Job Type Full-time Description The Housing Stabilization Coordinator is responsible for locating and navigating relationships between clients and landlords, developing and maintaining property and landlord database to assist clients in finding appropriate housing placements, providing educational support designed to increase housing retention, providing housing advocacy as needed and providing aftercare services that help to support retention in permanent housing. The Housing Stabilization Coordinator reports to the Program Director of Steps to Victory and meets for weekly supervision and programmatic assignments. Location: The Paths to Victory Program supports individual and families who are experiencing homelessness and individuals exiting recovery services whom are considered unsheltered/homeless upon their exit. Essential Functions:
- Act in accordance with Victory Programs, Inc.'s Standards of Excellence at all times, including maintaining professional ethics, boundaries and client confidentiality.
- Provide supportive and empathic individual housing search sessions with clients, including documentation of housing search sessions and assistance with the completion of all housing applications.
- Develop, implement and facilitate housing groups.
- Supports with the development and coordination of systems for follow-up/outcome measurement for up to 24months post housing placement.
- Supports with the formulation and documentation of individualized housing plans for clients who are receiving intensive housing search coordination. Goals need to be achievable, concrete, measurable and time limited.
- Obtain signed consent to support and empower clients with the coordination of referrals and housing search, services that may include direct advocacy and support to coordinate with other aspects of the client's treatment.
- Conduct outreach to potential landlords, housing authorities and property management/managers.
- Conducts monthly housing meeting with the housing search and stabilization team to introduce and review local and statewide housing availability, updates housing regulations and review other housing resources.
- Provides opportunities for housing mediation when needed (leads the mediation in efforts to retain housing placement and landlord relations.
- Understands and has knowledge of both federal and state housing regulations
- Accompany clients, as needed, to housing related appointments.
- Maintain an up to date housing resource database.
- Work collaboratively with other housing support staff to ensure client housing needs are met.
- Attend weekly, monthly and annual housing informational meetings, sessions.
- Complete all client records in a thorough and timely manner.
- Maintain clear, concise and accurate client files/records.
- Complete any additional agency or funder reports as requested by your immediate supervisor or other designated person.
- Maintain contact with other internal and external client providers, including, but not limited to counselors, case managers, and housing providers.
- Attend housing trainings as requested.
- Responsible for the joint effort in enforcing all policies and procedures of the program.
Non-Essential Functions:
- Attend weekly staff meetings, in-service trainings and agency workshops.
- Attend additional trainings as requested by your supervisor to enhance skills.
- Participate and support the agency in program events, State House rallies, fundraising and advocacy events, HIV/AIDS rally and walk and any additional functions.
- Perform any other duties or tasks that may be requested from time to time by your supervisor or his/her designee.
Qualifications: Bachelor degree with 1-2 years' experience preferred, or High school diploma with 3 or more years of client advocacy experience. Relevant experience may include:
- Housing search.
- Housing retention.
- Case management.
- HIV services.
- Experience advocating for clients with government assistance agencies, housing authorities, private landlords or realtors preferred.
- Openness to harm reduction philosophy.
- Ability to work independently and cooperatively as a member of a professional team.
- Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Strong computer skills, including Google office suites and Internet use.
- Demonstrated ability to work successfully in multicultural settings with diverse client groups, including people with mental health concerns and substance use disorder.
- Must be CPR certified (may be obtained upon hire)
- Complete TB screening (may be obtained upon hire)
- Three strong work related professional references; at least 2 from manager or supervisor.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bilingual (English/Spanish, Haitian Creole) preferred.
- A valid Massachusetts driver's license with a safety driving points of 00, 99, 01, 02, or 03.
Position Type: Non-exempt, Full-time On Site Position (40 hours weekly) Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Rate: $26.00 hourly Victory Programs values a diverse workforce, as we collectively seek to create welcoming, inclusive and accessible environments for our employees and the people we serve. We strive to sustain healthy, functioning communities that respect and celebrate different experiences, identities, cultures and ideas. Victory Programs has helped individuals and families in crisis for over 45 years. Thousands turn to us yearly for shelter, sustenance, recovery, care, and professional, compassionate support. Most struggle with homelessness, substance use and mental health, and many live with HIV/AIDS. Our team of more than 300 staff across over 30+ programs works with people to develop and execute creative, safe solutions to the very real challenges our clients face. Our benefit program includes a 75% health and 25% dental employer premium contribution, 100% employer paid disability and life insurance. Victory Programs offers a generous paid time off package to all employees including vacation, sick, and personal time as well as holidays. Upon hire, all staff are entitled to up to: 4 personal days, 160 sick hours, 10 holidays and 3 1/2 weeks of vacation. These figures adjust based on full time or part time status and allocated vacation time increases with length of employment. Salary Description $26.00/hr