Senior Housing Specialist

Breaking Ground; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Breaking Ground is seeking a Senior Housing Specialist to lead housing placements for clients experiencing homelessness. The role involves overseeing the housing process, ensuring program compliance, and coordinating with various stakeholders to secure permanent housing solutions. Ideal candidates will have a background in social work, significant experience with vulnerable populations, and strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Oversee housing placement process and prepare clients for permanent housing.
• Coordinate alternative housing opportunities and ensure program targets are met.
• Communicate with case management and maintain housing records.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving skills

Motivational interviewing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

AWARDS/Foothold

CARES

Job description

Posted Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 4:00 AM

ABOUT US: We believe 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, city contracted outreach teams, and partner agencies to prepare clients for permanent housing. The Senior Housing Specialist is responsible for ensuring program targets are met by coordinating and expediting the housing placement process, assisting residents in achieving housing readiness, establishing eligibility profiles, and matching clients with suitable permanent housing opportunities. In coordination with the Assistant Program Director and the case management team, the Senior Housing Specialist identifies appropriate housing options based on clients' needs and helps secure the most suitable options.

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
• Develop a directory and coordinate alternative housing opportunities including scatter site, market rate apartments, nursing homes, and mental health housing
• Help prepare clients for the housing process through mock interviews, group sessions, escorting to housing interviews, communicating with housing providers, and tracking progress towards housing readiness
• Communicate clearly with case management staff regarding interviews, applications, and follow-ups with housing providers
• Liaise with DHS to ensure fair treatment of residents during application review, refer clients to housing, and seek out new housing opportunities
• Maintain records on interview results and housing placements; recommend process improvements
• Match and place clients in housing appropriate to their needs
• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field preferred
• Experience with 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 programs preferred
• Experience working with homeless/formerly homeless populations, adults with substance abuse/dual diagnosis required
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
• Preferred experience with HRA 2010e, databases, AWARDS/Foothold, CARES