively communicate (verbally and in writing)
• Must be sensitive to different cultures and socioeconomic conditions
• Knowledge of regulatory standards and property management