Supportive Housing Peer Specialist

Peers provides assistance, guidance and support to individuals who are transitioning from being unhoused, in institutional settings, or unstable housing situations to stable and Supportive Housing environments. As someone who has experienced similar challenges and successfully navigated their own journey to stable housing, the Supportive Housing Peer plays a crucial role in building rapport, offering encouragement and sharing personal experiences to inspire hope and facilitate the integration of individuals into their new living situations. This position reports directly to the Program Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Core duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

- Develops positive and empathetic relationships with residents, sharing personal experiences of overcoming challenges related to housing instability.

- Provides emotional support, active listening, and encouragement to individuals in the program, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

- Facilitates group discussions, workshops, and activities that promote socialization, skill-building, and personal growth.

- Assists residents in understanding the responsibilities and expectations of maintaining stable housing.

- Collaborates with case managers to create individualized housing stability plans for participants.

- Helps individuals navigate the process of obtaining essential services, such as identification documents, healthcare, and employment support.

- Teach practical life skills such as budgeting, meal planning, and household management to enable residents to maintain their housing successfully.

- Empower residents to advocate for themselves when dealing with housing related issues, landlord-tenant interactions, and accessing community resources.

- Recognize signs of potential crisis situations and provide immediate support and de-escalation.

- Collaborate with the program team to develop crisis intervention plans and ensure participant safety and wellbeing.

- Maintain accurate and up to date participant records, documenting interactions and progress towards housing stability.

- Collaborate with program supervisors and case managers to provide insights into residents’ needs and progress.

- Participate in ongoing training and professional development to enhance peer support skills and stay informed about best practices in housing stability.

QUALIFICATIONS:

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

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

- High School Diploma and CRPA or CRPA -P

- Lived experience of housing instability

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish trust and build rapport.

- Empathetic, patient, and nonjudgmental attitude toward residents.

- Strong understanding of local resources and services available to individuals experiencing housing instability.

- High level of emotional intelligence and the ability to manage emotions in challenging situations.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

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

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Jamaica, NY 11432: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person