Housing Specialist

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for connecting individuals with the support, resources, and services needed to achieve stability and success in the community. Safe and adequate housing is a fundamental basic need and a critical factor in reducing recidivism and/or return to shelter. Our Housing Specialists provide housing navigation, case management, advocacy, and resource coordination to help individuals locate, secure, and maintain safe and sustainable housing. The position works closely with clients, DHS, landlords, community providers, and Delphi Rise staff to coordinate services, address barriers to housing stability, support increased income and self-sufficiency, and help participants achieve their individualized goals.

This position is responsible for ensuring individuals transitioning to or living in the community have the support, resources, and services needed to achieve stability and successfully maintain their independence. Safe and adequate housing is a fundamental basic need, and a critical factor in reducing recidivism and/or return to shelter. Our Housing Specialists work hard to connect individuals not only to our 40-unit, scattered site project but also the wraparound supports they need to thrive.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

Additional duties may be assigned.

•Support individuals who are overcoming the challenges of homelessness, housing instability, and reentry following incarceration, with a focus on long-term housing stability and community reintegration.

•Assist program participants in locating, securing, and maintaining safe, affordable, and sustainable housing, including identifying and applying for low-income and affordable housing opportunities and providing follow-up as needed.

•Develop, implement, and assist clients in navigating an individualized Service Plan for all participants that builds toward maintaining permanent housing, increasing income, and improving financial self-sufficiency. Regularly review and update Service Plans in collaboration with participants.

•Provide direct case management services for participants who are not eligible for services through other community organizations.

•Carry and effectively manage a caseload of approximately 20 to 25 participants, ensuring consistent engagement, follow-through, and progress toward individualized goals.

•Maintain consistent contact with participants, including face-to-face contact at least once per month, to assess housing stability, identify needs, provide support, monitor progress, and determine when additional services or interventions are needed.

•Coordinate services and maintain ongoing communication among DHS, Delphi Rise, clients, and other appropriate service providers to promote continuity of services, effective case management, and timely follow-up.

•Conduct office, home, and community-based visits, including joint visits with other team members when appropriate, and use these visits to assess housing conditions, identify concerns, and support housing stability.

•Develop and maintain strong, professional relationships with local landlords and property managers to expand and sustain housing opportunities and support positive landlord-client relationships.

•Identify participant needs across housing, employment, education, health, behavioral health, and income domains. Provide advocacy, referrals, and resource coordination to address barriers to housing stability and support clients in achieving individualized goals.

•Assist clients with connecting to employment, educational, vocational, and job-training opportunities that promote increased income, self-sufficiency, and long-term housing stability.

•Monitor and document changes in client income and household circumstances and ensure information is updated accurately and timely in client records, Service Plans, and the monthly rent roster.

•Calculate and adjust client rent contributions as necessary based on changes in income, household circumstances, and program requirements, maintaining accurate supporting documentation.

•Complete and document comprehensive intake and annual assessments, including reassessments as required by funder or program standards.

•Maintain accurate, complete, timely, and confidential records in accordance with agency, program, regulatory, and DHS requirements utilizing the designated data platform. Documentation responsibilities include, but are not limited to, client contacts, minimum monthly follow-up case notes, Service Plan development and updates, income verification and tracking, housing status, housing applications, referrals, and other case management activities.

•Participate in and actively contribute to monthly Delphi Care Services Case Review meetings, presenting cases as needed and collaborating on service planning.

•Attend required local, state, federal, and community networking meetings and trainings as assigned.

•Actively contributes to agency strategic initiatives and support implementation efforts within housing services.

•Demonstrate a strong commitment to working as part of a diverse team and providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and person-centered services to a diverse client population.

•Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.  

Minimum Qualification Standards:

•Associate’s degree in a field relating to human services or criminal justice is strongly preferred; equivalent work experience will be considered

•Up to two years of experience working with clients with criminal justice involvement, mental illness, homelessness and/or addiction is required 

•Familiarity with and understanding of appropriate resources in the community is needed

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

•Computer proficiency including word processing, data entry, spreadsheets, and generating reports using standard software applications.

•Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

•Strong organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple projects and details simultaneously.

•Some analytical ability to gather and summarize data, find solutions to various administrative problems, and prioritize work.

•Ability to develop and maintain recordkeeping systems and procedures.

•Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials.

•Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports. 

•Strong written and oral communication skills to interact with customers, vendors and co-workers in a professional and helpful manner in person or via phone or written correspondence.

•Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-term goals.

•Ability to work productively in a fast-paced, stressful environment.

•Candidates must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain a clean driving record. The position may require occasional driving for meetings, appointments, or representing Delphi Rise in the community

Equipment, Machines and Software Used:

This position requires the regular use of a computer, printer, photocopier, fax machine, telephone, scanner, paper shredder, calculator

Computer Software: Microsoft Office to include Word, Outlook, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, Homeless Management Information System database (HMIS).

Mental and Visual Demand:

High mental and visual attention to solve complex problems and plan difficult work methods of highly complex and analytical procedures, policies and practices.  

Physical Demand:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, perform repetitive hand motion, push, pull.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move over 10 pounds and up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that may be encountered while performing the essential functions of this position.

There is exposure to adverse environmental conditions possibly when doing home visits. These may include weather events and home repair concerns/improvement needs of client’s domiciles. Work is performed in a typical office environment.  

Disclaimer:

•All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

•This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) occupying this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.  

•The company reserves the right to add to or revise an employee's job duties at any time at its sole discretion.

•This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Delphi Rise is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, veteran status, genetic information, arrest or conviction record as permitted by law, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Delphi Rise values the strength that comes from diverse lived experiences and encourages individuals with relevant lived experience related to homelessness, recovery, or reentry to apply and grow within our organization.