The Housing Specialist supports SSVF program participants in searching for appropriate permanent housing that meets their needs, preferences and desired outcomes. They adhere to a Housing First approach to supporting housing placement and retention as part of the SSVF team.  The Housing Specialist provides individualized housing counseling to all participants in the program (those in rapid re-housing and households receiving homelessness prevention who require relocation to new housing) and deliver other core housing-focused services. This staff member recruits, cultivates and maintains a network of landlords and other real estate partners to support veteran families’ access to units, and operates as a vital member of the SSVF program. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide housing counseling to program participants, including all steps from identifying an appropriate housing unit to securing the lease.
• Review/research available market rate and subsidized housing units that match a participant’s housing budget and needs.
• Evaluate options that fit rent reasonableness for each unique household.
• Negotiate rents and lease terms (when possible) with landlords.
• Appeal tenant selection decisions.
• Conduct and document housing inspections and assess units using the Habitability Standards of the SSVF program.
• Assist in the drafting and processing of Temporary Financial Assistance, providing deposits and first month’s rent.
• Support and review tenant applications and leases, supporting their signing of leases and devising move in plans with the SSVF team.
• Depending on the program participant’s experience and knowledge, deliver housing guidance and navigation which may include educating the Veteran household on such things as local housing options, standard lease requirements, fair housing laws, landlord and tenant rights and relationships, reasonable accommodations, lead paint laws, home maintenance, and efficient use of home systems such as heat.
• Work with the SSVF team to support participants to devise household budgets and plan a schedule for regular and timely rent payments.
• Optimize Veteran access to decent housing opportunities; build expertise on the availability of both affordable, private market rate units and publicly subsidized, affordable housing.
• Cultivate a network of willing local landlords and their management companies as well as carry out efforts to maintain and expand that network over time.
• Research, via CoC resources, information clearinghouses and online locators, housing programs dedicated to Veterans, to households exiting homelessness, for low and extremely low-income households in general, and to special populations such as persons who are elderly or with disabilities.
• Be knowledgeable of admissions preferences established in any and all subsidized housing.
• Engage program participants by maintaining regular contact to monitor and track progress and response to services, including home visits and field work.
• Establish linkages and maintain solid working relationships with permanent housing providers, real estate brokers, managing agents, and landlords as a resource for participants.
• Conduct daily outreach and engagement with landlords, property owners and providers of permanent housing, including frequent fieldwork, phone calls, canvassing, etc.
• Assess veteran families’ barriers to obtaining and maintaining affordable permanent housing. 
• Provide supportive social services including individual and group counseling, workshops, education, referrals, and escorting in an effort to prepare veterans for successfully securing and maintaining permanent housing.
• Prepare and assist participants with the housing and voucher application/interview process. Attend and escort participants to viewings, landlord interviews and other housing-focused meetings in the field. 
• Provide accurate, complete, and timely documentation of the provision of supportive services and participant progression/regression toward the goals of securing permanent affordable housing.
• Track, monitor, and report housing placement rates for all participant families. 
• Assist the SSVF staff in developing and implementing individualized housing stability plans with veterans/veteran families to address identified housing barriers for Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing services.
• Complete all necessary documentation and service records to ensure compliance with funding requirements and agency quality assurance standards.
• Cultivate positive relationships with relevant funding and monitoring entities, faith-based organizations, social service providers, and other community partners.
• Participate in appropriate community collaborations and activities.
• Actively participate in SSVF and Veterans Services team meetings. 
• Respond to stakeholder and veteran needs promptly, accurately and with courtesy and respect.  Model appropriate behavior.  Represent the organization in a positive and appropriate manner.
• Maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and integrity for participants and staff, restricting information to those who need to know only.
• Follow-up with households to assess their ongoing housing stability needs.

• Assist program management in regular participant record reviews.

• Conduct presentations and lead housing meetings with participants and stakeholders.

• Participate in ongoing individual supervision, team meetings, case conferences, division meetings and trainings.

• Respond to information requests from internal S:US staff.
• Ongoing ability to work outside of normal business hours to attend housing interviews is required.

• Complete other duties as assigned by supervisor.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

·         High School Diploma required, Bachelor’s degree preferred.

·         Effective written and verbal communication skills.

·         Ability to complete fieldwork and landlord engagement activities across the S:US service area is required.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

·         Familiarity with housing inspections, local and Federal vouchers,  housing search and placement activities and housing counseling.

·         Housing search or real estate experience highly favorable.   

·         Basic computer skills (e.g. HMIS/electronic record systems, MS Office suite and Windows).

·         Bi-lingual English/Spanish a plus.

·         Veterans and people with lived expertise in homeless programming are strongly encouraged to apply.