Senior Housing Specialist

Breaking Ground; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization focused on supportive housing seeks a Senior Housing Specialist to oversee initiatives that help individuals transition to permanent homes. This role involves coordinating housing placements, preparing clients, and ensuring program targets are achieved. Candidates should have a background in social work or a related field and substantial experience working with individuals facing homelessness. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with housing databases are also essential for effective performance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience, preferably in a non-profit or real estate environment.
• Experience with homeless/formerly homeless populations is required.
• Knowledge of supportive housing and DHS housing programs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the Housing Specialist to coordinate housing placement.
• Helps develop a directory and coordinate alternative housing opportunities.
• Maintains quality control of housing applications.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

HRA 2010e

AWARDS/Foothold

CARES

Job description

ABOUT US: Breaking Ground believes that everyone deserves a home!

Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing — affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term — is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness.

But we didn't stop at providing housing. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness — especially those who have been on the streets the longest — to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get, and stay, on the path to a permanent home.

Senior Housing Specialist

Reporting to the Director, Programs, Transitional Housing, the Senior Housing Specialist oversees the Housing Specialist and works closely with clients, members of the city contracted outreach teams, and partner agencies to prepare clients for permanent housing. The Senior Housing Specialist is responsible for ensuring that program targets are met by working with the Housing Specialist to coordinate and expedite the housing placement process by assisting residents in achieving housing readiness, establishing eligibility profile, seeking out and matching permanent housing opportunities. In coordination with the Assistant Program Director and the case management team, the Senior Housing Specialist identifies appropriate and available housing opportunities based on the specific client’s needs and helps to secure the most suitable option.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain quality control of housing applications
• Ensure program housing placement targets are achieved
• Complete DHS Vacancy Report before 9:30 am, 7 days a week
• Help develop a directory and coordinate alternative housing opportunities including scatter site, market rate apartments, nursing home, and mental health housing
• Ensure clients are prepared for the housing process by coordinating mock interviews, groups, escort to housing interviews, communications with housing providers on specific client issues, and tracking clients’ progress towards housing readiness
• Clearly communicate with case management staff regarding upcoming interviews, sent applications, and follow up with housing providers
• Liaise with DHS to ensure fair treatment of residents during application review process, to refer clients to housing, to seek out new housing opportunities, etc.
• Maintain records on interview results and housing placements; make recommendations for process improvement
• Ensure that clients are matched and placed in housing appropriate to their needs
• Performs other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field preferred
• Substance abuse, homelessness, motivational interviewing, mental health conditions
• Minimum 5 years of experience, preferably in a non-profit or real estate environment; knowledge of supportive housing and DHS housing programs preferred
• Previous experience and working with homeless/formerly homeless populations, adults with substance abuse/dual diagnosis required
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams
• Preferred experience with HRA 2010e, databases, AWARDS/Foothold, CARES