Housing Specialist - Young Women's Shelter

Brooklyn Community Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Brooklyn Community Services is seeking a Housing Specialist for the Transitional Shelter in Sunset Park, Brooklyn to help residents secure permanent housing and build independent living skills.

You will conduct housing intake, assess needs, accompany residents to view apartments, coordinate with subsidies and housing programs, and maintain accurate case notes in CARES.

Qualifications

• Requires Associate's Degree or High School/GED with two years of homeless youth experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Maintain client and staff confidentiality.
• Computer literacy: Word, Excel, Gmail.
• Experience with CARES HMIS system required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct housing intake and assessment interviews for new residents and update living plans.
• Guide residents in locating permanent or supportive housing and manage timely applications.
• Accompany residents to view apartments and assist with moving into housing.
• Stay updated on housing subsidy programs and attend required trainings.
• Network with brokers and landlords to develop housing resources.
• Participate in team conferences to align on housing needs and status.

Skills

Multi-tasking / Prioritization

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Computer literacy

CARES HMIS experience

Education

Associate's Degree or High School/GED Diploma

Tools

CARES HMIS

Job description

Housing Specialist - Transitional Shelter

Location: 3rd Avenue, Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY

Reports to: Program Director

Hours: Full time - 35 hours per week Monday–Friday 10 am to 6pm – selected holidays

Salary Range: $47,000 - $47,000

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Program Summary: The Transitional Shelter is a 39-bed transitional shelter in Sunset Park, Brooklyn for homeless young women, ages 18 to 25. The shelter empowers women to obtain permanent housing and helps them develop the independent living skills necessary for life beyond the shelter. Residents gain access to a variety of services such as independent living skills workshops, individual and group counseling, and assistance in securing permanent housing.

Responsibilities

• Conducting the housing intake and housing assessment Interview for all new residents and completing the housing portion of the independent living plan, including making re-assessments and revisions as necessary.
• Meeting with clients regularly and guiding them in their search for permanent and/or supportive housing: determining housing needs and barriers, identifying which programs they qualify for, making referrals to specific housing options, assisting with completion of applications, and ensuring that applications are submitted on a timely basis.
• Accompanying clients to view apartments and assisting with clients' move into supportive and/or permanent housing by advocating on clients' behalf with landlords, attending lease signings, ensuring utilities are turned on, assisting with the move out, etc.
• Keeping up-to-date on changes, additions, and cancellations to the many available housing subsidy programs, attending trainings provided by DHS and other agencies on a regular basis.
• Continuously networking and reaching out to identify and develop new housing resources with brokers and landlords.
• Actively participating in regular, interdisciplinary team case conferences so that all members of the social services team are well-informed regarding status and requirements for each client and able to provide high-quality, targeted services.
• Document all interaction concerning housing
• Prepare weekly housing status and other DHS required reports as directed.
• Facilitate resident ability to view at least three apartments each week
• Ensuring that all documentation related to housing is recorded in the case management system on a timely basis and in an organized and complete manner.
• Developing and presenting housing workshops and arranging forums with outside providers to provide information on topics related to securing permanent housing as well as becoming and remaining self-sufficient.
• Transmit 2010E housing applications via the Coordinated Assessment and Placement System (CAPS).
• Reviews and updates the tracking system for submitted applications, interviews, and selections or denials. Performs follow-up to any denial of housing applications submitted to providers.
• Documents case notes in CARES database.
• Conducts weekly on-site housing workshops.
• Maintains and participates in the weekly Partners for Permanency (PFP) case management conferences.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Shelter Director.
• Assist participants with referrals and applications for housing vouchers including HUD VASH, Section 8 from HPD and NYCHA, and City vouchers through HRA such as City FHEPS.

Qualifications

Associate's Degree or, High School/GED Diploma and two (2) years of experience working with homeless young adults

• Ability to keep track of multiple priorities, complete tasks on time, meet deadlines and keep the appropriate people informed of the status.
• Have great communication skills (written and oral).
• Maintain client and staff confidentiality
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Word, Excel, Gmail, etc.)
• Experience with CARES - Collaborative Homeless Management Information System - required

BCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.