Housing Specialist (Central Park West)

Children's Rescue Fund; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Housing Specialist at Children's Rescue Fund coordinates client case management to secure permanent housing from our Central Park West location in New York, NY. You will guide families through NYCHA processes and housing programs while building contacts with developers and service providers.

You will document progress, use CARES for intake and plans, and strive to meet placement goals. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as is a valid NY driver's license.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Associate degree in social services or related field preferred; at least a high school diploma required.
• One year of experience in social services or housing services is required.
• Valid NYS driver's license and insurable driving record required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and computer literacy (Microsoft Office).

Responsibilities

• Must understand NYC Department of Homeless Services – Client Responsibility Procedures and explain to clients.
• Ensure clients sign Permanent Housing Agreement within 10 days of arrival.
• Maintain open communication with Director of Social Services and Case Managers to resolve issues.
• Ensure clients complete and return Apartment Review and Client Apartment Rejection forms.
• Inform clients of responsibility to visit/view two apartments per week and document.
• Complete housing applications within 90 days of eligibility and file in case records.
• Use CARES system to complete intake assessments, service plans, housing, and transfers.
• Review information from DHS and other agencies in CARES.
• Keep system information updated in a timely fashion.
• Document and follow-up on housing appointments and permanent housing applications.
• Verify housing rejections and reasons for them.
• Accompany families on housing searches when appropriate.
• Provide ongoing housing education through workshops or counseling.
• Offer lists of suitable apartments for clients with Domestic Violence status as applicable.
• Meet or exceed Housing Placement Goals set by DHS.
• Review weekly DSS/APD housing placements and projections.
• Complete reports as required.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s/Associate degree in Social Work or related field

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Housing Specialist (Central Park West)

New York, NY, US

10 days ago Requisition ID: 3253

Salary Range: $40,000.00 To $48,000.00 Annually

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:

The Housing Specialist is responsible for all facets of client case management as it relates to a client's efforts to secure permanent housing. The Housing Specialist will use HPD incentives for finders’ fees to brokers and owners and develop contacts with both not-for-profit and for-profit housing developers. This role is responsible for ensuring that all clients are familiar with New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) forms and procedures, as well as the procedures for all other housing programs offered. This role is responsible for working at our Central Park location in New York, NY to enable the successful relocation of families to permanent housing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or an Associate’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or Human Services is strongly preferred, and at least a High School Diploma/GED is required
• At least one (l) year of experience in social services, counseling, crisis intervention, family services, preventive services, or housing services is required
• Valid New York State driver’s license and an insurable driving record is required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and must be computer literate in Microsoft Office

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Must fully understand the New York City Department of Homeless Services – Client Responsibility Procedures, and be able to explain it to clients during the Housing Intake
• Must ensure that all clients sign the “Permanent Housing Agreement” form within 10 days of their arrival
• Maintain open lines of communication with the Director of Social Services and Case Managers to resolve any issues that might prevent a client from securing permanent housing
• Ensure all clients are completing and returning the “Apartment Review” and/or the “Client Apartment Rejection Form”
• Inform all clients of their responsibility to “visit/view two (2)” apartments per week and support this with documentation
• Ensure all relevant housing applications are fully completed within 90 days of a family becoming eligible for shelter services, forwarded to their designated destinations on-time, and that a copy is maintained in the case record
• Utilize the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) - Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES) to complete family intake assessment, service plan/independent living plan, housing, next step conferences/transfers, incident reports, progress notes, etc.
• Utilize the DHS Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES) to review accessible information from the Human Resource Administration, Administration for Children Services, Department of Probation, Department of Homeless Services, etc.
• Utilize the DHS Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES) to ensure that all information is updated in the system in a timely fashion as required by DHS
• Document and follow-up on all housing appointments and permanent housing applications
• Verify all housing rejections, including the reason for such rejection
• Accompany a family on housing searches when appropriate
• Provide on-going housing education to clients through workshops and/or individual counseling
• If applicable, provide clients with a list of suitable available apartments in a location consistent with a client's “Domestic Violence” status, and advise clients of their responsibility for seeking additional apartments on their own
• Meet and/or exceed the Housing Placement Goals set by the New York City Department of Homeless Services
• Review the DSS/APD Housing placements and projected placements weekly
• Complete reports as required

OTHER REQUIREMENTS (including Physical Demands):

• May be required to work long hours and a varied schedule
• Traveling throughout various locations in the New York City area
• Lifting and moving objects weighing up to 30 pounds several times a week
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

EEO Statement – Children’s Rescue Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.

Tuesday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday to Monday, 9 AM to 5 PM: This shift schedule will contain one late day