Housing Stabilization Specialist

 Purpose:

Works in close collaboration with internal and external service providers in assessing client needs, developing and implementing service delivery to maximize independent functioning and housing stability in the community. Provides housing related services including but not limited to connecting with community resources, coordinating and monitoring services with other agencies and monitoring lease compliance.

Accountabilities:

• Ensure that all clients seen are treated with dignity and respect, and experience effective yet minimally restrictive interventions. Meet or exceed the organization’s access standards for timely service.
• Meet or exceed departmental goals and expectations.
• Ensure that each client receives the highest level and quality of services available.
• Actively research and engage in the identification of internal and external resources and benefits which may be advantageous to the clients being served. Ensure all clients are appropriately connected to resources necessary for them to accomplish their expected treatment plans and outcomes.
• Develop and maintain respectful, courteous and professional relationships with all clients and their families. Work closely with all others involved in delivery of services to ensure that client needs are being met.
• Maintain positive, effective working relationships with other staff members, volunteers, donors, vendors, and other internal resource relationships critical to the efficient and effective operation of the organization.
• Develop and expand positive working relationships with current referral sources and related external partners, and continue to seek out additional community services and benefits which may be of value to clients served. 
• Uphold and ensure all activities and conduct are compliant with internal policies, as well as all relevant laws and regulations. Model the values and the mission of the organization at all times, and act as good stewards of the organization’s resources.
• Proactively seek out and engage in professional development activities in order to remain current with best practices. 
• Demonstrate behaviors that contribute to team cohesion and result in a positive, effective work team environment. 
• Establish a trusting relationship with the client, convey hope and respect. 
• Ensure clients in permanent supportive housing sites maintain a clean, safe home through a process of regular contact, encouragement, and life-skill training.
• Work closely with clients to ensure understanding of lease obligations to promote housing retention.
• Maintain a personal presence at the permanent supportive housing sites that promotes health, safety, and client’s participation in a quality supportive housing program.
• Ensure inspections of apartments are performed weekly using an apartment inspection tool.
• Work closely with housing partners and landlords as needed to promote client’s housing stability and ensure grant requirements are fulfilled.
• Suggest other agency resources that might benefit the clients (peer support, vocational services, and outpatient services) to internal and external case management services team for referral and connection.
• Use motivational interviewing techniques to actively engage clients in services.
• Identify strengths and needs of clients and work to involve them in recovery in collaboration with the case management team.
• Work to fully integrate clients into the community.
• Work closely with families of clients to provide education and support.
• Assist clients living in supportive housing programs to facilitate of sense of “community” among clients.
• Provide individual/group psychosocial education related to the needs and interests of clients.
• Complete all required documentation thoroughly, on time and according to agency standards (weekly EMR documentation to assure care coordination with all members of client’s treatment team)
• Provides crisis prevention and intervention as needed in collaboration with the case management team.
• Collaborate with behavioral health treatment team and or all internal and external service providers assisting assigned clients.
• Support Program Manager in the collection of all required program documentation.
• Uphold confidentiality 
• Ensure compliance with landlord laws and federal regulations.

Qualifications:

Professional 

• Prior experience  working with diverse populations, specifically with adults with severe and persistent mental illness, people with substance use disorders, and people who are homeless or formerly homeless.
• Ability to establish relationships with individuals and organizations of influence within the social services community, including civic groups, charitable  agencies, related government entities, fundraising sources, etc.
• Demonstrated  interpersonal and communication skills.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in the human services field, with emphasis preferably in social work, psychology, rehabilitation or related field, or four years of equivalent experience in community mental health. 

Physical/Environmental/Other

• Valid  driver’s license, Full Coverage insurance.
• Work in an often stressful environment, including availability to respond to crisis situations at all times (nights, weekends, holidays, etc.).
• Ability to effectively use all devices, equipment, computer systems required to fulfill the essential functions of this position.
• Must meet all relevant licensing, credentialing, etc. requirements.