SUMMARY.

The RRH Housing Liaison provides scattered site supportive housing services in the community to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing challenges due to moderate and high level barriers. S/he provides specialized coordination with the goal of supporting recovery, wellness services and community reintegration for individuals and families residing in permanent supportive housing. S/he is responsible for cultivating relationships with Landlords, Property Management Companies, Local Housing Authorities and Housing Partners to identify and procure safe, decent and affordable housing for H4H clients. In a challenging housing market and in service to clients who have histories homelessness, mental health challenges, substance abuse, criminal justice, and other traumas, this position is critically important to the success of H4H. This position requires a high degree of creativity, public relations skills, organization and ability to adapt services for person centered approaches.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

• Facilitates assessment and planning of Person Center Housing Plans to assess strengths and barriers in relation to securing permanent housing, as well as identifying the need for supportive services specific to the client.
• Identifies appropriate permanent housing options for clients, such as, subsidized housing, permanent supportive housing, affordable and market rate housing, and other housing opportunities.
• Assists clients with housing applications, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, survey rental market for affordable housing, and advocate for clients with prospective landlords.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with landlords, and management companies in the community for the purpose of securing non-traditional housing solutions for affordable housing.
• Provides support with move out process, which includes habitability inspections, donation referrals, and lease signings.
• Provides education to clients to support their successful transition into community.
• Assists with referrals to appropriate community resources to support each client’s housing stability
• Provides post-placement conflict resolution and mediation services for clients, as related to housing stability
• Provides support with move out and housing placement processes, to include coordination of all lease signing with client/team members/landlord, financial assistance procedures, HMIS documentation requirements, habitability inspections, furniture requests/purchases and transportation to new home.
• Maintains written and computerized records, compiles reports and completes other program documentation, to include case notes, data management, letters, grant requirements.
• Establishes and cultivates partnerships with community based support services, to connect clients to all available and appropriate resources.
• Collaborates with clients and team members in the formulation of comprehensive, person-centered service plans that are reviewed and modified with the client and team on a regular basis.
• Conducts ongoing assessments, collaboratively with clients and team, to guide ethical and targeted service delivery.
• Provides individually tailored services to each client—i.e. housing placement, independent living skills, vocational guidance, appointment escorts, integrated substance abuse and mental/physical health treatment, and counseling.
• Conducts home and community based visits.
• Assists clients with managing their monies, including preparing budgets with clients and computing expenses.
• Coordinates and monitors referrals to community services, and advocates for client’s participation in them.
• Participates in ongoing training requirements of the position, as well as other training that targets professional development needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION.

• Preferred- Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, or related field. GED and/or Associate’s Degree can be considered with supplementary experience.

EXPERIENCE.

• 1 Year of direct practice with individuals and/or families experiencing challenges related to homelessness, poverty, trauma, substance abuse, mental health, physical health, family relations, and access to resources. Direct practice experience to include interactions with community resources to meet diverse needs of clients.
• Shared Lived Experience is valued.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES. .

• Commitment to Haven for Hope’s mission and guiding frameworks of service delivery (1) Trauma Informed Practice (2) Recovery Oriented Practice (3) Person Centered Practice (3) Motivational Interviewing (4) Harm Reduction.
• Patience, creativity, flexibility, compassion and sensitivity to persons with disabilities and underserved populations
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, to represent Haven for Hope, recruit housing partners, and educate about how to support clients with histories of homelessness and traumas.
• Excellent administrative ability, to include organizational skills, attention to detail and strong computer skills
• Ability to be self-directed and to take initiative, which includes ability to discern when to seek supervision
• Strong creative and critical thinking skills, to include the ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, and project consequences of proposed actions.
• Ability to work collaboratively and be invested as a member of the assigned H4H Team.
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills
• Ability to engage with and sustain partner and client relationships
• Knowledge of local housing programs and requirements, and homeless services within the Bexar County area
• Familiarity with Federal and State Local Agencies involved in housing, and housing policy.

MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no direct managerial responsibilities.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must have a valid Texas Driver’s License, a good driving record, reliable transportation and proper insurance coverage on automobile used for work. Monthly reimbursement for applicable and documented work related expenditures is provided. Travel within the city and its surrounding areas will be required (if applicable). Expectation, if employed as a Peer Community Engagement Specialist, to become a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) within one year of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Standard physical activity such as periodic standing, walking, sitting, basic motor skills to access computer files for information or simple data entry.

WORK ENVIRONMENT.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate