Housing Specialist
Volunteers of America Los Angeles, Fullerton, CA, United States
Volunteers of America is a non‑profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans’ services, homeless shelters, low‑income housing, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at www.voala.org.
PAY RATE:
$23.53 - $24.77 Per Hour BENEFITS:
VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits.
JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE
The Housing Specialist is responsible for identifying suitable housing options for program participants and their families, and assisting the participants to achieve sustainable and healthy independent living. Part of the services team for the program, the Housing Specialist participates in all stages of client service: assessment, services planning, engagement and delivery. Assists program case management, outreach and community engagement as directed.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Identify and locate housing options suitable for homeless participants, including referral to VOALA shelters as appropriate;
Creates and maintains a housing database linking tenants to apartments
Communicates with landlords and familiarizes them with the VOALA programs and the unique needs of participants
Conducts habitability and lead‑based paint inspections of housing options as needed
Works directly (one‑on‑one) with landlords on behalf of clients and the program
Develops support systems to meet individual client’s housing needs; coordinates and facilitates move‑in activities, rental negotiations, and service referrals as needed
Facilitates the use of community resources to assist both tenants and landlords in the event of problems leading to potential eviction
As a member of the program case management team, provides information referrals, crisis intervention, and assistance with permanent housing placement for participants;
Assists case managers in conducting comprehensive screenings and assessments to collect functional, environmental, financial, employment, housing, educational, and health information, as appropriate, to develop an Individual Service Plan
Coordinates follow‑up services with the case management team
Additional duties as assigned
MANDATED REPORTER
As service providers to the underprivileged and vulnerable in our community, all employees are considered Mandated Reporters, and must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse to proper authorities.
Qualifications REQUIREMENTS:
Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications
Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflicts dealing with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients, as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programs which may include clients with homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration, and other challenges.
EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services or related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and work experience (four years)
EXPERIENCE:
One year of experience working with veterans, people in recovery, and/or homeless individuals
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bilingual in English and Spanish (written and verbal)
Experience and familiarity using a HMIS (homeless database)
Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
This employer participates in E‑Verify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
If E‑Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.
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PAY RATE:
$23.53 - $24.77 Per Hour BENEFITS:
VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits.
JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE
The Housing Specialist is responsible for identifying suitable housing options for program participants and their families, and assisting the participants to achieve sustainable and healthy independent living. Part of the services team for the program, the Housing Specialist participates in all stages of client service: assessment, services planning, engagement and delivery. Assists program case management, outreach and community engagement as directed.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Identify and locate housing options suitable for homeless participants, including referral to VOALA shelters as appropriate;
Creates and maintains a housing database linking tenants to apartments
Communicates with landlords and familiarizes them with the VOALA programs and the unique needs of participants
Conducts habitability and lead‑based paint inspections of housing options as needed
Works directly (one‑on‑one) with landlords on behalf of clients and the program
Develops support systems to meet individual client’s housing needs; coordinates and facilitates move‑in activities, rental negotiations, and service referrals as needed
Facilitates the use of community resources to assist both tenants and landlords in the event of problems leading to potential eviction
As a member of the program case management team, provides information referrals, crisis intervention, and assistance with permanent housing placement for participants;
Assists case managers in conducting comprehensive screenings and assessments to collect functional, environmental, financial, employment, housing, educational, and health information, as appropriate, to develop an Individual Service Plan
Coordinates follow‑up services with the case management team
Additional duties as assigned
MANDATED REPORTER
As service providers to the underprivileged and vulnerable in our community, all employees are considered Mandated Reporters, and must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse to proper authorities.
Qualifications REQUIREMENTS:
Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications
Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflicts dealing with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients, as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programs which may include clients with homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration, and other challenges.
EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services or related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and work experience (four years)
EXPERIENCE:
One year of experience working with veterans, people in recovery, and/or homeless individuals
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bilingual in English and Spanish (written and verbal)
Experience and familiarity using a HMIS (homeless database)
Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
This employer participates in E‑Verify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
If E‑Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.
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