Housing Retention Specialist

Job description

ABOUT US: - We believe that everyone deserves a home! Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness. But we didn't stop at providing housing. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness - especially those who have been on the streets the longest - to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get, and stay, on the path to a permanent home. Reporting to the Assistant Program Director, Light Touch Services the Housing Retention Specialist implements “light touch” supportive services and through their interventions promotes and fosters long term housing stability, prevents eviction, and return to shelter. The Housing Retention Specialist carries a caseload of up to 20 households, including formerly homeless families and individuals with special needs or who are at risk of eviction as a result of rent arrears or other lease violations. The Housing Retention Specialist conducts home visits on a weekly basis, upon move-in, and during the first 1-3 months. As households settle into their new homes, levels of services will be adjusted accordingly, and ongoing, so that services are right-sized for each household. Efforts are largely preventative in nature focusing on maintaining benefits/subsidies and avoiding rent arrears, referral to community-based services, community integration. The Housing Retention Specialist is the liaison between on-site social services and property management staff. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Conduct regular home visits in tenants’ apartments • Escort tenants to appointments as needed • Conduct initial and ongoing assessments to assess observed and self-identified needs, and create mutually agreed upon service plans • Provide assistance obtaining and maintaining entitlements and benefits including advocacy and guidance with subsidy recertification, Public Assistance, SSI/SSDI, voucher renewal, and SCRIE/DRIE applications and renewal • Promote financial literacy through group programming, workshops, and individual sessions. Topics include assistance with creating and managing a household budget, referrals to financial repair services, etc. • Connect tenants to short-term rental assistance by referring households in need to the local Homebase provider and other rental assistance programs • Provide education and guidance around lease responsibility including expectations around being a good neighbor, rent obligations, use of the unit, safety, etc. • Collaborate with building management during regular meetings to address any concerning issues raised by building management or other tenants • Provide referrals to community based primary care and behavioral health services • Support education and job training including workshops, individual counseling, referral to educational resources including GED support, and referral to vocational preparation resources including resume assistance and job training/placement programs • Provide DV/IPV support including crisis intervention, safety planning, and connection to community resources for ongoing services and support • Assist with tracking school attendance and school interventions • Maintain record keeping in compliance with agency standards as well as those of City and State agencies • Perform other duties as assigned MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field required, MSW preferred • Minimum 3 years of experience working with formerly homeless individuals and families • Housing-based case management experience strongly preferred • Demonstrated understanding of behavioral health, and is familiar with best practices in mental health and substance use recovery which are rooted in harm reduction • Ability to positively engage with residents who present with special needs • Strong collaborative skills; ability to work successfully with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders • Excellent interpersonal skills, creativity, and problem-solving ability • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams, experience with electronic case records, Foothold/AWARDS a plus, and ability to learn new programs EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled