EA Family Shelter Housing Specialist

MISSION­­

To ensure housing stability to strengthen families,
individuals, and communities

Job Title: Housing Specialist

ABOUT HOUSING FAMILIES

Housing Families Inc., founded in 1986 by community members concerned about the growing crisis of homelessness, helps families make the transition out of homelessness to successfully retain permanent housing. Today, Housing Families is one of the largest and most capable providers of shelter and affordable rental housing in Massachusetts.

We are working on becoming a thought leader in the field of housing equity, to advocate with our clients at the state and federal lawmaking level, and to ensure that our culture and practices are rooted in antiracism and equity.

Our vision is a world in which everybody has a place to call home. We are looking for those who share in this vision and for skilled, compassionate individuals who share in our agency values of Respect, Caring, Integrity, Growth, and Teamwork:

• Respect – We treat people with dignity.
• Caring – We show compassion and act thoughtfully.
• Integrity – We adhere to high standards.
• Growth – We foster innovation and continuous development.
• Teamwork – We collaborate and celebrate.

Our vision is further supported by our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). These are our beliefs to which we aspire to align our behaviors every day. We are looking for members of our team who are eager to join a rapidly growing organization striving to meet the housing equity and wellbeing needs of the communities we serve.

Housing Families offers the following services to over 2,500 residents of the Massachusetts Gateway Cities of Malden, Chelsea, Medford, Revere, and Everett each year:

• Housing Services
• 101 units of Emergency Assistance Family Shelter
• 21 bed Adult Individual Shelter
• 85 units of Permanent Supportive Housing, 38 of which are designated for disabled head of households
• Comprehensive case management for each family and individual living in our shelter or permanent housing
• Homelessness Prevention & Legal Services
• Legal representation in housing court
• Legal advice, referrals, mediation
• Eviction prevention case management
• Rental assistance and direct financial assistance
• GREAT Youth & Families Program
• Individual Counseling for children and adults
• Therapeutic groups for children and adults
• Academic support and tutoring for children
• School vacation and Saturday School programming for children
• Food Pantry Program
• Nutritious, culturally appropriate food and grocery assistance for the families and individuals in our programming

ROLE PURPOSE / RESPONSIBILITIES:

Role Purpose: The Housing Specialist will work directly with families experiencing homeless to locate and secure safe, affordable, permanent housing.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure all families are served and treated with dignity and respect.
• Ensure all services are provided in compliance with various funding sources.
• Ensure accurate records are maintained for all clients.
• Thoroughly assess families’ strengths and barriers to obtaining permanent housing and develop a housing strategy that incorporates means of mitigating any barriers to permanent housing.
• Partner with families to create, review, and enforce a Re-housing Plan that reflects the goals of the family and funder, and that addresses each family member’s needs.
• Assist families in completing housing applications and ensuring that all preferences and priorities are obtained.
• Attend housing screenings and appeals with families, providing transportation when necessary.
• Complete all necessary paperwork and documentation needed to be in compliance with program requirements and state regulations.
• Manage crises as they arise, and other duties as assigned.
• Participate in All Staff meetings and other identified trainings and meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS / ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications:

• Experience working directly with clients in the human services field.
• The ability to hear and incorporate feedback quickly, empathically de-escalate emotional reactions and think critically.
• Strong assessment, problem solving and negotiating skills
• The ability to remain calm and responsive during crisis.
• A positive attitude with the ability to be flexible and adaptable to changes.
• Attention to detail.
• Compelling advocacy skills.
• Ability to work with a diverse team and population.
• Working knowledge of the impact of trauma, homelessness, and Motivational Interviewing.
• Working knowledge of various housing options in the state of Massachusetts.
• Fluent in English
• Bilingual Spanish or Haitian Creole a plus.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must have reliable transportation and be willing to travel in the Greater Boston area and commute families to critical housing appointments when necessary
• Must be willing to work 40 hours per week, and adapt schedule to meet the needs of families
• Must have unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States
• Must be 18 years or older
• Ability to form strong interpersonal relationships with people from diverse backgrounds (staff, clients, etc.)
• Must be able to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) background check

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at a time walking up and down flights of stairs.
• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time at a desk while working on a computer.

APPLICATIONS / COMPENSATION:

• This is a full time, non-exempt position with hours Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with some flexibility.
• Starting salary is $24.04/hour.
• Benefits: Eligible for full benefits including Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, 403B Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off, and a Tuition Reimbursement Program.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Work Location: In person