Housing Engagement Specialist

As the third-party administer of the Flexible Housing Pool (FHP), the Center for Housing and Health (CHH) is charged with maintaining a portfolio of quality, readily accessible housing for program participants. The Flexible Housing Pool is a multisector investment in housing that aims to expand the number of units available to people in Chicago and Cook County experiencing homelessness. CHH leads a partnership of 20 subcontracted community-based organizations providing tenancy supports to program participants. The Housing Engagement Specialist will work within CHH's internal Landlord Engagement Team to secure and maintain safe, affordable housing units in the city of Chicago and Cook County suburbs.

The Housing Engagement Specialist will be assigned one of the following focus areas but provide support in other areas based on situational program needs: a) developing and maintaining relationships with property owners, b) conduct housing inspections, c) support emergency tenant moves, d) mitigate landlord/tenant conflicts, e) support program participant access to bridge housing and f) coordinate with direct service staff to ensure program participants experience a seamless transition from homelessness to housing. CHH is a supporting organization of AIDS Foundation Chicago.

The salary range for this role is $50,000 to $53,000 annually.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Increase and Maintain a Robust Housing Portfolio

Research and identify a broad range of safe and affordable rental housing throughout the city of Chicago and/or Cook County suburbs for individuals and families experiencing homelessness

Develop, cultivate, and maintain professional relationships with landlords; Outreach to and engage landlords/property managers to secure safe, affordable rental units that meet the needs and preferences of program participants

Conduct unit inspections to ensure housing quality standards are met

Work collaboratively with landlords/property managers to monitor unit remediation and repair activities prior to move-in

Liaise between case managers and landlords, on behalf of the client, to resolve significant repair or safety issues after tenant move-in and for the duration of the lease

Facilitate lease agreements with landlords, and complete program rental payment paperwork to ensure subsidy payments are set up in a timely manner

Lease Renewals and Tenant Moves

No less than 30-45 days to the lease expiration, coordinate with partner subcontracted case manager to initiate the lease renewal process;

Initiate and complete a lease renewal agreement with the landlord, when applicable

Complete and submit program rental payment paperwork for renewals in a timely manner

For client moves, collaborate with the Landlord Engagement Team to identify a new unit; Coordinate leasing and move logistics with the partner case manager and landlord

Submit complete and accurate lease and rental payment paperwork in a timely manner

General Program Supports

Support coordination and monitoring of program participant move-in to temporary (bridge) housing

Monitor and document program participant move outs

Provide professional customer service when responding to and addressing landlord concerns/complaints

Provide mitigation supports to landlords, as needed

Identify and secure high need units, specifically Chicago northside neighborhood units, suburban units, accessible units, and units for individuals with justice-involved backgrounds

Support the Landlord Engagement Manager to promote the program at community engagement events, and landlord appreciation events

Be available on a rotating basis for the 24/7 landlord crisis line to address landlord issues

Quality Assurance

Complete and submit all paperwork in an accurate and timely manner for approval by the Landlord Engagement Manager

Complete and update data entry in Case Worthy (case management and leasing database) in an accurate and timely manner

Enter and track housing inventory data in the landlord portfolio database

Meet or exceed monthly program goals

Submit monthly Quality Assurance reports

Other

Participate in annual internal trainings regarding fair housing laws and tenant-landlord rental ordinances; Stay abreast of fair housing laws and tenant-landlord rental ordinances

Actively participate in agency, department, and team meetings

Assist with agency-wide activities as directed, including Annual Meeting, AIDS Run & Walk, and others

Participate in voluntary or assigned professional development opportunities

Protect organization's values and manage risk by keeping information confidential and following HIPAA regulations

Perform other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in social service or related field, Business Administration, Communications or 1 or more years of Housing/Homelessness or Business/Real Estate experience

OR

1 or more years of Housing/Homelessness or Business/Real Estate experience

Valid driver's license and acceptable vehicle insurance

Reliable vehicle transportation

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in social service or related field, Business Administration, Communications or 1 or more years of Housing/Homelessness or Business/Real Estate experience

3 or more years in Housing/Homelessness or related field or 2 or more years in Real Estate experience

Bi-lingual, Spanish-speaking

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Exceptional time management skills

Strong ability to multi-task in a fast-paced work environment

Strong attention to detail

Strong communication skills to work with and address different constituencies (staff, landlords, program participants)

Knowledge and understanding of applicable housing/rental laws, with training and guidance

Openness to learning about a variety of Chicago neighborhoods/wards and suburban Cook County suburbs

Basic knowledge of Microsoft applications, including Outlook and Excel

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

None.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The position requires being out in the community approximately 60% of the time, along with operating a car and traveling throughout the city of Chicago. Task may include walk, climb stairs, and navigating seasonal elements. The position includes approximately 40% of the time being in a work environment representative of that found in a general office environment. Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (up to 10 pounds.) Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and on the telephone.