Housing Specialist

Abode Services; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Onsite work

PTO: 19 days/year

Paid holidays

Health/dental/vision coverage

403(b) retirement plan

EAP

FSA

Flexible spending accounts

Voluntary benefits

Job summary

Abode Services is seeking a Housing Specialist in San Mateo County to locate housing, work with landlords, and coordinate with service providers to help homeless individuals and families secure and maintain housing.

You will support move-in readiness, review lease terms, and assist with Housing Assistance Payment contracts while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This role emphasizes collaboration, local market knowledge, and strong customer service.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
• 1 year of experience in housing, social services, or related field.
• Valid California driver's license, auto insurance, and clean DMV record.
• Flexible schedule including evenings and weekends when needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide housing placement and assistance aligned with participants' goals.
• Search for and place housing units; network with landlords and housing providers.
• Assist with lease approvals and Housing Assistance Payment contracts.
• Prepare and distribute subsidy payments to landlords; manage move-in logistics.
• Attend case conferences and support participants’ housing readiness and progress.

Skills

Verbal & written communication

Analytical & problem solving

Independent work

Emotional intelligence

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Abode Services, one of the largest and effective nonprofits working to end homelessness in the Bay Area, is seeking a Housing Specialist for our program in San Mateo County.

About Abode:

AtAbode, we believe everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home. Our mission is to solve homelessnessthrough housing and supportive services that help individuals and families achieve stability and independence. Grounded in theHousing First model, we meet people where they are and provide individualized support based on their needs, goals, and strengths. When you join Abode, you’re not just taking a job, you’re becoming part of a team creating meaningful change in our communities and a commitment to lasting housing stability.

Our Values:

We start with dignity, take smart risks, be transparent, solve for today and tomorrow, and spark each other’s strengthsin everything we do!

The Diverse Culture:

We believe that we make better decisions and provide quality services when our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate. People of color make up nearly 70% of our workforce and we strive to recruit and retain employees from all backgrounds.

About The Role: The Housing Specialist is responsible for locating housing units, working closely with landlords, collaborating with service providers, and providing general housing support to ensure that homeless individuals and/or families can secure and maintain housing.

How You Make An Impact :

• Provide housing placement and assistance for participants, focusing on the household’s needs and goals.
• Housing search and placement of appropriate units for potential participants.
• Network with landlords, renter’s associations, property management businesses and county wide permanent housing providers.
• Assist with the approval of all leases and help execute Housing Assistance Payment contracts with landlords.
• Prepare and ensure the accurate distribution ofsubsidy payments to landlords as needed.
• Provide move-in support for program teams, including perform or arrange for Housing Quality Inspections (HQI’s) prior to move-in,negotiate lease start date, review /approval of lease terms, coordinate housewarming furniture move, get documentation from landlord for check request, prepare move in documentation, upload housing documentation to Welcome Mat housing database.
• Provide notices of contract renewals and rental adjustments.
• Participate as a member of the service team by attending case conference meetings, assisting service staff in evaluation of participant’s housing readiness, reducing housing barriers and status of unit availability.
• Maintain contact with participants, monitor progress, report, and refer to team members as necessary after housing is secured.
• Provide aid and expertise to landlords or service staff for conflict resolution and problem solving.
• Ensure that all regulatory agreements, contracts, and fair housing laws are met as they relate to housing.
• Attending staff meetings and other agency functions as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

How You Meet Qualifications::

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
• 1 year of experience working in the housing field, social services, or sales/customer service experience and knowledge of the local housing markets and geography.
• Use of personal vehicle and proof of valid California Driver's License and current auto insurance, along with a clean DMV record, is required.
• Flexible schedule to work evening and weekend hours when required.

COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent verbal & written communication, organizational, and time management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively with teams.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, systems, and platforms.
• Ability to learn and use required mobile devices and business-related applications.
• Outstanding communication skills and high degree of emotional intelligence, cultural humility, with a proven track record to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of internal and external contacts.

Our Benefits and Perks:

• Competitive Pay: $28.85 - $31.74
• Classification: Full Time/Non-Exempt
• Work Arrangement: Onsite position; Monday - Friday 8 hours, start 8am-4pm or 9am-5pm
• PTO:19 days per year, increasing with tenure
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year
• 100% medical, dental and vision coverage options for employees
• Agency dependent health care contribution
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Retirement Plan: 403(b)Plan w/ Employer Match & Contribution Programs
• Voluntary Benefits:
  • Commuter Assistance
  • Life Insurance
  • Legal Services
• Mission Driven Culture: Join a team that's passionate about making a meaningful impact in the fight to end homelessness.

Notice: This description is to be used as a guide only. It does not constitute a contract, commitment or promise of any kind. Abode Services reserves the right to change, add, delete, upgrade, or downgrade the position as dictated by business necessity at any time with or without notice.

Notice: Abode Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace

Qualifications

Education

Preferred

High School or better in Other.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.