Housing Specialist

JOB TITLE: Housing Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Housing

REPORTS TO: Manager of Housing Programs

CLASSIFICATION: 1.0(FTE) 40 hours per week, mostly 8-5 with some evenings and weekends. East Portland and North Portland offices. Eligible for 10% telecommuting. Local travel required.

SALARY: $24.50 - $31.25/hr. DOE - Non-Exempt

COVID-19 Requirements: All employees must have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series that has been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or by the World Health Organization (WHO) before beginning work.

COVER LETTER REQUIREMENTS:

To be considered for this role, please submit a cover letter with your application that highlights the following:

• Include a compelling letter detailing your suitability for this position and your passion for the mission of the Urban League of Portland.
• Applicant must identify on the cover letter how they have “lived” personal experience leading to an understanding of the needs of African Americans experiencing homelessness.

SCOPE:

The Housing Specialist has a responsibility to provide a wide range of wrap around services and build a rapport with community members who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The housing specialist will provide a wide variety of stability services and advocacy for predominantly African American/ Black community members in need of safe, stable housing. The Housing Specialist will work with program participants holistically and will help them access necessary social services, and act as a personal advocate for obtaining permanent housing. Housing Specialist will provide individualized support throughout the entire journey by helping each community member overcome any barriers, assess their supports, and set achievable long and short-term goals for a holistic.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide supportive services in a culturally responsive, non-judgmental manner using a strengths-based framework of assertive engagement.
• Coordinate intake and individualized needs assessment for community members. Work with participants to develop short- and long-term goals that address barriers to obtaining services/housing.
• Some participants will require permanent support in retaining and maintaining housing, and some will need very short-term financial assistance, and housing specialists will assess these needs and make decisions on length and depth of service.
• Monitor and evaluate each participant’s progression towards their goals and develop modifications to the plan as necessary.
• Provide information, “hands-on” referrals, linkages, and personal advocacy to assist participants in accessing services and resources. Directly assist participants with obtaining necessary documents and services such as identification card, birth certificate, social security income, disability income.
• Assist participants with housing applications, completing supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, surveying rental market for affordable housing, and advocating for community members with prospective landlords, property managers, and property owners.
• Promote culturally responsive mediation between participants and medical, housing, and social service systems while building individual capacity to self-advocate. Provide holistic, culturally appropriate and accessible life skills education and information and responsive crisis intervention and prevention for participants.
• Work in partnership with Urban League Community Health workers, Employment Specialists, and Community Health navigators, including reporting and intake documentation to complete follow-up and retention services.
• Maintain all related data tracking systems, including case notes, stability matrix, and complete HMIS entries. Prepare related reports including outcomes, successes and challenges, including generating data for monthly reports.
• Any other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE/LICENSURE

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in Community Health, Social Work or related field

OR

• Minimum of three years of experience in case management, home visiting, or related human services experience, working with and relating to African Americans.

PLUS

• Two years of experience providing services to African American individuals and families experiencing homelessness or those residing in any type of supportive housing.
• Must have a car for daily use, in-state insurance with your name on the policy and a valid Oregon state license, active for at least one year with an acceptable driving record.