Housing First Housing Specialist

Primary Purpose:

Works together with Housing First Case Managers to provide coordinated services for Housing First clients. Assists clients in finding, securing, and maintaining permanent housing, and helps clients reintegrate into the community.

Essential Duties:

• Updates and maintains all necessary housing paperwork, including but not limited to intake packets and annual paperwork.
• Works with Housing First Case Managers to assist clients with housing placement, including scheduling appointments and arranging for transportation.
• Conducts home visits for each Housing First client and documents accordingly.
• Coordinates the moving process for clients (e.g. obtaining household supplies and furniture, lease signing, deposit securement).
• Acts as a liaison between clients and landlords.
• Assists clients with the move-out process when appropriate, and arranges for cleaning of vacated units.
• Actively seeks new housing opportunities through networking and community searches.
• Keeps records of all client cases, and is responsible for ensuring that the records are entered into the clinic computer data-base, and for safeguarding participants' confidentiality and other rights.
• Works with other Project and KPHC staff in providing a coordinated system of care to clients.
• Works as part of a team with other staff for purposes of outreach, back-up, and shared service delivery.
• Regular and reliable on-site attendance is required.

Other Duties:

• Perform other related duties as assigned
• Observe safety and security procedures; determine appropriate actions beyond guidelines; report potentially unsafe conditions; use equipment and materials properly.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

Skills/Knowledge:

• Knowledge of housing issues and rental housing market in Hawaii.
• Good crisis intervention / de-escalation skills.
• Ability to relate effectively to difficult clients, including mentally ill, chemically dependent, and other homeless individuals.
• Ability to operate a vehicle with a valid driver's license required.
• Must provide proof of automobile insurance and clean drivers abstract.
• Ability to work independently in an effective manner.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work as a team player.

Education:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required.

Experience:

• One or more years serving homeless persons with mental illness preferred.

Kalihi-Palama Health Center is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law.