Housing Specialist I

SUMMARY: The Housing Specialist I shall provide direct services to enable eligible clients to locate affordable, safe and sanitary housing. The Housing Specialist will network with property owners, managers of housing units, and maintain a list of landlords that can readily assist our veterans.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Responsible for identifying and engaging landlords through a variety of methods in order to develop sufficient affordable housing stock for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) program.
• Assists eligible families in locating and renting suitable housing; computing and preparing financing arrangements and monitoring owner/tenant compliance with standards.
• Maintain linkage between Agency, landlord and client.
• Develop and maintain (i.e., update) a database/listing of available housing stock for clients.
• Responsible for coordinating and/or performing Housing Inspections.
• Makes referrals to agencies and departments for the resolution of applicant housing issues.
• Investigates tenant and owner complaints and conducts follow-up visits.
• Makes appropriate referrals for assistance when client’s needs cannot be met.
• Maintains required client, legal and administrative record and statistical data as required by St. Vincent de Paul CARES and program funders including use of HMIS.
• Responsible for collecting all necessary documentation for client files.
• Networks and collaborates with other agencies and represents the agency at community functions, which may include public speaking and presentations as directed by Program Manager.
• All other duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates a commitment to serve all people with respect and compassion.
• Works in a spirit of cooperation with all external and internal stakeholders.
• Will make a Commitment t o Serve all people with Respect , Compassion , and Cooperation.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• This position requires a minimum a bachelor’s degree in social work or related field.
• Minimum 2-years’ experience serving homeless or at-risk families and/or individuals in crisis.

SVdP CARES is a non-profit organization committed to ending homelessness: making it rare, brief, and one-time. With “Housing First” principles at the core, all SVdP CARES programs are built on the belief that everyone has the right to live in dignified and affordable housing with a healthy disregard for all community-perceived barriers to housing including employment history, criminal/credit background, mental health, addiction, or religious practices. SVdP CARES works to rapidly house those experiencing homelessness within 30 days and concurrently connect them to resources and stabilization support services to assist their needs. SVdP CARES serves 19 counties across 7,678+ square miles of Florida including Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Desoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, and Sumter counties. Everyone is welcome through our doors, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, and gender identity.