Housing Specialist, Services for the UnderServed, New York, NY

Housing Specialist

Posted on: September 19, 2014
Application deadline: November 19, 2014
Posted by: Services for the UnderServed

COMPANY OVERVIEW

As a leading provider of residential and support services to individuals with special needs,Services for the UnderServed provides the resources you need to build on your experience amidst our culture of team support. Ongoing training and attention to your development help to ensure your success. Your achievements and leadership are rewarded by advancement opportunities. Our commitment to continuous quality improvement impacts the lives of our clients and communities while contributing to the development of our employees.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Housing Specialist, SSVF works a member of the social service team to provide Rapid Rehousing and Homelessness Prevention services to veterans/veteran families; functions as a bridge between veterans and housing providers to empower program participants to overcome barriers and meet the goals identified on their individualized housing stability plans; identifies safe, affordable permanent housing options for clients; fosters relationships with landlords and to link each program participant with appropriate community supports to ensure their housing stability.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engage program participants by maintaining regular contact to monitor and track progress and response to services, including home visits and field work.
• Establish linkages and maintain solid working relationships with permanent housing providers, real estate brokers, managing agents, and landlords as a resource for participants.
• Develop a housing bank of available units and housing opportunities for qualified veteran families.
• Assess veteran families' barriers to obtaining affordable permanent housing.
• Provide supportive social services including individual and group counseling, workshops, education, referrals, and escorting in an effort to prepare veterans for successfully securing and maintaining permanent housing.
• Assist veteran families with identifying and securing permanent affordable housing.
• Prepare and assist participants with the housing application/interview process.
• Provide accurate, complete, and timely documentation of the provision of supportive services and participant progression/regression toward the goals of securing permanent affordable housing.
• Track, monitor, and report housing placement rates for all participant families.
• Assist the social service staff in developing and implementing individualized housing stability plans with veterans/veteran families to address identified housing barriers for Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing services.
• Complete all necessary documentation to ensure compliance with funding requirements, and agency quality assurance standards.
• Advocate for veterans/veteran families at service providers and agencies in the community.
• Coordinate the provision of Temporary Financial Assistance with third-parties and agency personnel.
• Cultivate positive relationships with relevant funding and monitoring entities, faith based organizations, social service providers, and other community partners.
• Participate in appropriate community collaborations and activities.
• Participate in SSVF and Veterans Services team meetings.
• Respond to client needs promptly, accurately and with courtesy and respect. Model appropriate behavior. Represent the organization in a positive and appropriate manner to outside resources.
• Maintain the highest levels of confidentiality for clients and staff, restricting information to those who need to know only.

BENEFITS

We offer attractive compensation with comprehensive benefits including: Medical/Dental/Prescription/Vision/Life Insurance;403(b); Credit Union; FSAs; Short-and-Long-Term Disability; Transportation Plan; Generous Paid Vacations and Holidays

REQUIREMENTS

1. BA in Human Services or related field and one year experience in housing services or a combination of education and experience.
2. Experience with homeless families and/or veteran services highly desirable.
3. Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite required.
4. Experience with electronic database systems (such as the AWARDS system) is preferred.
5. Strong ability to network and negotiate with housing providers a must.
6. Solid organizational skills/strong communication and writing skills required.
7. Willingness to attend occasional events outside of normal business hours, including Veterans Day.
8. High energy level to complete assigned work and meet deadlines.

SUS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

HOW TO APPLY

Apply Here

Housing & Economic Advocate / Family Violence Victim Advocate, Domestic Violence Crisis Center, Norwalk/Stamford, CT

Housing & Economic Advocate / Family Violence Victim Advocate

Posted on: September 9, 2013
Posted by: Domestic Violence Crisis Center

DESCRIPTION

The DVCC, is seeking a Housing & Economic Advocate/ Family Violence Victim Advocate (FVVA) with English and Spanish fluency skills to provide direct services to clients at our Stamford and Norwalk locations. This is a full-time position.

POSITION SUMMARY: Housing & Economic Advocate

Responsibilities include but are not limited to, assisting clients in finding and retaining safe and affordable housing, supporting clients in increasing economic independence, advocating on behalf of clients with landlords and/or housing service providers, connecting clients to collateral community supports and engaging in community outreach.
 

POSITION SUMMARY: Family Violence Victim Advocate (FVVA)
The Family Violence Victim Advocate is responsible for providing services to victims of family violence crimes who are involved in criminal court and to advocate with law enforcement to improve the criminal justice system's response to crimes of family violence. Services include providing support, information and advocacy services designed to enhance the safety of the victim from the time of arraignment and throughout the court process, and serving as a liaison with the local police departments through training and advocacy to assist the police in their response to family violence.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree (mandatory)
• Fluency, both spoken and written, in English and Spanish (mandatory)
• Knowledge of community resources
• High motivation and strong organization skills
• Ability to function in a fast paced/crisis environment
• Valid drivers license and reliable transportation
• Must be able to lift 30-40 pounds
• Comprehensive working knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence, Safety Planning/Woman Defined Advocacy, the court system as it relates to domestic violence issues, criminal prosecutions.
• Knowledge of the court system, or an interest to learn.
• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with key court personnel, including judicial authority, prosecutors and other court personal.
• Assertive advocacy skills and a comfort with speaking up on behalf of a client in a high-pressured environment.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to gather information from and assist a diversity of victims
• Ability to be flexible and to juggle multiple demands.
• Ability to maintain service records, complete reports accurately and submit in a timely manner.

Salary range: $40,000-$45,000 per annum with excellent benefits.

Before applying, please review our website at www.dvccct.org, or our Spanish website at www.EsperanzaCT.org, for information regarding our organization.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your resume to employment@dvccct.org with the subject line "Housing/FVVA Advocate"