Housing Search Specialist

Summary/Objective

Responsible for locating and securing housing opportunities for the Love Lane shelter participants. Using a strength and assets approach, the Housing Search Worker will develop and implement strategies to chart a path toward housing. The Housing Search Worker will network and maintain positive working relationships with landlords, property management companies, and local housing authorities. As with all shelter staff the Housing Search Worker is responsible for the development of trusting, supportive and respectful relationships with clients and maintaining a safe and secure environment

Essential Functions

• 
  Engage with participants to develop a shelter exit


• 
  Work with participant to review past credit, including obtaining a credit report and creating a plan to pay past debt if possible.


• 
  Using the HCEC Housing Search Guide, review housing plan and income/budget as it relates to


• 
  Communicate with families and Case Manager to understand the family's housing priorities, including but not limited to unit location, size, and rents, as well as other information that may be helpful to establish a positive


• 
  Recruit and maintain strong relationships with landlords including educating potential landlords on rental assistance and voucher programs.


• 
  Maintain a centralized landlord data base and share all housing leads with other Housing Search Worker. Identify market rate and subsidized housing units. Bring participants to view units both in the community they are sheltered and other Transport participants as needed for all housing related appointments.


• 
  Assist families in applying for market rate rentals, short- and long-term subsidies such as; HomeBase, mobile and project-based


• 
  Ensure that participant is keeping applications up to date and organized by reviewing housing binder at least once a month.


• 
  Document Housing Search Worker efforts and meetings by utilizing the EA case notes in


• 
  Address with participants issues of past tenancies and establish plan for avoiding missteps in the future, i.e., history of non-payment of rent or utilities.


• 
  Provide the participant with tenancy skills, development of references and other services necessary to assist the participant in obtaining and maintain housing.


• 
  Develop and implement strategies for families to present themselves successfully to potential landlords. Including education of how to engage with landlords, unit viewing skills, and lease rights and expectations.


• 
  Facilitate developing long range self-sufficiency plans that includes maintaining stable housing. Keep Case Manager informed of any participant issue or needs.

Additional Duties

• 
  Call case conferences as needed and include all necessary


• 
  Assist other team members as needed or as directed by the


• 
  Other duties as assigned by Programs Director or to help meet program

• 
  Participate in training required by Housing Assistance Corp or


• 
  Attend staff meetings as


• 
  Comply with all reporting requirements of the shelter funding source, including maintaining accurate case

Required Qualifications, Education, and Experience

• 
  HS Diploma or equivalency


• 
  2 years experience working with homeless or low income families


• 
  Experience working with clients in crisis


• 
  Strong ability to effectively resolve and cope with immediate crisis situations


• 
  Detail oriented with strong organizational and time management skills


• 
  Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team


• 
  Able to set and observe appropriate boundaries with clients


• 
  Possess well developed decision making skills


• 
  Ability to multi-task and remain calm in demanding and unpredictable situations


• 
  Computer skills including MS Word and Microsoft Outlook


• 
  Valid MA Driver's license

Preferred Qualifications, Education, and Experience

• 
  Bachelor's degree in Human Service or Social Science field


• 
  5+ years experience working with homeless or low income families


• 
  Knowledge of community resources


• 
  Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people


• 
  Bilingual

Physical and Mental Job Requirements

• 
  Use of and/or subject to:
  
  
  
  • 
    Vehicle
  
  
  • 
    Computers/monitors
  
  
  
  


• 
  Physical requirements:
  
  
  
  • 
    Occasional lifting/carrying up to 251bs
  
  
  • 
    Occasional pushing up to 75 lbs
  
  
  • 
    Occasional pulling up to 75 lbs
  
  
  • 
    Occasional bending
  
  
  • 
    Occasional squatting
  
  
  • 
    Occasional kneeling
  
  
  • 
    Occasional reaching
  
  
  • 
    Frequent standing
  
  
  • 
    Frequent sitting
  
  
  • 
    Frequent walking
  
  
  • 
    Constant handwriting and typing
  
  
  • 
    Constant visual perception
  
  
  • 
    Frequent visual inspection
  
  
  • 
    Frequent color distinction
  
  
  • 
    Constant hearing
  
  
  • 
    Constant speaking
  
  
  • 
    Occasional smelling
  
  
  
  


• 
  Mental requirements:
  
  
  
  • 
    Understand and apply routine verbal and/or written instructions
  
  
  • 
    Understand and apply non-routine verbal and/or written instructions
  
  
  • 
    Understand complex problems and collaborate to explore alternative solutions
  
  
  • 
    Organize actions to complete sequential and/or routine tasks
  
  
  • 
    Organize and prioritize individual work schedule to manage multiple tasks and/or projects
  
  
  • 
    Organize and prioritize the work schedules of others to manage multiple tasks and/or projects
  
  
  • 
    Make decisions that have an impact on the individual's work
  
  
  • 
    Make decisions that have an impact on the immediate work unit's operations and/or services
  
  
  • 
    Make decisions that have significant impact on a department's credibility, operations, and/or services
  
  
  • 
    Make decisions that have an impact on the health and wellbeing of clients
  
  
  
  

• 
  Communicate and exchange routine/basic information


• 
  Communicate and explain a variety of information


• 
  Communicate in-depth information for the purpose of interpreting, and/or negotiating


• 
  Memorization/concentration


• 
  Learning/knowledge retention


• 
  Preparing/analyzing numerical figures


• 
  Emotional/behavioral self regulation


• 
  Interacting with others

Work Environment

• 
  The functions of this role are conducted in an office and field environment

Hours of Work

• 
  This role is paid on an hourly


• 
  The hours of work for this position are: Tues-Sat 9am-4pm

AAP/EEO Statement

The Housing Assistance Corporation ("HAC") is committed to a firm policy in favor of equal employment opportunity and will abide by all applicable state and federal regulations by not discriminating against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability or veteran status. Our commitment to equal employment opportunities shall include employment, upgrading, promotion, demotion, transfer, leaves or other absences from work, layoff, compensation and benefits, selection for training or other education, professional opportunities and conflict resolution.

It is also the policy of HAC to take affirmative action to employ and to advance in employment, all persons regardless of their status as woman, minority or individuals with disabilities or protected veterans, and to base all employment decisions only on valid job requirements.

Please inform us of any necessary accommodations required during the application process and/or at any time during employment.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.