Consumer Advocate, Transition

90 Sands, 90 Sands Street, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
Job Description

Posted Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 4:00 AM
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. 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 Senior Consumer Advocate, Transition, the Consumer Advocate, Transition provides guidance and support to clients through the move-in process into permanent housing. The Consumer Advocate, Transition builds relationships with clients by utilizing motivational interviewing and their lived experience to support, encourage, and assist clients toward obtaining housing.
The Consumer Advocate, Transition escorts clients to housing interviews and viewings and enters all required data into required databases. The Consumer Advocate, Transition provides post-move-in support ensuring that clients are acclimating to their new home and helping navigate community resources.
Responsibilities

Provide support to ensure clients are prepared for the housing process by conducting mock interviews.
Draw on lived experience of homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues to build rapport with clients and develop appropriate service connections.
Escort clients to housing interviews and viewings.
Provide clients with support on move-in day into permanent housing, ensuring client is safe, secure, and has the necessary items.
Provide clients with community resources (pre and post-move-in), as needed.
Conduct health surveys before move-in and every six months for two years and update the tracker.
Maintain records in compliance with agency standards and those of City, State, and Federal agencies.
Document all client interactions in the AWARDS database system.
Attend clinical supervision and training.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Minimum two years of experience working with homeless adults and substance use issues preferred.
Lived experience with homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues, and willingness to appropriately use lived experience as a tool for building client rapport and developing service connection preferred.
Knowledge of local benefit agencies (e.g., Public Assistance) and familiarity with substance abuse, mental health, immigration, and employment resources.
Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders.
Valid NY, NJ, CT, or PA driver’s license with a good driving record, as defined by Breaking Ground, is preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams required, and familiarity with the AWARDS database preferred.

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