Homeless Prevention Case Manager

Homeless Prevention Case Manager

This position has a home location of Commerce and services participants located in South Gate

JOB SUMMARY:

The Homeless Prevention Case Manager assists participants who are at risk of becoming homeless due to being in the early stages of the eviction process by assisting to retain permanent housing. The programs goal is also to prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless. This position would assist in resolving clients' housing crises that would otherwise lead to a loss of housing that includes but is not limited to short-term financial assistance, Housing-related support services, legal assistance, and client care plans that lead to housing stabilization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE, but are not limited to the following:

• Provide Homelessness Prevention Activities such as: Rental arrear payments for low-income eligible South Gate residents to prevent homelessness that are emergency in nature and do not exceed three consecutive months. This may also include participant assistance with security deposits, rental arrears, utility deposits and or utility arrears.
• Provide Case Management such as client intake and assessment of needs/income eligibility; counseling; service linkage and referral for emergency health/mental health services; identification of eligibility for and obtaining benefits.
• Maintain client files with vital information and within contractual requirements (i.e. SSI papers, proof of income, court papers and etc.). Ensure that the needs of participants are met in a timely manner.
• Assess housing barriers of participants who are unstably housed and at risk of homelessness to determine housing and service needs.
• Develop housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with participants. This will include an intake interview/assessment to determine household needs, goals, and eligibility.
• Provide advocacy with landlords on the households behalf to develop a workable plan to maintain housing.
• Mediation between the program participant and the landlord/owner or person(s) with whom the program participant is living, provided that the mediation is necessary to prevent the program participant from losing permanent housing in which the program participant currently resides.
• Advocates for and actively assists individuals in obtaining services (e.g., benefits, mental health, substance abuse, housing referrals, financial assistance, home-based services, training, medical services, mentoring and socialization).

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work indoors in a temperature-controlled environment and occasionally exposed to outdoor weather and driving conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Stand and sit for long periods of time; move and walk to various locations; climb stairs, stoop, kneel, reach, pull, push, bend, twist, and occasionally lift and or move objects. Use hands to finger, handle or feel.
• Ability to interact with other employees, residents, customers and members of the public.
• Travel to off-site meetings and evening appointments.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of housing resources in Service Planning Area preferred. Resources can include crisis housing and permanent housing throughout Los Angeles County.

• Knowledge of HUD guidelines and experience working with subsidized housing programs such as Section 8, Shelter Plus Care, Rapid/Recovery Re-Housing, and others.

• Current knowledge of best practice models, including Housing First, Mental Health Recovery, Harm Reduction, and Critical Time Intervention.
• Understanding of case management practices and ability to accurately and clearly document case notes.

• Ability to accurately enter client data and progress notes in HMIS Homeless Management Information System.
• Proficient use of laptop computer and Microsoft Windows, Office software programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Possess valid California driver's license and properly registered vehicle.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in social services preferred.
• Experience assisting low and very-low-income individuals in accessing affordable housing.
• Experience working with homeless individuals or families preferred.
• Bilingual: Desirable, but not required.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made, if requested, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

HYC, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATION IS MADE WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE, RACE, COLOR RELIGION, GENDER, GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, MARITAL STATUS, NATION ORIGIN, ANCESTRY, MILITARY OR VETERAN STATUS, INCLUDING PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITIES OR ANY OTHER LEGALLY PROTECTED STATUS.