Job Information
Breaking Ground Housing Retention Specialist, Tenant Success Services in Jamaica, New York
Housing Retention Specialist, Tenant Success Services
147-25 94th Ave, Jamaica, NY 11435, USA
Req #2457
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
ABOUT US: - We believe that everyone deserves a home!
Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness.
But we didn't stop at providing housing. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness - especially those who have been on the streets the longest - to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get, and stay, on the path to a permanent home.
Reporting to the Assistant Program Director, Tenant Success Services t he Housing Retention Specialist implement s “light touch” supportive services and through their interventions promote s and foster s long term housing stability , prevent s eviction , and return to shelter. The Housing Retention Specialist carries a caseload of up to 20 households, including formerly homeless families and individuals with special needs or who are at risk of eviction as a result of rent arrears or other lease violations. The Housing Retention Specialist conduct s home visits on a weekly basis, upon move-in , and during the first 1-3 months. As households settle into their new homes, levels of services will be adjusted accordingly, and ongoing, so that services are right-sized for each household. Efforts are largely preventative in nature focusing on maintaining benefits/subsidies and avoiding rent arrears, referral to community-based services, community integration. The Housing Retention Specialist is the liaison between on-site social services and property management staff.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES A ND RESPONSIBILITIES :
Conduct regular home visits in tenant s’ apartments
E scort tenants to appointments as needed
Conduct initial and ongoing assessments to assess observed and self-identified needs , and create mutually agreed upon service plans
Provide assistance obtaining and maintaining entitlements and benefits including advocacy and guidance with subsidy recertification, Public Assistance, SSI/SSDI, voucher renewal, and SCRIE/DRIE applications and renewal
Promote financial literacy through group programming, workshops, and individual sessions . Topics include assistance with creating and managing a household budget, referral s to financial repair services, etc.
Connect tenants to short-term rental assistanc e by referring households in need to the local Homebase provider and other rental assistanc e programs
Provide education and guidance around lease responsibility including expectations around being a good neighbor, rent obligations, use of the unit, safety, etc.
Collabora te with building management during regular meetings to address any concerning issues raised by building management or other tenants
Provide r eferral s to community based primary care and behavioral health services
Support education and job training including workshops, individual counseling, referral to educational resources including GED support, and referral to vocational preparation resources including resume assistance and job training/placement programs
Provide DV/IPV support including crisis intervention, safety planning, and connection to community resources for ongoing services and support
Assist with tracking s chool attenda nce and school interventions
Maintain record keeping in compliance with agency standards as well as those of City and State agencies
Perform other duties as assigned
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field re quired , MSW preferred
Minimum 3 years of experience working with formerly homeless individuals and families
Housing-based case management experience strongly preferred
Demonstrated understanding of behavioral health, and is familiar with best practices in mental health and substance use recovery which are rooted in harm reduction
Ability to positively engage with residents who present with special needs
Strong collaborative skills; a bility to work successfully with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
Excellent interpersonal skills, creativity, and problem-solving ability
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams , experience with electronic case records, Foothold/AWARDS a plus, and ability to learn new programs
EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled
Other details
Pay Type Hourly
Min Hiring Rate $25.85
Max Hiring Rate $25.85
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- 147-25 94th Ave, Jamaica, NY 11435, USA