Housing Specialist 124 views

Urban League of Portland is looking for a Housing Specialist

About the Urban League of Portland:

Established in 1945, the Urban League of Portland is one of the oldest African American service, civil rights and advocacy organizations in the region. We are part of a network of over 90 National Urban League Affiliates across the country and are recognized as one of the leading voices for African Americans and others in Oregon and Southwest. The Urban League of Portland’s mission is to empower African Americans and others to achieve equality in education, employment, health, economic security and quality of life. Our programs include a distinctive blend of direct services, organizing, outreach, and advocacy. We offer workforce services, community health services, summer youth programming, senior services, meaningful civic engagement opportunities, and powerful advocacy.

Location: Orlando, USA

Job Type: Full-time

Job Description:

The Housing Specialist has 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 variety of stability services and advocacy for predominantly African American/ Black/LatinX and 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.

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 obtain services/housing. Some participants will require permanent support in retaining and maintaining housing, and some will need very short-term financial assistance, and housing specialist 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.

Requirements:

• Commitment to and knowledge of social justice issues and the dynamics of social change, the history and mission of the Urban League of Portland.
• Knowledge and understanding of working with low-income families and specifically within the African American community, particularly with those experiencing substance abuse disorder, mental illness, or homelessness.
• Knowledge of emergency, social, education, domestic violence, health, human services, and information/referral systems.
• Demonstrated computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suites with an emphasis on Microsoft Word,
• Excel and Outlook programs. Experience with Apricot case management software and Service Point (HMIS) is preferred.
• 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.
• Skill in motivational interviewing, assertive engagement, case conferencing, and coordination of services both by phone and in-person.
• Ability to take initiative and prioritize tasks; good time-management, crisis prevention, and problem-solving skills.
• Good written and oral communication skills; ability to communicate effectively and project a professional image when giving and taking information in writing, in person, and over the phone.
• Ability to listen and develop rapport and relate well with community members.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and support the goals and mission of the Urban League of Portland.
• 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.

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8-hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Education: Bachelor’s (Preferred)

Experience:

• Microsoft Office-1 year (Preferred)
• Case Management-1 year (Preferred)

Language: Bilingual (Preferred)

License/Certification: Driver’s License (Preferred)

Company’s website: ulpdx.org

Interested candidates please apply.