Associate Housing Director jobs in Merrimack, NH

Description

Greater Nashua Mental Health is looking for a full-time Housing Specialist to join our team! The Housing Specialist is responsible for implementing Housing Bridge Subsidy Program. The Housing Specialist will work collaboratively with Senior Housing Specialist-Bridge, the Director of Housing and Vocational Services, the State Bureau of Mental Health Services staff, housing agencies, and treatment team providers to develop and provide stable, affordable, and long-term independent housing opportunities through short and long-term subsidies such as Bridge Subsidy, Section 8 vouchers or other types of permanent housing. The Housing Specialist will help to prevent homelessness through development of plans for housing sustainability. The Housing Specialist provides assistance to adults with serious and persistent mental illnesses, including homeless adults.

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Conduct formal housing assessments for individuals/families referred. 
• Schedule, coordinate, and facilitate housing opportunities for consumers through housing development activities.
• Provide outreach to landlords and individuals to market the Permanent Supportive Housing Program.
• Conduct face-to-face housing presentations.
• Help consumers secure and maintain affordable housing.
• Contact prospective landlords to schedule showing of rental units.
• Schedule housing interviews and assist with the rental application process.
• Conduct apartment inspections to ensure apartments meet acceptable standards.
• Help consumers make informed decisions.
• Work with treatment providers, clients, and natural supports to develop plans of housing sustainability for homelessness prevention.
• Ensure the execution of a subsidy contract for the individual.
• Maintain current information about the individual’s benefits (that is, basic income and medical information) to ensure that the subsidy amount is accurate with regard to the individual’s income.
• Facilitate annual recertifications for on-going eligibility. 
• Help individuals meet tenancy obligations such as timely rent payments and other lease requirements.
• Assist individuals with housing-related issues relevant to fulfilling lease requirements such as initial household setup, budgeting, housekeeping, house rules, contacting the landlord about repairs and other problems in the home, health and safety (including fire emergency plans and other safety and security concerns), and other issues.
• Help mediate landlord-tenant issues;
• Provide follow-up services to individuals in maintaining their homes by providing periodic in-home visits.
• Help individuals apply for and transition to other types of long-term housing assistance, such as Section 8 vouchers or public housing.
• Collaborate with designated agencies to ensure an individual’s stability in the home.
• Assist, guide, and refer individuals to other resources as needed.
• Maintain security and confidentiality of individual information.
• Maintain records and prepare internal reports including demographic information; services provided to individuals; appointments with landlords, property managers, housing subsidy administrators, or other marketing efforts; and meeting with individuals.
• Document rental assistance payments to landlords.
• Coordinate and record individual applications to subsidy programs.
• Track and monitor that all subsidy recipients complete annual recertifications for on-going eligibility.
• Conducts periodic audits of records to ensure compliance. 
• Responsible for submission of annual/monthly reports set forth in Bridge contract. 
• Performs other duties or special projects as required or as assigned.  

Requirements

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field preferred.
• 1-2 years of related work experience. 
• Must have active driver's license and automobile with liability insurance in the agency's minimum amounts.
• Familiarity with housing subsidy programs a plus.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Email, Word, EXCEL).
• Strong collaborating skills, and an ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment with frequent deadlines; high energy, self-motivated and proactive.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multitask, and be flexible with regard to workload and assignments.
• Ability to exercise judgment.  

Our agency is a team of talented and dedicated professionals who are passionate about helping the community and each other! We provide staff supervision, a stimulating work environment and opportunities for supervision towards clinical licensure. We are an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, NH State Loan Repayment Program and offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. Apply today! 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.