Housing Specialist, Magnolia House Women’s Shelter

CAMBA Inc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to transforming lives in New York City as a Housing Specialist. In this impactful role, you will serve as a vital link between clients and essential services, helping them navigate housing challenges and achieve stability. Your expertise will empower individuals to overcome barriers and secure permanent housing, while you provide invaluable support through counseling and resource identification. This is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those in need, working in a collaborative environment that values diversity and inclusivity. If you're passionate about community service and client advocacy, this position is your chance to contribute to meaningful change.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• Client advocacy and housing search skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients in achieving housing-related goals and provide individualized counseling.
• Conduct housing search efforts and facilitate workshops.

Skills

Client Advocacy

Housing Search

Counseling

Community Resource Identification

Crisis Intervention

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

First Aid/CPR Certification

Overdose Prevention Certification

Tools

CARES Database

Job description

Who We Are: CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors, and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City. CAMBA serves more than 65,000 individuals and families each year, citywide, including almost 13,000 youth. Our 180+ programs in over 100 locations improve the lives of a diverse cross-section of New Yorkers. From homelessness prevention in Staten Island to supportive housing in the Bronx; from employment training in Manhattan to after-school programs and college access in Brooklyn; from family shelter and support in Queens to increasing affordable housing across the city, CAMBA provides holistic services to help struggling New Yorkers stabilize their lives and become self-sufficient.

CAMBA operates 6 single adult shelters and 6 family shelters and one drop-in center. Each shelter offers clients a supportive, structured therapeutic, safe, and drug-free facility. Homeless (often mentally-ill and substance-abusing) men and women are provided with comprehensive services to stabilize their condition in order to successfully transition into permanent and/or supported housing.

CAMBA’s Magnolia House located in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn serves 200 single women at any given time. The majority of these clients are diagnosed with mental illness, some dually with chemical addictions.

Position: Housing Specialist

Reports To: Clinical Supervisor

What The Housing Specialist Does:

1. Serve as a liaison with outside organizations regarding such matters as education, healthcare, housing, social services, legal issues, etc.
2. Assist clients in attaining their housing-related goals by identifying and referring clients to appropriate services both within and outside CAMBA.
3. Conduct housing search efforts for each housing-ready client referred (i.e., referrals to housing providers, contact landlords, search for apartment listings, etc.).
4. Develop curriculum to address clients’ housing and independent living-related needs including the permanent housing search process and options.
5. Develop and facilitate a series of housing workshops.
6. Develop materials to be posted on a bulletin board that serves to provide relevant housing-related information.
7. Provide individualized counseling on housing-related topics.
8. Organize and schedule presentations by supportive housing programs, local real estate experts, and/or landlords.
9. Provide housing-related support, training, and coordination with the other social services staff.
10. Establish linkages with community-based organizations (i.e., supportive housing programs, DHS Housing Unit, etc.) and local landlords.
11. Review all approved housing packages to determine the appropriateness of housing providers.
12. Escort clients to appointments (i.e., housing interviews, apartment move-ins, housing fairs, etc.).
13. Ensure that quality housing placements are achieved via website checks (DOB, HPD) and all payments to landlord/utilities are up-to-date with the apartment in move-in condition.
14. Follow up with clients for a period of time after move-out to assure client stability.
15. Conduct initial intake and assessment of clients’ needs and periodic re-assessments.
16. Create and maintain client electronic and paper files.
17. Prepare initial psychosocial evaluation and update according to regulations.
18. Obtain and maintain relevant documentation and release forms from clients (i.e., birth certificate, proof of income, medical documents, release of Personal Health Information, etc.).
19. In collaboration with clients, conduct periodic revisions of independent living plans including short-term and long-term client goals.
20. Assist clients in attaining their goals by identifying community resources and by referring clients to appropriate services both within and outside CAMBA (i.e., on-site medical services and psychiatric services, etc.).
21. Work with clients to break through barriers to their goal(s) attainment.
22. Assist clients in advocating for themselves in order to gain housing stability.
23. Recommend and implement strategies to persuade clients to participate fully in the process in order to transition into permanent housing.
24. Monitor clients’ progress toward their goals via regularly scheduled face-to-face contacts/sessions.
25. Document all client encounters via progress notes using DHS CARES Database and print out notes for the client’s paper file.
26. Ensure CARES Database is updated to reflect client requests for services (i.e., car fare, appointments, passes, referrals, etc.).
27. Follow up with clients and with referral organizations regarding client contact and progress with referral organizations.
28. Provide all required information for weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual reports.
29. May act as client liaison/client advocate with outside organizations regarding such matters as education, healthcare, housing, legal issues, etc.
30. May schedule appointments for clients with referral organizations.
31. May assist clients in completing applications for benefits and entitlements and may process applications on clients’ behalf.
32. May prepare marketing materials for the program.

Minimum Education/Experience Required:

1. Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience.
2. May be required to become First Aid/CPR certified.
3. May be required to become certified in overdose prevention.

Compensation: $45,500-$48,500 annually
When salary ranges are listed, the range would represent the low and high end for the applicable position & program. The salary offered would be based on various factors unique to each program and candidate. This includes but is not limited to experience, education, budget and/or program size, internal equity, skills, and other factors that may be required for the position and organization.

Status: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Benefits: CAMBA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and paid holidays.

CAMBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace. People of color, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, marital or veteran status, pregnancy status, or sexual orientation.

Help New Yorkers in need transform their lives

Each year, CAMBA reaches more than 73,000 individuals and families, including almost 13,000 youth. Without your support, we cannot continue to create and deliver our programs.