Full Time
$18.50 - $23.70
Outreach
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 4:30pm
Pierce County's First Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic;
Comprehensive Life Resources is looking for a passionate Housing Specialist to join our Foundational Community Support team in Tacoma, WA.
We offer: Medical, dental, and vision with 100% paid premiums for employees, 11 paid holidays, Mileage reimbursement, 403(b)-retirement plan, and Tuition Assistance, Continuing education programs, and Health club reimbursement, Paid Sick Leave
Function:
This position carries out the community-based case management and “support services” of the Foundational Community Support (FCS) program by assisting individuals experiencing housing barriers due to chronic homelessness, substance use, mental illness, and/or chronic physical illness to obtain and maintain housing that is consistent with their goals. The FCS Supportive Housing Specialist serves as a member of the organization that welcomes, engages, and serves individuals with complex wellness needs, as well as builds strong relationships in the community with landlords, social service agencies, and other partners.
Responsibilities:
- Effectively assist participants in achieving housing stability.
- Actively participate in trainings, consultations, meetings, and activities as required by the program. Have up-to-date knowledge of fair housing and tenant/landlord laws.
- Be an active participant with the CLR interdisciplinary team and ensure ethical and professional standards of care.
- Complete all required documentation in a timely and accurate manner - including, but not limited to, progress notes, participant eligibility, enrollment, and tracking. Maintain clinical records in accordance with company policies and procedures, as well as FCS fidelity criterion.
- Facilitate Person Centered Planning and strengths-based approaches to determine housing goals; recommend appropriate services to achieve goals; and oversee the program and goals agreed upon. Revise as necessary.
- Assist participants in achieving the highest level of independent functioning while receiving services.
- Provide services in accordance with CLR policies, FCS fidelity criterion, and principles of safety and trauma-informed care.
- Follow up on participant progress, providing encouragement as needed.
- Establish and maintain good working relationships with participants, referral agencies, landlords and all team members. Serve as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants, as well as between participants and neighbors.
- Assist with screening of referrals for appropriate program and service options.
- Conduct other services and activities in accordance with Foundational Community Supports program guide and fidelity criterion.
- Explain and provide written information on coordinated entry process to eligible and ineligible participants so they may access as many resources as possible.
- Participate in meetings, staffings, and other activities as directed to promote and review the effectiveness of Individual Housing Plans.
- Use informal community networks, as needed, to locate housing and make referrals as necessary in support of Individual Housing Plans.
- Understand and perform duties within compliance with State and Federal Fair Housing Laws.
- Provide pro-active follow-up home visits to ensure stability and further progress towards self-sufficiency; this includes support, advocacy, reducing isolation, listening, problem solving, and identification of resources to assist with reintegration of participants in the community.
- Coordinate and/or provide supportive services needed by the participant to achieve and maintain stable housing.
- Establish and document participant housing requirements. Determine the participant's household strengths and barriers that may limit the housing options available to the household. Gather and record information about the participant's prior housing situation in order to identify and coordinate an effective and acceptable housing search for the participant.
- Develop housing searches, locate landlords willing to rent to participant, perform housing inspections and all other housing related tasks required to permanently house participant.
- Ensure that participants receive the assistance needed to promote housing stability
- Assist participants in identifying goals and building plans towards achieving those goals.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services (Psychology, Behavioral Science, Sociology, Human Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, etc.) preferred.
- 1+ years’ experience working in the human services or related field
- Washington State credential/license, or ability to obtain an agency affiliated counselor registration.
- Valid Washington State driver’s license; proof of insurance. Must have access to a vehicle and be willing/able to travel frequently throughout the community to meet and transport participants.
Comprehensive Life Resources is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, veteran status, disability status, and any other applicable legally protected characteristics and or class.
