Housing Advocate III – Q Foundation / AIDS Housing AllianceSF – San Francisco, CA

HOUSING ADVOCATE III

Position Title: Housing Advocate III

Reports to: Clinical Supervisor

Compensation: Competitive salary and benefits package

Classification: Regular Full-Time, Non-exempt

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Clinical Supervisor, the Housing Advocate is primarily responsible for ensuring smooth, timely and accurate intake of our members; using established standards, business rules, and policies as guidance, the AHA Housing Advocate will act as the AHA’s first point of contact for all new and existing members. Additionally, the AHA Housing Advocate will interface with all colleagues on the AHA Team, maintain member confidentiality, and, promote a sense of pride and professionalism at all times.

AGENCY MISSION: We believe in a world where all people have a safe, decent, and affordable home. Toward this vision, we prevent homelessness for the LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS communities by protecting the housing we already have, providing resources to secure new housing, and promoting public policy to increase opportunity for all.

ORGANIZATION PROFILE: AIDS Housing Alliance/SF has been at the forefront advocating for the housing needs of the LGBTQ and HIV communities since 2004, preventing or ending homelessness for over 2500 households, and passing local legislation to curb displacement and homelessness. We are proud that the majority of our staff have been HIV+.

Our programs include:

Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing: Housing case management, affordable housing application assistance, tenant’s rights counseling & landlord mediation.
Financial Services: Back rent to prevent eviction, move in deposits to cure homelessness, emergency hotel vouchers, short-term and needs-based rental subsidies.
Job Training & Supportive Employment: AHA Café is our job training and supportive employment site located on campus at UC Hastings College of Law.
Public Policy Advocacy: Imagine and successfully advocate achieving public policy that removes barriers to housing for all people.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Conduct screening interviews at AHA with applicants seeking admission to AHA’s Programs and Services. Confer with referral agents and other internal AHA personnel concerning prospective members, and requesting written background information when necessary.
Process admitted members via orienting them to AHA’s Programs and Services. Explaining applicable rules and regulations. Obtaining necessary signatures on formal agreements. Initiating case record folders.
Refer ineligible applicants to other, more appropriate community agencies and institutions.
Provide case management with the members through the Drop-In Clinic and develop individualized housing plans, which includes plans for increasing income, housing search, budget assistance, job training and enhancement, and, landlord advocacy.
Ensure accurate intake assessment is completed for each member, with an emphasis on housing, psychiatric, family, employment, benefits and recovery needs.
Coordinate new and existing services for members through outside service providers.
Provide ongoing support services by monitoring members individualized housing plan with appropriate goals, objectives and timelines.
Provide tenants rights counseling and landlord mediation services.
Maintain all necessary client information including immediately & accurately entering case notes, enter service activities and outcomes on a weekly basis.
Work occasional evenings and weekends as needed for programmatic activities.
Other responsibilities as assigned to support specific AHA needs.
Set appropriate boundaries with members; observe member confidentiality protocols as needed and required for operation of Member Programs and Services.
Maintain ongoing contact with current and prospective referral sources, which is sufficient to ensure referrals at an adequate level to maintain program integrity.
Ensure the overall maintenance and security of open and closed files as assigned.
Prepare and maintain statistical reports required by AHA policy and procedure. Preparation of the weekly “Case Management and Staff Meeting” report as assigned.
Participate in staff meetings, training workshops, and, community meetings as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Masters Degree in social work, health, counseling, or other related field.
At least 2 years nonprofit experience, housing experience preferred.
Experience working with people in crisis to access public benefits.
Knowledge of San Francisco specialized services, including homeless, HIV/AIDS, substance use, mental health and LGBTQ services.
Must have strong administrative skills that include computer and office skills.
Clear and concise verbal, written and presentation skills. Strong interpersonal skills.
Strong organizational and time management skills that includes creativity when planning and accomplishing a variety of goals and be results-oriented.
Ability to prioritize tasks with strong organizational, analytical, mathematical skills.
Demonstrated ability to work in a courteous and professional manner with and within a diverse setting of members, colleagues, and other contacts including homeless, poor, disabled and other disenfranchised people; individuals with mental health and/or substance use issues; and people from diverse ethnic, cultural, economic, sexual orientation and gender identification communities.
Excellent teamwork and cooperation skills and must be able to maintain strong working relationships with AHA colleagues.
Ability to work independently, take initiative, and prioritize duties.
Demonstrate the necessary attitude, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work in diverse ethnic, cultural, economic, sexual orientation and gender identification situations.
Commitment to the ideals and goals of a modern activist HIV/AIDS organization.
English language proficiency required: Bilingual/Spanish a plus.

How to apply

Application Procedure:

Please send your resume and a thoughtful letter of interest to the attention of Hiring Manager:

By email (preferred) to jobs@ahasf.org. Identify the position code “Housing Advocate III”.
By fax, 415-561-9940.

No phone calls please. To find out more about the organization, please visit us at www.ahasf.org. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining a culturally diverse work environment. Individuals with diverse personal experiences, people of color, bilingual English-Spanish speakers, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, women, and people living with HIV/AIDS or other disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.

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