Housing Case Manager- Housing Problem Solving

HOME STABILIZATION SPECIALIST

HOUSING FIRST RHODE ISLAND

FULL TIME - NON EXEMPT

General Summary: This position coordinates individual housing and tenancy sustaining services to Thrive Behavioral Health clients residing in or hoping to reside in affordable housing units. The Specialist must be a motivated and resourceful individual who is sensitive to tenant needs; has excellent service coordination skills, able to build team support; group facilitation skills; and thrives in a relatively independent environment. Must work well with individuals and families who are homeless, at risk for homelessness or who want to remain in affordable, permanent housing.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and conduct assessments of tenants and prospective tenants to establish housing needs in the following areas:
  
  
  
  • Provide early identification and intervention for behaviors that can jeopardize housing.
  • Educate and train participants as to the role, rights and responsibilities of both the landlord and tenant.
  • Coach participants on how to develop and maintain key relationships with landlords and property managers to foster successful tenancy
  • Advocate and provide linkages with community resources to address issues that jeopardize housing.
  • Assist with recertification process.
  • Coordinate with tenant to review, update and modify their housing plan on a regular basis to reflect current needs and address existing or recurring barriers to housing retention.
  
  
  
  
• Teach housing self-sufficiency skills including how to find furnishings, budgeting, importance of credit, heating and utility assistance and energy conservation, criminal background checks (BCI), housekeeping, safety, as well as addressing hoarding and smoking issues.
• Assist with developing interactive skills such as how to interview landlords, and how to be a good neighbor.
• Assist with preparation for move-in and move-out inspections as well as annual Housing Quality Standards inspections.
• Assist tenants and staff with subsidized housing applications and interviews as well as informal hearing requests.
• Compile and maintain current information about housing agencies that provide housing ranging from shelters through subsidized and market rent apartments.
• Understand and be able to advocate on behalf of clients rights regarding fair housing, discrimination, and RI Tenant/Landlord law.
• Complete billing forms, logs, data collection forms, progress notes and other clinical documentation in accordance with Center standards.
• Meet program billable hour/productivity.
• Assist Director of Housing to manage Home Stabilization staff and program budget. reports as required.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Attend all agency/department required training and meetings within the prescribed period.
• Attend all Safety Training programs and be able to describe his/her responsibilities related to the general safety, department safety, and specific job-related hazards and responsibilities.
• Demonstrate respect and regard for the dignity of all clients, families, visitors and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible and courteous environment.
• Embrace Thrive's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mission Statement and Definitions.
• Present a neat appearance in proper attire and identification as required by the position, department and agency policies and procedures.
• Attend work the hours and/or shifts assigned, and begin and end on time.
• Adhere to Thrive's Guiding Principles
• Function, as member of a team, i.e., be a "Team Player".

Education, Experience and Competencies:

• Bachelor's Degree in the Human Service field.
• Completion of case management certification program strongly preferred.
• Minimum (2) year experience in Human Service field working with clients with disabilities required.

Certifications, Licenses Requirements:

Valid driver's license and automobile insurance which meets Rhode Island minimum standards required, or the ability to obtain necessary transportation in order to perform the responsibilities/tasks of the job