Housing Resource Specialist

TITLE: Housing Resource Specialist  
 

PROGRAM: Adult Housing Services
 

JOB SUMMARY: Under the supervision of Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center Director of Housing Services, the Housing Resource Specialist (HRS) is part of a multi-agency team approach in providing support and housing services. The HRS is to be actively engaged and involved in outreach to individuals and/or families who experience mental health challenges and/or may be at risk of losing their housing, needing housing support and/or are homeless in Winona County.  

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Manage incoming applications, conduct initial screenings, and present qualified candidates to housing department partners to assess suitability for the housing program. 

• Respond to phone inquiries and schedule appointments to assist individuals with completing housing applications and accessing additional resources as needed.  

• Assist applicants in collecting and organizing the necessary documents to qualify for Housing Support funds.  

• Collaborate with local agencies and internal staff to facilitate referrals, helping individuals identify suitable housing opportunities and connect with mental health services and supports.  

• Create ITP for new clients when a Housing ARMHS waitlist exists. HRS may carry a small caseload.  

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with local landlords and property managers to expand housing opportunities and ensure stable placements for clients 

• Deliver training to clients on various housing options, budgeting, household maintenance, and other essential skills as identified.  

• Provides an understanding of tenant and landlord rights or connects people to legal and professional resources as needed. 

• Be a part of the local, state, and national plans to end homelessness. 

• Collaborate effectively with the agency team and partners from SEMMCHRA, WINONA HRA and the Local Homelessness Response Team, and other housing related initiatives.  

• Develop client centered plans for housing retention when necessary.  

• Provide technical assistance to human services staff on how to gain access to affordable housing resources and support services for individuals with disabilities and/or low income.  

• Complete Housing Support, MN LTH, Chronic HUD homeless and other necessary documentation on applicants where needed. 

• Complete HMIS training and maintain yearly licensing requirements. 

• Enter data, generate reports, and learn to utilize HMIS as  for reporting and documentation of individual served under the HUD and MHFA contracts.  

• Attend and participate in area housing meetings as scheduled. 

• Meet with clients in an efficient and timely manner maintaining good boundaries and ethics, following the policies and procedures of Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center. 

• Assist Individuals as needed during their transition into permanent housing. Such assistance may include accessing rental assistance money, donated furnishings, coordinating with volunteer movers, coordinating transportation, and accessing the storage units. 

• Conduct basic life skills workshops at the direction of the Director of Housing Services. 

• Function as a contributing member of a multidisciplinary team at HVMHC. 

• Ensure all documentation for county and contracted billable hours is completed on time.  

• Attend and participate in necessary meetings regarding client concerns, goals and budgets as well as any other pertinent information with the housing services team on a regular basis.  

• Participate in Housing Services weekend emergency on-call rotation as assigned. 
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR POSITION: Must be able to move in a manner conducive to the execution of daily activities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must communicate with others and exchange information. The employee regularly operates equipment (listed below) daily. Occasional bending and lifting of office materials may be .  

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  Perform other duties as assigned by Adult Housing Services Program Director. 

EQUIPMENT USED: Computer, telephone/cell phone, office equipment, vehicle
 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must meet minimum qualifications as outlined in MN Statute 245i.04: Sec. 245I.04 MN Statutes
   

• Bachelor’s degree in social services (preferred)  

• Behavioral Health Field experience (preferred) 

• Case Management experience: 1 year (preferred) 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center is committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment free from harassment, violence and discrimination. Our inclusive work environment represents many different backgrounds, cultures and viewpoints. The core values we live by include integrity, respect, people focused, community focused, continuous improvement, compassion, partnership and collaboration, empowerment and financial stewardship. All Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center owned facilities are smoke/drug free environments, with some exposure to excessive noise, dust and temperature. The employee is occasionally exposed to a variety of conditions at client sites.
 

SUPERVISED BY:  Adult Housing Services Program Director 

SUPERVISES: None 
 

POSITION DESIGNATION: Full-time, Non Exempt