Summary: The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Housing Placement Specialist provides suitable housing options for Veteran families.
The Housing Placement Specialist will facilitate placement of homeless Veterans and their families into transitional or permanent supportive housing by (1) Observing and assessing the best fit for permanent housing choices for the client, (2) Coordinating and working in a collaborative manner with ND’s direct service staff to provide technical and logistical assistance in the placement of Veterans and their families into permanent housing, and (3) Document clients’ housing status and progress, providing regular reports on the outcomes and status of those tracked, with a goal of rapidly re-rehousing these households. As a member of the program case management team, the Housing Placement Specialist will provide information, referrals, crisis intervention, and assistance with permanent housing placement to participants and case managers.
The Housing Placement Specialist (1) Identifies and locates housing options suitable for Veteran households as needed, (2) Connects with Landlords and Property Management companies and permanent supportive housing developments, with the goal of making housing units available to homeless Veterans and their families, (3) Maintains a housing database linking tenants to apartments.
The Housing Placement Specialist shall also conduct targeted outreach in support the organization’s participation in coordinated assessment systems for families and individuals. This includes attendance of appropriate external collaborative outreach, case conferencing and other activities, supporting the matching and placement of clients into permanent supportive housing.
This position is specifically created to work collaboratively with NDVets own direct services providers and outreach staff, who works with both sheltered and unsheltered homeless Veterans, to support them in finding and retaining housing. The Housing Placement Specialist works collaboratively with NDVets staff to facilitate placement of homeless Veterans and their families into transitional or permanent supportive housing, assisting team members in observing and assessing the best fit for permanent housing choices for the client. The ideal candidate is mission-driven and cares deeply for the situation of U.S. Military Veterans who are homeless.
MISSION:
New Directions for Veterans empowers men and women who served in the military, and their families, to lead productive and fulfilling lives. This position is critically important to the success of placement outcomes for NDVets rapid rehousing, Grant Per Diem and Permanent Supportive Housing programs
Job Duties:
• Perform housing placement specialist services that include but are not limited to; screening, assessment, intake, client education, orientation, crisis interventions services and referrals, record keeping, data entry, collaboration and consultation, with other Continuum of Care Providers to best service the needs of your clients, provide referrals, track referrals manually and electronically, follow up on referrals, with clients and providers, create goal plans with clients, chart clients progress on such plans, progress notes, housing searches for clients, home inspections, negotiations with landlords, office appointments with clients, field appointments with clients when needed.
• Meet regularly with intake staff, and involved in all intakes as assigned.
• Work collaboratively with all NDVets staff to service their clients with housing placement services. This includes providing housing search updates to the case manager, housing readiness plans and assist the clients with implementation and action plans for selecting permanent Housing choice.
•Capture all documentation that reflects lease up and attainment of permanent housing.
•Assist clients with the procurement of vital eligibility records.
• Provide weekly Housing Plan progress notes to case managers, updating the plans every 30 days noting progress made on Housing Plan Goals.
•Track all referrals and or housing leads provided to clients.
•Assist clients with developing an actual and a projected budget that can prepare them for the money management aspect required in order to sustain housing.
•Instruct/coach the client on filling out housing applications, coach and empower the client on the latest and most effective ways to search for housing, including website tutorial sessions, which focusing on innovative and effective ways to access available housing options.
•Identify housing on behalf of clients. Representation to the landlords or Property management companies, advocacy and mediation when and if necessary.
•Housing search assistance including transportation to view available units, access to faxing applications and other housing readiness documentation.
•Work with colleagues to maintain a Matrix of Permanent Supportive Housing projects, including current PSH housing projects, upcoming projects, and Criterion for acceptance into all. Complete with contact information, applications for these developments.
•Screening for SSVF deposit assistance if applicable.
•Operate and perform all the functions of the SSVF Housing Placement Specialist position.
•Collaborate jointly with SSVF team to implement a community and business outreach plan, including activities and services provided by Housing Authority VSO’s and PSH Development Contractor.
•Nurture existing permanent housing relationships. Present at business, community, and neighborhood group meetings regarding the SSVF project, CES and FSC Meetings its impacts and intended mitigations.
•Identify, attend and participate at community events, grand openings of housing projects, meetings, grand openings, outreach activities to educate the broader community about New Directions for Veterans, our activities and projects.
•Perform miscellaneous projects as assigned.
•Maintain and manage a Housing Placement case load of enrolled veterans.
•Keep community and organizational data bases current and precise.
•Attend staff trainings as instructed.
Job Requirements:
•Knowledge and command of Microsoft Office (including Power Point and Access and high level functioning within Excel)
•Knowledge of fair housing laws, web-based housing search applications.
• Driver’s license and car insurance. Position requires that the Specialist drive clients in a company-owned vehicle to appointments that relate to housing procurement for the client.
•Exceptional interpersonal skills.
•Strong writing and oral presentation skills.
•Willingness to maintain organized and standardized files.The ability to work independently.
•Experience in facilitating public meetings and other public forums
•Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with external community partners and maintain steady communication and rapport with program staff.
•Willing to participate actively in program and agency special events as needed, be cross- trained and cross-train others in support of program objectives.
•Capable of reading, interpreting, and applying complex data collection guidelines and submitting timely reports effectively using required formats. Exceptional organizational and planning skills
•Maintains workflow by studying methods; implementing cost reductions; and developing reporting procedures.
•Provides information by answering questions and requests.
•Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies, time management and organizational skills. Attentiveness to detail.
•Experience working with the homeless population.
•Ability to multitask and meet reporting deadlines.
•Veterans or family members of Veterans preferred, but not required.
How to apply
Email your cover letter and resume to resumes@ndvets.org, nboehme@ndvets.org OR mpienemann@ndvets.org.