Bilingual Housing Search Specialist
Under the supervision of the Manager of Housing Search Services the Bilingual Housing Search Specialist (B-HSS) works with HIV + clients, triage staff, medical case managers, medical providers, landlords, housing authorities and property managers to provide intensive and comprehensive housing search and housing advocacy services to people living with HIV.
Representative Duties:
- Work with a caseload of 50-60 clients. Work with clients for up to 24 months to determine appropriate housing possibilities and create an individualized housing service plan including short and long-term goals associated with stable, affordable housing. Work with clients to set priorities and take steps toward reaching these goals.
- Actively engage with clients and medical providers on a consistent basis to collaborate in stabilizing housing and improve health outcomes for the client.
- Determine appropriate housing possibilities and create an individualized housing service plan including short and long-term goals associated with stable, affordable housing. Complete comprehensive assessment for each client, including individual housing stabilization plan, housing history, public health needs, social determinants of health, and potential barriers to housing.
- Enters assessments, progress notes and collateral contacts in the EHR system in a timely manner
- Collaborate services with Medical Case Managers and other service providers to coordinate care and better assist the client with housing stability and improving health outcomes.
- Attend all housing related appointments with clients, including interviews, appeal hearings, apartment viewings and lease signings.
- Work with clients to identify possible barriers to obtaining housing. Discuss criminal, credit and eviction history. Request CORI and credit reports with all clients willing to do so. Proactively plan strategies to appeal housing denials and present mitigating factors.
- Serve as a resource on affordable housing for all Fenway staff. Respond to questions and requests for housing information by Fenway staff. Serve as a guide to staff navigating the affordable housing system.
- Co-facilitate at least one of two weekly Housing Search groups for AAC clients. Provide housing information and application assistance to any client attending this group. 10. Maintain communications with housing authorities, property owners and private management companies responsible for administering affordable housing options. Contact these providers on a regular basis to remain informed of available housing, open waiting lists, eligibility requirements and application processes.
- Share information on housing opportunities with the Housing Search team, other AAC staff and clients on a weekly basis by updating existing housing search systems. Enter housing opportunity information into the database, update and create files, and contribute to the creation of a weekly blog post used to disseminate these updates.
- Attend weekly team meetings and come prepared to contribute to the conversation. Attend weekly administrative supervision and monthly clinical supervision meetings. Attend quarterly All Staff meetings. Attend staff trainings when offered.
- Meet agency participatory expectations
- Adhere to all agency and departmental policies and procedures
- Participate in quality assessment and improvement activities as requested
- Adhere to the highest principles of client confidentiality
- Adhere to established safety policies, procedures and precautions; enforce agency’s policies and clinical procedures, including safety and crisis procedures.
- Maintains professional competence necessary to perform job responsibilities; maintains and provides agency with records of continuing education activities
- Perform related duties and projects as assigned
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Bachelors, or associates degree OR 2+ years of equivalent experience
- Bilingual in Haitian Creole/ English or Spanish/English.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Working knowledge HIV/AIDS community trends harm reduction, and at-risk populations.
- Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with colleagues, patients, clients and vendors across the spectrum of diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, national origin and immigrant status, religious or spiritual identity, disability (physical, mental, emotional and developmental), veteran status, and/or limited English proficiency.
- Willingness to contribute towards Fenway’s efforts in becoming an anti-racist organization and promoting a culture dedicated to ongoing development in service of humility, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, where differences are acknowledged and valued
- We offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, and a retirement plan with employer match. We also provide 11 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with the provision of HIV services.
- Experience with affordable housing
- Experience advocating for clients with government assistance agencies, housing authorities, private landlords or realtors
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to meet the following physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodations:
- Sit at a computer station for extended periods of time
- Ability to keyboard for extended periods of time
We offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, and a retirement plan with employer match. We also provide 12 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more.
LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Highly experienced individuals may be compensated at a higher rate