Housing Specialist

As the third-party administrator of the Flexible Housing Pool, the Center for Housing and Health (CHH) is charged with maintaining a portfolio of quality, readily accessible housing for program participants. The Flexible Housing Pool is a multisector investment in housing that aims to expand the number of units available to people in Chicago and Cook County experiencing homelessness.

The Housing Specialist will coordinate pre-tenancy support for participants of the program. The Housing Specialist will coordinate with Outreach and Cook County Hospital and Health System (CCHHS) staff to ensure program participants experience a seamless transition to housing. CHH is a supporting organization of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

The salary range for this role is $40,000 to $45,000.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Coordination

• Conduct screening and assessment of housing preferences/barriers related to successful tenancy

• Work closely with outreach worker to ensure continuity of services with participant

• Assist with rent subsidy application/certification and housing application processes

• Partner with CCHHS’ client outreach and engagement program team when a client’s’ primary service provider is within the CCHHS network

• Request reasonable accommodations related to participant’s disability

• Assist with housing search, including reviews of housing resources (e.g. newspapers, housing search databases)

• Accompany individuals to visit potential housing options and make choices among options

• Assist the individual in scheduling activities such as the moving company, turning on utility services, change of address, and purchasing furniture/furnishings and household supplies

• Work with landlord and/or property management to execute lease

• Sublease to tenants facing barriers to traditional leasing arrangements

• Collaborate with research and evaluation partners or sub-contractors on matters relating to the project

• Create and maintain detailed project documentation and data collection plans and reports

• Improve processes to ensure efficient communication and information exchange between team members and external partners

Quality Assurance and Data Entry

• Enter all intake data for new clients in client data tracking systems (i.e., Client Track, HMIS)

• Monitor data for quality control, correct missing or incorrect data on quarterly (i.e., IDHS, HMIS) and yearly reports (i.e., APR HUD)

Meetings & Training Facilitation

• Attend required conference & trainings (i.e., HMIS, CRS, IDHS, HUD or any system wide trainings) and webinars

• Attend and participate in monthly Agency meetings (i.e., Standard Operating Procedures Meeting, Client Track Work Group, Grants Prep meeting, Interdepartmental Training Workgroup)

• Prepare, coordinate, and facilitate program meetings (i.e., System Integration Team (SIT)) and other related partner agency meetings with partner agency staff

• Participate in applicable system-level external committees

Other

• Assist with agency-wide activities as directed, including Annual Meeting, AIDS Run & Walk, and others

• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; 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

None

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 2 or more years of Human Services experience OR 5 or more years Human Services experience

• PLUS Valid driver's license and acceptable vehicle insurance

• PLUS Reliable vehicle transportation

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling or related field

• 1 or more years of Case Management experience

• 1 or more of years Homeless Services experience

• 1 or more years of HIV-specific service experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• The ability to maintain accurate work records and access these records as necessary

• The ability and willingness to learn, understand and communicate the Agency’s policies and procedures

• Basic knowledge of HIV infection and related chronic diseases

• The ability to assess client needs, create plans (i.e., care plans, service plans, treatment plans), facilitate referrals, and follow-up in order to address barriers and ensure service is continuous and comprehensive

• The ability to use computer and web-based systems (e.g., PC-based tools, Microsoft applications, Web-based applications)

• The ability and willingness to respect and value the differences and perceptions of different groups/individuals

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands are representative of those 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 light weight (up to 10 pounds.) Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

https://aids-foundation-chicago.breezy.hr/p/e4e9357047c9-housing-specialist?state=published