GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION

The primary focus of the Housing Search Worker is to provide services to program residents in a well-defined and comprehensive manner. The services provided to families will include housing search and seeking other services as the family’s needs require in order to facilitate stabilized housing for the families currently in the emergency shelter housing program. The Housing Search Worker will hold a caseload of up to 15 families (this may increase temporarily when there is a staffing shortage). The Housing Search Worker will work collaboratively with the Case Manager to obtain housing for individual families.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS*

• Assist families with all aspects of admission to the program including but not limited to:
  • Reviewing house rules and site inventory
  • Determining immediate emergency needs
  • Completion of all necessary program documents
• Work with families in determining areas of need and develop a Rapid Re-Housing Plan
• Communicate with families and case managers to understand the family’s housing priorities, including but not limited to unit location, size, and rent, as well as understand each family’s strengths to help landlords understand why they should rent to the family
• Work with case management staff to develop and input rehousing plans into ETO on a monthly basis and submit non-compliance reports when families do not comply with the plans
• Identify both market rate and subsidized housing units, and bring families to visit units both in the community and other communities
• Prioritize families with vouchers and provide 30, 60 and 90 days written updates on housing search progress
• Conduct “housing orientation” with new families, including making certain that all necessary documentation is provided to secure housing
• When requested, assist the Program Director with training and orientation of other program staff, volunteers, or interns
• Able to relate to people using written and verbal communication skills
• Coordinate with stabilization worker to review lease provisions, rights, and expectations with families
• Networking with housing service providers
• Provide families with leads and applications to housing opportunities
• Review and complete housing applications with families
• Actively schedule meetings and set appointments with families
• Provide transportation to housing appointments
• Provide written weekly notes of housing advocacy goals and accomplishments, barriers and strategies in both ETO and FileMaker
• On-call rotation
• Perform other related tasks as assigned

COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree preferred. High School Diploma/GED required. Two years experience working in housing service or independent living programs. Candidates must possess strong communication and organizational skills. Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record required.