Housing Specialist Transitional Services

Title: Housing Specialist - Transitional Services

Unit: Housing Transitional Services Unit

Salary Range: $32.97 to $35.72 (approximately $60,000 to 65,000 annually)

Status: Full Time; Regular; Non-Exempt

Location: Wales Avenue, Bronx, NY 10455

Days/Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm

Position Summary:

The Housing Specialist will assist justice-involved clients in securing permanent housing by conducting screenings and assessments to support their successful stabilization in the community.

Mission and Fit

The candidate must have a history of working with a population who have been diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) and co-occurring disorders. In addition, the person must be able interact and work with a persons impacted by the legal system and have a history of homelessness. Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Complete supportive housing applications in the Coordinated Assessment Placement System (CAPS)
• Create individualized treatment plans for each client. Document all client services, including successful and unsuccessful outreach attempts
• Assess clients need for temporary rental subsidy and furniture/moving allowance
• Liaison with Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), Department of Homeless services (DHS), and Human Resources Administration (HRA) to assure clients receive entitlements in a timely manner
• Assist clients in obtaining all necessary documentation to facilitate benefits application process
• Act as liaison between client and landlord to mediate any landlord-tenant issues
• Provide ongoing counseling, supportive services needed to achieve goals stated in client treatment plan
• Schedule and accompany clients, if needed, to apartment viewings and participate in all clients move ins
• Facilitate housing readiness workshops and participate in relevant training
• Advocate for client services, especially housing and HRA rent enhancement benefits, as needed
• Search for alternative options to secure permanent housing
• Enter all client services in the agency’s proprietary database, as well as in the appropriate contract funder databases, if applicable
• Perform other duties, as assigned by the Program Director