Community Supports Housing Care Manager (San Bernardino County)

Community Supports (CS) Housing Care Manager [SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY]

POSITION SUMMARY

The Housing Care Manager, as a member of the St. John’s Community Supports Housing Program (CS) team in San Bernardino, works closely with Medi-Cal members who are enrolled in the CS Program to provide homeless and housing support services. The Housing Care Manager provides Housing Navigation services that include: client advocacy, case management, benefit establishment, linkage to mental health/substance abuse services, linkage to stable housing and all other supportive services as needed. In addition, the Housing Care Manager provides Tenancy Services with a goal of maintaining safe and stable tenancy once housing is secured. The position will use evidence-based practice models such as Trauma-Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing, along with Harm Reduction and Housing First principles.

Benefits:

• Free Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans
• 13 Paid Holidays and PTO
• 403(b) Retirement Match
• Life Insurance, EAP
• Tuition Reimbursement
• SEIU Union
• Flexible Spending Account
• Succession Plans and Internal Growth Opportunities

Qualifications/Licensure:

• Bachelor's degree or higher;
• Familiar with resources that support stable housing, such as Veteran Services, Rapid Rehousing, and Section 8;
• Knowledge of housing navigation skills, such as housing location, filling out applications, developing housing contacts, and lease compliance;
• 2 years of experience within social services and/or public health;
• Experience working in underserved communities, such as undocumented individuals, unaccompanied minors, LGBTQIA+ populations, communities of color, people experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, an/or serious mental illness;
• Valid CA Driver's License and vehicle required for work-related travel to difference clinic sites and housing sites; and
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (read, write, speak) [strongly preferred]

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Housing Care Manager will deliver Housing Navigation services to Medi-Cal members prior to successful tenancy which include:
  • Completing a Housing Assessment that identifies the member's preferences and barriers related to housing.
  • Developing an Individualized Housing Support Plan (based on the Housing Assessment) that addresses identified barriers, short- and long-term housing goals, and identifies when other services may be required to meet housing goals.
  • Assisting in securing housing, including the completion of housing applications and securing vital documents (e.g., Social Security, Birth Certificate, etc.).
  • Assisting with benefits advocacy, including assistance with obtaining identification and documentation for SSI eligibility and supporting the SSI application process.
  • Identifying and securing available resources to assist with subsidizing rent (such as Section 8, state, and local housing assistance programs) and matching available rental subsidy resources to members.
  • If included in the Individualized Housing Support Plan, identifying and securing resources to cover expenses, such as security deposit, moving costs, adaptive aids, environmental modifications, moving costs, and other one-time expenses.
  • Communicating and advocating on behalf of the members with landlords.
  • Establishing procedures and contacts to retain housing.
  • Identifying, coordinating, securing, or funding non-emergency, non-medical transportation to assist members’ mobility to ensure reasonable accommodations and access to housing options prior to transition and on move-in day.
  • Review program participant files and ensure that all program records and resident documentation are maintained as required.
  • Perform other duties as needed to help effectively operate the program.

• The Housing Care Manager will deliver Tenancy Services to Medi-Cal members once housing is secured which include:
  • Providing early identification and intervention for behaviors that may jeopardize housing, such as late rental payment, hoarding, substance use, among other lease violations.
  • Education and training on the role, rights, and responsibilities of the tenant-landlord relationship.
  • Coaching on developing and maintaining key relationships with landlords/property managers with a goal of fostering successful tenancy.
  • Coordination with the landlord and case management provider to address identified issues that could impact tenancy.
  • Assistance in resolving disputes with landlords and/or neighbors to reduce risk of eviction or other adverse action, including developing a repayment plan or identifying funding in situations in which the member owes unpaid rent or payment for damage to the unit.
  • Assistance with benefits advocacy, including assistance with obtaining identification and documentation for SSI eligibility and supporting the SSI application process.
  • Assistance with the annual housing recertification process.
  • Coordinating with the members to review, update and modify their Individualized Housing Support Plan on a regular basis to reflect current needs and address existing or recurring housing retention barriers.
  • Continuing assistance with lease compliance, including ongoing support with activities related to household management.
  • Other prevention and early intervention services that are activated when housing is jeopardized (e.g., assisting with reasonable accommodation requests that were not initially required upon move-in).
  • Providing independent living and life skills including assistance with and training on budgeting, including financial literacy and connection to community resources.

• Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.