About the Role
The Housing Specialist provides assistance and support to achieve permanent housing placement for all clients. He/she also provides and documents clinical case management services for assigned clients according to the requirements of Urban Pathways and all regulatory and funding agencies.
Responsibilities
- Assesses clients' needs and develops and implements service plans for appropriate housing placement and support including, but not limited to: supportive housing, independent housing, family reunification, Federal, State, and City housing subsidies, skills, and referrals.
- Advocates on behalf of clients to facilitate client needs.
- Conducts regularly scheduled housing meetings with clients and staff to ensure housing packages are updated and to explore housing options.
- Ensures timely preparation and delivery of housing packages for housing providers and coordinates housing interviews.
- Prepares clients for the housing interviewing process and assists clients to obtain required entitlements and identification.
- Collaborates with housing providers and DHS/OMH on appropriate housing placements for clients.
- Assists clients to ensure a smooth transition from shelter into the community and provides appropriate community resources.
- Serves as liaison with community to build and enhance housing network.
- Prepares and submits monthly housing reports and all necessary documents and reports as required by Urban Pathways, regulatory and funding agency policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Attends staff meetings, trainings, and supervisory sessions, as required.
- Performs all other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Master’s degree in social work or other related field preferred.
- Minimum of two years of clinical individual or group counseling experience preferred.
- Experience with NYC housing subsidies and programs required.
- Experience with homeless, mentally-ill and substance abuse population preferred.
Skills
- Strong computer skills
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft office (e.g. Word, Outlook, Excel, etc.)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Foreign languages a plus.
Experience Level
- Minimum of two years of clinical individual or group counseling experience preferred.
Education Level
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Master’s degree in social work or other related field preferred.
