Housing Specialist

Housing Specialist

ABOUT US

Founded in 1991, Hope Solutions, formerly Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, is a vibrant and socially responsive non-profit agency that provides permanent housing and vital support services to over 2,000 homeless or at-risk families and individuals in Contra Costa County. Over 40 faith-based communities support our work, although there are no religious requirements or affiliations to receive services.

What are you passionate about?

At Hope Solutions, our mission is to heal the effects of poverty and homelessness by providing permanent housing and vital support services. We envision a community where everyone has a place to call home and the opportunity to live with dignity and reach their full potential. We carry out this mission with integrity, respect, compassion, and humility.

TEAM SNAPSHOT

Our team is made up of passionate, mission-driven individuals dedicated to improving lives through housing, supportive services, and community partnerships. Together, we work to help individuals and families achieve housing stability and self-sufficiency. We're excited to welcome others who share our mission. Visit our website to learn more about our leadership team and us.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Hope Solutions seeks an energetic and dedicated Housing Specialist for the Tiny Village Spirit (TVS) program who is flexible, responsive, and committed to supporting the needs of our clients (youth aged 18-24). We are looking for compassionate, service-driven individuals who fundamentally believe in the potential of others and thrive in a collaborative, community-based environment.

The goal of VS is to provide a safe living environment and help participants build the skills needed to live independently. In collaboration with the Program Manager, the Village Coordinator, and community partners, the Housing Specialist reinforces individualized service plans designed to help youth stabilize, develop essential life skills, and make progress toward long-term housing and self-identified goals. All Case Management services are participant-driven and delivered with a strength-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approach.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

WHAT WILL YOU DO:

Client Support: 

• Maintain awareness of culturally diverse consumer populations and perform duties with attention to cultural needs.
• Maintain contact with all consumers in the caseload and provide home visits according to an identified level of need.
• Perform comprehensive psychosocial, life skills, and financial assessments.
• Working collaboratively with consumers, developing and monitoring progress on individual or family service plans, encouraging independent action, and/or providing aid as appropriate.
• Provide Case Management support, including but not limited to assistance with budgeting, accessing needed benefits and services, accompanying consumers to mental health/medical appointments, and supporting overall housing stability.
• Assure the provision of supportive mental health interventions as needed, including mental health crisis management.
• Provide linkage for medical, mental health, addiction/recovery, financial, legal, and other community services as needed, and coordinate with all persons/agencies involved in a consumer’s service plan for the duration of service delivery.
• On an as-needed basis, assist consumers to locate units with landlords/property managers willing to accept voucher payments and/or negotiate housing issues with existing landlords/property managers, supporting consumers to have quality, habitable homes.
• With consumer permission, collaborate closely with all providers involved in supporting them to overcome issues that may place them at risk for eviction, including but not limited to behavioral issues, mental health problems, or physical limitations that affect their ability to abide by lease agreements/rules of residency.
• Assist with consumer certification/verification paperwork as needed.

Cultural Responsiveness:

• Awareness of and aptitude to understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based differences within group environments appropriately and effectively.
• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice and housing justice.
• Experience fostering and reinforcing an environment that values unique experiences, cultures, personal humility, authenticity, backgrounds, and goals.
• Participate in and complete our new employee onboarding process, which includes reading and discussing a short chapter in the book, The Color of Law.

Organizational/Administrative Responsibilities: 

• Professionally represent Hope Solutions in all circumstances.
• Comply with all legal/ethical professional guidelines for maintaining consumer confidentiality, adhering to HIPAA guidelines, protecting consumer rights, advocating on consumers’ behalf, and assuring consumer safety.
• Comply with all local, state, and federal regulations and Hope Solutions policies and procedures.
• Complete required administrative paperwork and reports in a timely and accurate manner.
• Attend all required meetings, including but not limited to Hope Solutions staff meetings, team meetings, consumer case conferences, and linkage meetings with other agencies.
• Complete required personnel-related paperwork and complete expenditure reports for food supplies, petty cash expenses, and/or mileage in a timely and accurate manner.
• Document all services provided promptly.
• Assist with data generation for reports and funding applications as needed.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• On-call, after-hours, and backup work may be required.

Position Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and belief in “Housing First” philosophy and strategies.
• Passion for and demonstrated experience successfully supporting vulnerable populations, especially homeless clients with mental disabilities.  
• BA degree in social work or related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Minimum of two years’ experience in the human service field, preferably with housing retention barriers such as substance abuse, mental health, and/or income challenges.
• Knowledge or willingness to learn HUD requirements, including tenant certifications and/or experience working with HUD-funded properties. 
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Computer proficiency in the use of Microsoft and database applications.
• Must have an operational vehicle, auto insurance, a valid California driver’s license, and be willing to drive for work.
• Must pass LiveScan screening and TB test.
• Salary contingent upon skill and experience.

Physical Qualifications:

• The person in this position may make home visits to consumers who live on second or third-floor apartments (without elevators) and will need to be able to climb stairs.
• May accompany consumers on walks to local resources (grocery store, childcare, parks) up to ½ mile in distance.
• Must be able to work in a desk setting for up to 3 hours at a time to make calls to consumers, research resources on the internet, and collaborate with community providers with calls/emails.
• Office setting activities are required, such as typing on a laptop/computer to respond to emails, entering case notes into a database, and copying/faxing forms and documents on a copy machine related to maintaining or obtaining housing.
• Occasionally must be able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including furnishings for new residents, files, holiday gifts, and food donations.
• Ability to drive an automobile and transport oneself and consumers to appointments or meet at consumer homes, including driving at night.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Flexible, dynamic work environment.
• 100% premium paid for employee Kaiser health and dental care.
• Matched 403b retirement savings.
• 11 paid holidays, plus 3 floating holidays.
• Ability to accrue 2-4 weeks' vacation depending on tenure.
• Life insurance and Employee Assistance Program.

We are an equal-opportunity employer. If you're a good fit, we want to meet you! Please be advised that we are unable to provide sponsorship for this position. The nature of the work at Hope Solutions does not qualify us to support sponsorship. Only candidates authorized to work in the USA without the need for sponsorship will be considered.