Center for Alternative·New York
The Housing Specialist provides community-based treatment and support to individuals with serious mental illness to help them obtain and maintain stable housing. Responsibilities include submitting housing applications, coordinating with providers, and participating in a multi-disciplinary ACT team.
Job Title: Housing Specialist
The Housing Specialist is a Bachelor’s level clinician who outreaches clients in the community to provide treatment and services with high fidelity to the ACT model. The Housing Specialist provides psychoeducation and support for clients’ housing needs, including but not limited to: submitting HRA2010e supportive housing applications, coordinating with shelter or current housing provider for clients’ housing needs, assessing and promoting clients’ housing readiness, exploring clients’ skills and needs in obtaining and maintaining independent living, advocating for clients to receive the appropriate level of housing as well as supports in their living environments. Specific titles do not limit the scope of clinical services that the staff member provides as ACT staff are both generalists and specialists, based on their areas of experience and interest.
The purpose of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is to deliver comprehensive and effective services to individuals (age 18 and up) who are diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) and whose needs have not been well met by more traditional service delivery approaches. These individuals also suffer from co-occurring substance use disorders and may have histories of criminal legal system involvement. ACT is an evidence-based practice that provides an integrated set of other evidence based treatment, rehabilitation, case management, and support services delivered by a mobile, multi-disciplinary mental health treatment team to support recipient recovery through a highly individualized approach that provides recipients with the tools to obtain and maintain housing, employment, relationships and relief from symptoms and medication side effects.
Salary: The salary for this role is $63,654
2090 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10027. Our office is easily accessible by public transportation.
Flexible - Staff have the flexibility to complete their workday from home or another suitable space, typically after reporting to the office and/or engaging in field or community-based work
Provide at least 80 percent of treatment contacts in the community and complete expected minimum monthly treatment contacts, including leading groups when clinically indicated
Attend and participate in daily team meetings to discuss clients’ clinical and case management issues and needs
Complete documentations required by the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s (DOHMH) licensing guidelines, NYS Medicaid billing guidelines as well as per CASES ACT Policy and Procedures
Collaborate with client’s support network and other service providers on treatment planning, service coordination, and case management support with the goal of helping clients obtain and maintain stable housing
Provide support and assistance for clients’ housing needs, including but not limited to: identifying housing risks and needs for clients, submitting housing applications and referrals (HRA2010e), preparing clients for housing interviews, escorting and supporting clients in attending housing interviews
Provide clinical services that are anti-racist, gender-responsive, culturally humble, traumainformed, recovery-oriented, client-centered, and evidence-based
Complete required documentations and toxicology tests for clients with active Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) order
Provide 24-hour crisis intervention on-call services on rotating basis
Provide culturally competent services in accordance with CASES policies and practice.
PEOPLE| Hold people’s stories with dignity
UNITY| Commit to a shared mission
RESPECT| Celebrate the strength of diversity
PROGRESS| Always work to improve
OPTIMIZE| Make the best use of resources
SOLUTIONS| Work together to solve problems
EMPATHY| Seek to understand others
Although we would love to learn about the skills of every candidate, only selected candidates that are selected will receive a response. We encourage you to apply for any position(s) you feel you are qualified for.
CASES is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with CASES is based solely on qualifications and competence for a particular position without regard to race, color, ethnic or national origin, age, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or marital, military, or citizenship status. We also actively recruit individuals with prior involvement in the criminal legal system.
Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm 35 hours per excluding breaks
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree and experience working with individuals with serious mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorders. Familiarity with HRA2010e supportive housing applications and the ACT model is required.
Market context
In New York, housing specialist openings often reflect ongoing demand from agencies serving tenants, shelters, and community housing programs. These roles are competitive because employers usually look for both client-service experience and familiarity with housing processes, along with basic computer skills and readiness for CPR and First Aid training. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your application to show any housing, real estate, or tenant-support experience.
