Housing Assistant Coordinator

The Commission's Homeless Services Bureau, in existence since 1983, has extensive experience providing integrated primary health, substance abuse, and mental health services to homeless individuals. We offer transitional health and social assistance to homeless Bostonians, including emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing throughout the city and a broad range of rehabilitative services. Our programs are part of a continuum of care designed to help homeless individuals achieve independent living in permanent housing in the community. We are one of the largest providers of emergency shelter in New England, running two emergency shelters, which operate 24 hours a day 365 days a year, and providing more than 5,000 homeless individuals annually with food, beds, lockers, emergency clothing, health care, case management, and housing services.

Utilizing a Housing First framework, the housing search and placement department provides an array of programs and supports to help guest quickly find and move into permanent housing. The housing department provides housing search and placement services to homeless individuals looking for subsidized housing. These services are essential to help homeless individuals navigate the complexity in obtaining housing. Services include identifying available units, accompanying individuals to view units, negotiating directly with property owners, working with individuals to help them mitigate and address their barriers to accessing housing (e.g. criminal record), assisting individuals with completing all aspects of the lease-up process, securing rental start-up funds and making supported referrals to other types of move-in assistance as needed (e.g. furniture bank).

Duties

• Provides in-home and office based follow up housing placement and stabilization services to individuals placed in housing, including assistance with paying rent and utilities, helping to resolve landlord/tenant problems and connecting individuals with community resources and supports. Assists clients with obtaining furniture and moving into housing.
• Engages with all clients utilizing a housing first approach.
• Coordinates community integration activities for clients, teaching life skills and independent living skills necessary for succeeding in permanent housing.
• Hosts community-based housing agencies (BHA, HomeStart, etc.) in providing on site housing search assistance.
• Completes intakes and assessments on shelter guests to determine needs and eligibility for services and public benefits. Provides case management, crisis intervention and supportive counseling to clients.
• Transports guests to housing appointments.
• Provides case management, crisis intervention and supportive counseling to clients. Coordinates the delivery of services and referrals in areas of family reunification, DSS, obtaining benefits, etc. Provides support and assistance to clients with legal issues (probation, parole, courts).
• Maintains up to date and accurate service plan contacts, and progress note records for the department.
• Works in a multi-disciplinary team approach with other social service, work rehab and health services departments of the shelter. Develops and facilitates budgeting, money management and other life skills groups.
• Participates in weekly social service treatment team and other assigned meetings and trainings.
• Compiles records and statistical reports.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum one (1) year human services experience. College level course work equivalent to an Associate's degree with two (2) years human services experience or High School diploma/GED and three (3) years human services experience may be substituted for above requirements.
• Valid driver's license and good driving record.
• Previous experience working with homeless, diverse ethnic and racial, or low-income populations with an understanding of mental health, substance abuse and recovery issues.
• Knowledge of Boston area housing resources and social service agencies.
• Experience in transitional housing or community residential programs helpful.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Computer literacy preferred.