HOUSING STABILIZATION SPECIALIST - Anchorage

RurAL CAP; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 30,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision

401K/Pension Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

RurAL CAP in Anchorage is seeking a Housing Stabilization Specialist to provide direct housing retention and stabilization services to individuals and families facing homelessness. The role builds participant capacity through individualized stabilization planning, practical coaching, and community integration within a Housing First framework.

You will collaborate with Case Managers, Housing Navigators, behavioral health staff, and property staff to ensure stabilization services complement

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent in a related field with 2+ years of housing/homelessness experience.
• Experience providing direct support, coaching, life-skills instruction, or community-based services.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct housing stabilization services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
• Develop individualized Housing Stabilization Plans based on participant needs and goals.
• Provide tenancy education and coaching related to leases, rent, landlord communication, and maintenance.
• Conduct home visits and community-based stabilization services to assess needs and progress.
• Coordinate with Case Managers, Housing Navigators, and housing staff to align with participant plans.

Skills

Housing stabilization

IADLs coaching

Tenant coaching

Budgeting skills

Education

Associate’s Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Behavioral Health, or related field

Job description

Full details of the job.

Vacancy Name

Vacancy Name HOUSING STABILIZATION SPECIALIST - Anchorage

Vacancy No

Vacancy No VN939

Employment Type

Employment Type Full Time Non-Exempt

Location

Location 325 E 3rd

Salary Range

Salary Range 26.52

Salary Period

Salary Period Hourly

Benefits Full time-eligible to participate in the benefit programs on the first day of the month after your 60th day of employment, including but not limited to:
Medical, Dental & Vision
Life & Supplemental Insurance
401K/Pension Plan
Flexible Spending Account/Health & Dependent Care
Health Savings Account
Employee Assistance Program
20 days (160 hours) of accrued Paid Time Off
12 Established paid holidays
Monthly Wellness Reimbursement

JOB SUMMARY:

The Housing Stabilization Specialist provides direct housing retention, independent living skills development, and stabilization support services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Working within RurAL CAP’s Housing Stabilization Continuum, this position develops participant capacity to successfully obtain, maintain, and thrive in housing through individualized stabilization planning, practical coaching, tenancy education, independent living skills development, family stabilization, and community integration. Unlike traditional case management positions that primarily coordinate services, resources, and referrals, the Housing Stabilization Specialist provides hands-on interventions designed to strengthen participant independence, improve housing retention, reduce adverse program exits, and prevent future episodes of homelessness. The Housing Stabilization Specialist works collaboratively with Case Managers, Housing Navigators, behavioral health staff, property and housing staff, and community partners to ensure stabilization services complement broader participant service plans and address practical barriers to long‑term housing stability. Services are provided using Housing First, trauma‑informed, harm‑reduction, strengths‑based, and participant‑centered approaches.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The Housing Stabilization Specialist provides practical, participant‑centered interventions designed to build the skills, routines, resources, and natural supports necessary for long‑term housing stability. Services emphasize doing with participants rather than doing for participants, with the goal of increasing participant capacity, confidence, and independence over time. Housing stabilization services complement—but do not replace—case management, housing navigation, behavioral health treatment, property management, or other specialized services. The Housing Stabilization Specialist works collaboratively with these functions while maintaining a distinct focus on practical skill development, housing retention, and participant stabilization. Services should be individualized according to participant strengths, needs, goals, housing circumstances, and level of support required to achieve and maintain stability.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

HOUSING STABILIZATION & TENANCY SUPPORT

• Provides direct housing stabilization services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or barriers to maintaining successful tenancy.
• Develops and implements individualized Housing Stabilization Plans based on participant needs, strengths, identified barriers, and participant‑defined goals.
• Provides practical coaching and skill development designed to strengthen participants’ ability to obtain, maintain, and successfully manage housing.
• Provides tenancy education and coaching related to:
  • Lease requirements and compliance
  • Rent responsibilities
  • Landlord and property management communication
  • Household responsibilities
  • Neighbor relations
  • Conflict resolution
  • Housing maintenance and care
  • Identification and resolution of tenancy concerns
• Conducts home visits and community‑based stabilization services to assess needs, monitor progress, reinforce skills, and provide real‑time coaching and support.
• Identifies emerging barriers or behaviors that may place housing stability at risk and works collaboratively with participants and appropriate members of the service team to develop preventative interventions.
• Supports participants through housing transitions and other periods of increased vulnerability to promote continuity and reduce risk of housing loss.

INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS & SELF‑SUFFICIENCY

• Provides individualized coaching, instruction, modeling, and practical assistance related to Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), including:
  • Budgeting and money management
  • Rent planning and payment management
  • Banking skills
  • Grocery shopping
  • Meal planning and preparation
  • Household organization
  • Cleaning and sanitation
  • Transportation planning
  • Time management
  • Appointment management
  • Medication organization
  • Community resource navigation
• Assists participants in developing sustainable daily and weekly routines that support housing stability, health, personal responsibility, and independence.
• Uses practical skill‑building activities to increase participant confidence and capacity to independently manage household and tenancy responsibilities.
• Supports participants in identifying and obtaining household goods, furnishings, transportation resources, and other practical resources necessary for successful tenancy.
• Assists participants in identifying barriers to independent living and developing realistic strategies for addressing those barriers.
• Adjusts the intensity and type of stabilization support as participant skills and independence increase.

FAMILY, EMPLOYMENT & COMMUNITY STABILIZATION

• Assists families in developing household routines that support safety, structure, stability, and successful tenancy.
• Supports development of family communication, problem‑solving, and conflict‑resolution strategies.
• Assists caregivers in strengthening engagement with schools, childcare providers, healthcare systems, and other community supports.
• Provides coaching related to family goal setting and household stabilization planning.
• Supports participants with employment readiness activities, including:
  • Resume development
  • Interview preparation
  • Job search strategies
  • Workplace readiness
• Supports participants in identifying and accessing educational, vocational, workforce development, and skill‑building opportunities.
• Encourages meaningful community engagement and assists participants in developing positive social and natural support networks.
• Connects participants with volunteer opportunities, recreational activities, community events, and other opportunities that promote belonging and community integration.
• Supports participants in reducing social isolation and developing sustainable community connections that contribute to long‑term stability.

ASSESSMENT, SERVICE PLANNING & STABILIZATION OUTCOMES

• Utilizes Housing Stability Assessments, Stabilization Indicators, and other approved tools to identify participant strengths, barriers, service needs, and emerging risks to housing retention.
• Uses assessment findings collaboratively with participants and the service team to establish individualized stabilization goals and interventions.
• Develops and updates Housing Stabilization Plans that identify participant goals, interventions, responsibilities, and measurable indicators of progress.
• Tracks participant progress across relevant stabilization domains, including:
  • Housing retention
  • Income and employment
  • Financial stability
  • Independent living skills
  • Family functioning
  • Community integration
  • Behavioral health engagement
• Conducts periodic reassessments to evaluate progress, identify changing needs or risks, and adjust stabilization interventions accordingly.
• Documents services, participant progress, identified barriers, and stabilization outcomes accurately and within required timelines.
• Enters required participant information into agency databases and reporting systems.
• Supports collection of stabilization outcome information used to evaluate program effectiveness and inform continuous quality improvement efforts.
• Participates in evaluation of stabilization approaches and identifies opportunities to improve interventions based on participant outcomes and emerging needs.

CARE COORDINATION & COLLABORATIVE SERVICE DELIVERY

• Coordinates closely with Case Managers, Housing Navigators, behavioral health staff, Program Managers, healthcare providers, landlords/property management, educational systems, workforce partners, and other community providers involved in participant stabilization.
• Participates in multidisciplinary staffing meetings, case consultations, and service planning activities.
• Communicates identified stabilization needs, emerging risks, participant progress, and significant changes to appropriate members of the participant’s service team.
• Supports coordinated service planning designed to reduce duplication, address service gaps, and clarify responsibilities among members of the participant’s care team.
• Facilitates warm handoffs to appropriate internal or external services when participant needs fall outside the scope of the Housing Stabilization Specialist role.
• Works collaboratively with property and housing staff to address tenancy concerns while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality, and participant‑centered practice.
• Supports continuity of services when participants transition between Housing Services programs or levels of support.
• Maintains participant confidentiality and complies with all applicable agency, state, federal, and HIPAA requirements.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participates in staff meetings, trainings, case consultations, and professional development activities as required.
• Maintains knowledge of community resources and services relevant to participant stabilization.
• Supports development and refinement of stabilization tools, educational materials, groups, and skill‑building resources.
• Maintains professional boundaries and provides services consistent with agency policies, ethical standards, and participant rights.
• Promotes a culture of dignity, participant choice, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Program Manager.

WORK ACTIVITIES

• Provides participant services in residential, community, office, and other appropriate settings.
• Conducts home visits and observes participant needs and environmental factors affecting housing stability.
• Develops individualized stabilization plans and provides practical coaching and instruction based on identified needs.
• Documents participant contacts, interventions, progress, and outcomes in agency systems.
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with multidisciplinary service teams and community partners.
• Uses agency databases, electronic records, assessment tools, and other technology required for participant services and program documentation.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to handle and deescalate intoxicated, aggressive, and hostile clients calmly and proficiently.
• Communicates and establish a good rapport with people of diverse cultures and belief systems.
• Ability to work independently in a residential and community based setting.
• Ability to embrace a harm reduction model and have a basic understanding of addiction and mental health issues.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and follow established policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Must demonstrate sound judgment, professional boundaries, ethics, and ability to maintain confidentiality.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/JOB CONDITIONS:

• Agency is a mandated tobacco, drug and alcohol free workplace.
• General office environment, possible shared office space.
• Develops and maintains constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.
• Communicates with others outside the organization, representing the organization to clients, the public, and other external sources in person, in writing, or by telephone or e‑mail in keeping with current policies & procedures.
• Ability to endure work fluctuation, deadlines, and interruptions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly to grasp, type, see, talk, hear, and lift and carry 50 pounds of weight by utilizing proper lifting techniques and working in a safe manner. This position will also be performing physical activities such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, bending, and handling materials.
• Regularly performs sedentary activities that require sitting for long periods and repetitive use of hands, wrists and arms for handling, positioning, moving materials, and manipulating things.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

This is a full‑time, non‑exempt position. Work schedules are established based on program and participant needs. Some evening, weekend, or non‑traditional hours may be required to provide effective community‑based stabilization services.

TRAVEL:

Regular local travel is expected for home visits, participant transportation, community‑based services, and coordination with partner organizations. Occasional out‑of‑area travel may be required based on program needs.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Associate’s Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Behavioral Health, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience working with individuals or families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, behavioral health challenges, disabilities, substance use disorders, or other significant barriers to stability.
• Experience providing direct support, coaching, life‑skills instruction, community‑based services, or similar participant‑centered interventions preferred.
• Must successfully complete all required state and federal background checks.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle.
• Ability to transport participants when required by program policies.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in supportive housing, transitional housing, homelessness response, behavioral health, recovery services, or family support programs.
• Experience conducting home visits and providing community‑based services.
• Experience utilizing HMIS, AKHMIS, Apricot, or other case documentation or participant information systems.
• Experience facilitating life‑skills groups, educational workshops, or coaching‑based interventions.
• Experience supporting individuals or families with development of independent living, tenancy, employment, or community‑integration skills.

BENEFITS:

• Medical, Dental & Vision
• Life & Supplemental Insurance
• 401K/Pension Plan
• Flexible Spending Account/Health & Dependent Care
• Health Savings Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• 20 days (160 hours) of accrued Paid Time Off
• 12 Established paid holidays
• Monthly Wellness Reimbursement