Job Information
Evergreen Health Housing Resource Specialist in Buffalo, New York
Evergreen Health
The Housing Resource Specialist is responsible for and provides direct service and advocacy for clients seeking assistance in locating and securing permanent housing. The Housing Resource Specialist must have a thorough understanding of the resources needed to assist clients with securing safe, affordable and adequate housing. The Housing Resource Specialist reports directly to the Director of Housing Services who, in concert with the VP of Supportive Services, shall determine the specific responsibilities of this position. These responsibilities can be revised as necessary with proper notification and training provided, where appropriate.
As part of the essential functions of this role, the Housing Resource Specialist:
Essentials Functions:
Manages all housing applications and referrals for permanent housing placement eligible patients.
Conducts initial housing needs assessment in the office, in the community, or a combination of both.
Develops a housing stability plan that addresses identified needs and provides referrals to area resources when necessary.
Develops and maintains resources on housing and utility assistance programs throughout Western New York.
Ensures proper outreach efforts are conducted per program expectations.
Ensures monthly contacts are made with enrolled patients to provide essential housing linkage and referrals.
Collaborates with other service providers to ensure a patient focused approach of care.
Participates in medical case conferences when necessary.
Provides referrals to internal and external services as needed
Types letters/other correspondence as required, and organizes client and housing documentation for scanning
Provides housing information at staff meetings; distributes information of interest to Center/agency staff.
Actively engages clients in search for safe, stable housing and acts as liaison between client and property owners.
Assists eligible individuals establish new residence, make moving arrangements, secure rental leases and obtain financial housing assistance (when needed).
Transports clients during the housing placement process, when needed and necessary.
Conducts home inspections for clients as needed to determine and ensure habitability based on HUD regulations.
Completes training on new housing inspection standards and assists team members with inspections as needed.
Establishes linkages for referrals by meeting with community housing resources and landlords.
Compiles accurate electronic housing notes for all active clients and maintain client files which comply with agency confidentiality policies.
Completes training for HMIS and adheres to the regulations around entering data into the HMIS database. All data and enrollments will need to be entered at time of intake.
Maintains current statistical data for department and program reports.
Participates in all team meetings, staff meetings and in-service trainings.
Qualified candidate will have a Bachelors degree and one (1) year or qualifying experience, OR and associates degree and two (2) years of qualifying experience, OR an equivalent combination of education with at least three (3) years of qualifying experience.
*“Qualifying Experience” means verifiable full- or part-time experience in human services with the following populations: person with a chronic illness, and/or persons with a history of mental illness, homelessness, or chemical dependence. Experience with housing preferred.
Candidate must have the ability to travel between offices/clinic locations and have a valid drivers license and access to a reliable car to ensure travel between locations and ability to transport patients as needed. Candidate must demonstrate ability to communicate effectively and professionally with staff, patients, board members, vendors and other external contacts. Candidate must have the ability to handle sensitive material, maintaining the highest level of confidentiality and displaying sound judgment, essential. Candidate must be proficient with computers and MS software (Outlook, Word) preferred. Candidate must have excellent organizational and time management skills and have high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Candidate must have the ability to work a hybrid schedule when/if approved by supervisor. Candidate must demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the issues that underserved populations, people living with HIV and people who use drugs face, including health disparities that affect people of color at a disproportionate rate.
Job type: Full-time
Required education/experience : Bachelors degree and one (1) year or qualifying experience, OR and associates degree and two (2) years of qualifying experience, OR an equivalent combination of education with at least three (3) years of qualifying experience.
What Evergreen Health Offers You:
Multiple comprehensive medical health insurance plans for you to choose from
Dental and Vision coverage at no cost to you
Paid Time Off package that equals 4 weeks of time in your first year
403b with a generous company match
Paid parking or monthly metro pass
Professional development opportunities
Paid lunch breaks