Housing Specialist

WHO IS CHI?

Community Housing Innovations (CHI) is a not-for-profit housing and human services organization that aims to support social and economic independence. Our vision is to end generational poverty and foster upward mobility by ensuring that all families and individuals live in quality housing, have a home of their own, and a job to support them. We believe quality, affordable housing is the foundation for prosperity, personal fulfillment, and success.

WHAT DOES CHI OFFER?

CHI employs a team of hard-working, compassionate people who want to give back to others in their community. We are proud to offer:

• Generous Paid time off
• Personal and Sick Days
• Health insurance and health reimbursement account 
• Dental and vision plans
• Flexible spending account
• AFLAC supplemental insurance
• Dependent Care Spending Account
• Commuter Transit and Parking Account
• Working Advantage- Employee Perks
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Monthly trainings and career development plans

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for ensuring that all program participants are provided with the services necessary to locate, acquire, maintain, and retain permanent housing.    Provide landlord outreach and advocacy, housing leads and applications.  Is knowledgeable about and accurately completes applications for housing subsidy programs.

Pay: $24.04 an hour- approx. $50,004 annually.

FLSA: Non-exempt. Eligible for overtime.

Schedule: 9am-5pm Tuesday - Saturday (off Sunday & Monday)

Schedule: 10am-6pm Sunday - Thursday (off Friday & Saturday)

Location: Rego Park Queens, NY

JOB-RELATED DUTIES – ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

           These duties are essential and specific to the successful implementation of this position.

•     Adheres to and enforces program regulations, policies, and procedures. Ensures that all clients are receiving quality services that are in compliance with the program.
• Assists clients in locating housing within their specified budgets.
• Provides information, referrals, direct service, and advocacy services for local housing pool.
• Develops and maintains a resource network for referrals as related to the housing; realtors, landlords, housing complexes and local Section 8 offices.
• Is familiar with NYC and NYS housing subsidy programs, supportive housing options, SROs and affordable housing.
• Collaborates with DHS, property owners, and other service providers, and shelter Case Manager to assist families in fulfilling ILP and program requirements.
• Mediates between clients and property owners or representatives.     
• Responsible for collecting and reviewing Housing Logs and informing case managers of any concerns related to documents. 
• Completes Housing Packets and Shelter Supplement Program paperwork.
• Submits all internal and external reports in a timely and correct manner as required by funding agencies and/or CHI (housing logs, unit inspection sheets, progress notes, as required by CHI and DHS.
• Completes progress notes, referral, and updates client’s CARES case.
• Maintains charts, files, and housing paperwork in an orderly fashion. 
• Always maintains clinical appropriateness.

What do I need to apply?

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field preferred. 3+ years’ experience in a related field assisting people with obtaining permanent housing can replace degree requirement. Must have at least two years’ experience working in a related field such as homelessness or housing.

• Must have working knowledge and insight into NYC housing resources including experience helping people find affordable housing and working with different NYC and NY State agencies and programs the facilitate permanent housing goals. 
• Communication:  Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  Proficiency in English required,
• bi-lingual (Spanish) is a plus.
• Computer skills:  Basic competency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook and the internet
• Math Skills:  Ability to formulate simple financial budgets
• Physical Performance:  Ability to make home visits (walk distances, climb several flights of stairs, etc.)
• Reasoning Ability:  Ability to prioritize, make appropriate decisions and judgment calls
• Other Skills:  Ability to relate to the underserved, homeless and disabled populations. Ability to work independently or as part of a team, be highly organized, assume responsibility, work well under pressure, meet deadlines, multitask, be flexible, and maintain a high level of attention to details.

DIVERSTY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Community Housing Innovations Inc (CHI) respects diversity and is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation marital status, partnership status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Community Housing Innovations is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This commitment applies to recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, compensation, training, assignments, benefits, employee activities, termination, access to facilities, and programs, and all other terms and conditions of employment as well as general treatment during employment.