Housing Specialist - Powellhurst - HS065

Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest, Inc. (NARA); Portland (OR); On-site; USD 36,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

NATIVE AMERICAN REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION OF THE NORTHWEST (NARA NW) is seeking a Housing Specialist for Powellhurst to deliver culturally relevant housing support services to individuals and families who have experienced homelessness. Services emphasize stability, health improvement, and recovery through home- and community-based care.

The role requires collaboration with Multnomah County systems, external providers, and property managers to secure housing and prevent eviction while following

Qualifications

• Experience providing housing stability services to individuals or families experiencing homelessness.
• Knowledge of Motivational Interviewing and Housing First philosophies.

Responsibilities

• Develop a client-centered individualized housing stability plan with program participants.
• Assist participants through the housing process including applying to apartments and addressing barriers to approval.
• Coordinate with providers, support systems, and property managers to support housing stability.
• Document housing-related service plans and required paperwork.

Skills

Case management

Motivational Interviewing

Housing First

Job description

Title

Housing Specialist - Powellhurst

Location

Totem Lodge (1438 SE Division Portland, OR 97202) and Powellhurst

Schedule

In-person, Monday through Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm.

Wage Range

$26.09 -$35.70, Hourly. Non-exempt

If you are a motivated and dedicated Housing Specialist looking for an opportunity to contribute to an organization making a positive impact, we want to hear from you!

At NARA Northwest, you'll find a supportive work environment where every team member is valued and respected. Whether you're passionate about healthcare, behavioral health, education, or social services, there's a place for you to make a meaningful difference.

Company Mission

The mission of NARA NW is to provide education, physical, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and anyone in need.

About The Company

At NARA NW, we provide essential services and support to Native American and Alaska Native people, empowering them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. As an organization rooted in cultural heritage and community values, we offer a unique and rewarding opportunity to make a direct positive impact in the lives of others.

We have over 400 employees in a wide range of programs and services, including medical and dental care, addiction treatment, housing assistance, and cultural enrichment programs, there are endless opportunities to grow and thrive in your career while making a difference in the lives of others.

Position Overview

The Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Specialist provides culturally relevant community and home-based housing support services to individuals and families who have experienced homelessness, and whose health, mental health, substance use history and socioeconomic issues create barriers to accessing housing. Services are focused on supporting the individual and/or family to stabilize their housing, end their experience with homelessness, and improve their health and move forward in their recovery. Duties include creating an individualized housing plan with program participants to identify needs, barriers, and resources to achieve long-term housing stability; assisting new program participants through the housing application process, addressing barriers to housing approval, developing positive relationships with collaborative partners, external providers, and property managers; being responsive to property managers as concerns arise in order to support participants in successfully maintaining their housing and preventing eviction; providing home and community based services to clients utilizing strengths-based case management while embracing the philosophies of Motivational Interviewing and Housing First. The Powellhurst Supportive Housing Specialist works independently and collaboratively with multiple NARA teams to provide community and home-based housing support services to at least twelve households who have been referred to Powellhurst Place, an affordable supportive housing project developed by Northwest Housing Alternatives. Households will be referred through Multnomah County’s coordinated access system for homeless adults, prioritizing households experiencing chronic homelessness and whose health, mental health, and socioeconomic issues are barriers to accessing housing, and who are requesting culturally specific services for Native Americans. Services are focused around supporting the household members (individuals and/or couples) to stabilize their housing, end their experience with homelessness, and improve their health and move forward in their recovery.

What You Will Do

• Develop a client-centered individualized housing stability plan with all program participants.
• Assist program participants through the housing process including identifying and applying to an apartment, addressing possible barriers to housing approval, accessing funding for move in costs and furnishings for their home, and provide ongoing retention services.
• Work in close coordination with other providers/ support systems to address the needs of clients. Includes initiating clinical consultations, assuring coordination of service planning and ongoing support services.
• Provide home and community based engagement services to clients utilizing strengths-based case management while embracing the philosophy of Motivational Interviewing and Housing First. Utilize assertive engagement techniques to meet clients where they are willing to participate and coach clients in setting goals and identifying realistic steps in order to achieve them.
• Develop positive relationships with collaborative partners, external service providers, and property managers.
• Be responsive to property managers as concerns arise in order to support participants in successfully maintaining their housing and preventing eviction. Follow up with property managers to determine outcome of any needed interventions.
• Consistently use strong clinical and professional judgment while providing services to program participants; including taking appropriate safety precautions while transporting clients and providing services to clients in the community/homes.
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of participants and property. Must be familiar with fire and building regulations and evacuation procedures.
• Provide ongoing assessment of needs and risk of harm for each individual and respond appropriately.
• Complete housing-related service plans, progress notes, discharge summaries, and other documentation as required.
• Complete program specific initial and annual paperwork with client to assist with housing stability.
• Complete appropriate documentation and processes for use of client assistance funds.
• Meet regularly with clinical supervisor for supervision and seek supervision, as needed.