Sphh Housing Specialist - New York, United States - WOMEN'S PRISON ASSOCIATION

Description

The Women's Prison Association (WPA) is a New York City based not-for-profit that prioritizes trauma informed care to support vulnerable women and their children navigating incarceration and homelessness, providing them stability, security, support, and hope that opens the door to their limitless future.

Our mission is to support systems involved women as they navigate their journey towards freedom, safety, and independence, and we strive to create a diverse team that delivers outstanding services.

We recruit, employ, train, and promote regardless of systems involvement, race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic, or any other protected status.

Faithful to our mission, all our employees share in these commitments as a guide to engage one another with dignity and respect.

The
Housing Specialist to work in our Residential Services Unit at Sarah Powell Huntington House, a 28-unit Department of Homeless Services-funded transitional housing facility located in the East Village, Manhattan.

The
Housing Specialist will locate and secure suitable housing for the women and children residing at Huntington House and will work closely with Social Services team toward to formulate, implement, and monitor service plans in support of independent living.

• Develop a housing procurement, financial, and selfsufficiency case management plan with clients. This shall include intake interviews to determine client's needs, goals, and eligibility.
• Assist in development of and encourage adherence to a personal budget through proactive housing and budget counseling sessions; provide budget counseling and education to assist clients in establishing payments plans for bills and past debts and to assist clients in obtaining and maintaining.
• Create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e., tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors, and creditors) to link clients to quality and affordable housing.
• Inspect apartments to ensure they are following city & state standards; negotiate repairs & lease agreements.
• Assess housing barriers of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to determine housing and service needs. So that the client can be referred to all possible, appropriate, apartment sources.
• Transportation requirements should be limited to housing, and scheduling appointments for the clients to meet with brokers. Landlords, job searches and occasional visits to relevant social service agencies.
• Accompany clients to open houses/apartment viewings, interviews and/or lease signings.
• Develop and maintain a roster of appropriate available housing opportunities.
• Explain details of rental subsidy and security deposit programs to clients and potential landlords
• Organize bulletin boards and any other internal resources with relevant housing information.
• Prepare clients for housing interviews, either individually and/or through weekly housing workshops.
• Facilitate regular client workshops on housing readiness, housing search strategies, budgeting, and other relevant topics.
• Document progress towards meeting agency and Department of Homeless Services benchmarks in resident's file and in CARES database.
• Participate in case conferences, House meetings and team meetings.
• Attend required DHS meetings and training.
• Complete all appropriate monthly and annual report forms.
• Maintain a complete working file providing activity documentation and copies of all corresponding paperwork.
• Perform any other department or agency related duties or special projects as directed by supervisor.
• Assume other responsibilities as assigned.

• Associate degree required; bachelor's degree preferred; comparable work experience will be considered.
• Extensive knowledge of housing subsidies, housing resources and practices in NYC, including the private housing market, NYCHA, HPD, Section 8, NY/NY, DHS, City FHEPS and FHEPS.
• At least two years of relevant experience creating relationships with landlords, property managers, real estate brokers and government housing providers.
• Knowledge of and ability to navigate housing subsidy/rental assistance systems, including HRA 2010e.
• Experience working with homeless individual, as well as with individuals affected by mental illness, domestic violence, and substance use.
• Strong oral & written communication skills; Ability to communicate effectively 1on1 and to facilitate groups.
• Highly organized and able to effectively schedule, plan and meet internal and external deadlines.
• Ability to document work and demonstrate progress in meeting benchmark