Director of Housing Services

The Director of Housing Services is responsible for the leadership, operations, and collaborations of the Flexible Housing Pool (FHP)’s Housing Services Department. The FHP is a cross-sector investment and innovative program delivery strategy to increase housing resources in Chicago and Cook County for populations at the intersection of homelessness and other complex service needs. The Director will have oversight of the Housing Services Department which is the largest of three sub-teams within the FHP team’s structure. The Director of Housing Services is responsible for maintaining a diverse and quality affordable housing portfolio to ensure quick and successful housing placements for people experiencing homelessness. The Director will build and strengthen community relationships to increase housing stability for program tenants. The Center for Housing and Health is a supporting organization of AIDS Foundation Chicago.

The salary range for this role is $67,000 to $80,000 annually.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Landlord Portfolio and Housing Placement Oversight
• Foster and maintain a robust, equitable housing portfolio of Chicago and Cook County suburbs private market landlords; establish and maintain a sufficient number of units within Mobility Areas
• Monitor all monthly, quarterly, and annual housing placement targets to meet or exceed goals
• Establish and ensure landlord portfolio and housing placement metrics and outcomes are achieved
• Ensure all applicable Fair Housing laws and local and regional landlord-tenant ordinances are adhered; confirm all leased units meet established housing quality standards
• Affirm all master-leases and tenant-based leases are expertly executed; lease renewals are completed in a timely manner
• Incorporate and align AFC/CHH’s Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP)’s goals and objectives into all aspects of the Housing Services Department’s efforts
• Provide accurate and thorough reports to FHP leadership in a timely manner
• Oversee the management and utilization of the Landlord Database
• Ensure the program has a sufficient stock of quality and affordable “bridge” (SRO) units and hotel rooms for transitional utilization purposes
• Coordinate with Department staff and subcontracted organization staff to ensure timely housing placements and long-term housing stability
• Provide support to the Senior Director for budgets, grants, and expenses

Staffing and Supervision
• Provide direction and support to the Flexible Housing Pool (FHP)’s Housing Services Department; Supervise four (4) managers with a team of 17 direct service staff
• Strategically manage and implement the Department’s growth
• Hire, train, mentor, and supervise assigned management staff; support in the recruitment, selection, onboarding and on-going development of the Department’s direct services staff
• Create scheduling and job assignments; manage performance and, complete and communicate performance evaluations; recommend salary, disciplinary, and other personnel actions in accordance with personnel policies and procedures
• Support staff to reach targeted program goals
• Ensure all Housing Services Department staff members receive and engage in professional development opportunities

Collaborations and Community Engagement
• Direct cross-team collaborations among the Department’s sub-teams to ensure timely housing placements and long-term housing stability
• Provide meaningful engagement opportunities for the FHP’s landlords and property managers, i.e., Landlord Meetings, landlord trainings, newsletters, and other communications
• Lead intra-AFC/CHH Housing Department special initiatives to integrate and enhance landlord engagement projects, i.e., KEYS, IDPH-HOPWA projects, etc.; participate in the planning and development of new housing projects
• Collaborate and regularly meet with leaders across AFC/CHH departments impacting the Housing Services Department’s success, i.e. Rental Payment Processing, Data Services, Finance & Contracts; etc.
• Establish strong relationships with the FHP’s leadership organizations and subcontracted partners
• Develop and foster relationships with neighborhood groups; landlord associations; community partners; and/or elected officials to expand the FHP’s presence in the community
• Provide leadership and/or support to FHP Governance workgroups (i.e. Racial Equity, Lived Experience Advisory Committee, Sustainability), as determined by the FHP Senior Director;
• Lead or participate in committees of the Chicago Continuum of Care and/or other sector-related opportunities
• Build meaningful partnerships with the city of Chicago’s Department of Housing, Chicago Housing Authority, affordable housing partners, and the Statewide Referral Network to create pathways for long-term housing stability for FHP tenants

Other
• Assist with agency-wide activities as directed, including Annual Meeting, AIDS Run & Walk, and others
• Maintain and update job knowledge by participating in training and educational opportunities, reading professional publications, and participating in professional organizations
• Protect organization’s value and manage risk by keeping information confidential
• Perform other duties as assigned

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in this class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assignment of duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.


SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Four (4) Managers:
• Three (3) Landlord Engagement Managers
• One (1) Manager, Housing Placement


EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field and/or 3 or more years’ experience in Homelessness, Healthcare and/or Housing/Real Estate sectors
• Two years supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications
• Master’s degree in Human Services or related field
• Five or more years’ experience in Homelessness, Healthcare and/or Housing/Real Estate sectors
• Three or more years supervisory experience
• Established networks and contacts in the field

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Knowledge of Fair Housing laws and Landlord-Tenant laws/ordinances
• Knowledge of the homeless service system and other crisis service systems
• Ability to present to large groups, and a comfort level with presentations generally
• Excellent analytical abilities

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
• None

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment is representative of that found in a general office environment. Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (up to 10 pounds.) Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and on the telephone.

Some travel required within the city of Chicago, Suburban Cook County and occasionally nationwide.

https://aids-foundation-chicago.breezy.hr/p/f2801e6db6d8-director-of-housing-services?state=published