Veterans Housing Advocate

The Veteran’s Housing Advocate is responsible for working closely with low-income Veterans and their families in security financial means to help them overcome their housing crisis while providing support services and referral guidance.

Essential Job Functions:
1.    The Housing Advocate will be familiar with all aspects of the agency’s Supportive Housing Programs and related programs, including performance standards, program procedures and outcomes.

2.    Responsible for participant recruitment and enrollment in the programs. 

3.    Responsible for maintaining current and accurate records as required by the program, and ensuring their confidentiality.

4.    Demonstrate ability to establish a trusting relationship with participants of varying economic, cultural and functional levels.

5.    Through observation, assessment skills and interviewing, identify and assess needs in program participants.

6.    Develop service plan/participant savings plan to reduce risks and move participant to housing stability, including reducing emergency crisis’, identifying life skills training, job training, general education, credit repair plan, etc.

7.    Implement the service plan for participants, integrating counseling, skills training, mentoring, financial literacy education, supportive services, referral and advocacy as needed by individual participants.

8.    Provide and assist in organizing group education classes in the areas of life skills, financial management, and credit information that will assist agency participants in achieving self-sufficiency.

9.    Document all client contacts and contacts on behalf of clients within case record, including follow-up conferences and referrals to community agencies.

10.    Assist program participants in completing other paperwork (public assistance forms, tax forms, training or job applications, loan or credit applications).

11.    Plan and implement transition activities for participants prior to end of enrollment in program.

12.    Make periodic home visits and in-office visits as needed.

13.    Maintain knowledge of community resources and procedures for accessing resources.

14.    Calculate tenant subsidized rent payments in accordance with HUD regulations.  Reexamine tenant rent payments at least annually, or more frequently as determined by agency.

15.    Negotiate leases for approved transitional housing units with Jackson County.

16.    Complete inspections to ensure that rental units meet Housing Quality Standards.

17.    Make periodic visits with landlords as needed.

18.    Prepare and execute agreements between individual landlords and the agency.

19.    Ensure payments to landlords are made expeditiously and in according with agency Financial Policies and Procedures.

20.    Track all payments to landlords.

21.    Keep updated records in client tracking databases.

22.    Be available for other job-related tasks as requested by supervisor.

Essential Qualifications:
1.     Education:  Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social work or human services related area.
2.    Training:  As required for the program.
3.    Certification/Licenses:  Must have a valid driver’s license.
4.    Work Experience:  Minimum of four (4) years case management experience.  Extensive knowledge of resources for low-income and homeless families.  Experience working with Veterans and their families.  Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities for the position may be considered at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer.
5.    Transportation:  Must have access to reliable transportation throughout the workday.
6.    Basic Skills:  Must have working knowledge of English, grammar, spelling mathematical, verbal and written communication skills.  Must have knowledge of computers, Microsoft Office operations, publish and other programs as needed.  Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing and to collect, analyze and present information.
7.    Problem Solving, Decision-Making and Interpersonal Skills:  Independent judgment to complete routine tasks.  Establish and maintain positive relationships with people of all economic levels, cultures and capabilities.  Ability to work effectively with diverse community groups and professional groups.  Ability to present information and respond to questions from staff and general public by phone, in person, etc. in an articulate and professional manner.  Demonstrate flexibility in approach to administration, program needs, and problem solving.  Promote teamwork; participate as a team member with other agency staff and as part of interagency teams.
8.    Physical and Mental Capabilities:  Must be able to visit clients in their homes with frequent exposure to environmental hazards.  Able to work effectively under a variety of stressful situations.  Able to cope with changing focus to meet program needs.