The Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida·Orlando, Florida
The Housing Specialist provides specialized housing services to homeless individuals and families using a Housing First approach. Responsibilities include managing a caseload, developing personalized housing plans, and coordinating community resources and benefits.
Housing
Specialist
Reports To:
Manager of
Housing
Status:
Full
Time
Hourly
OVERVIEW: Under the Direct supervision of the Manager of Housing Specialists, the Housing Specialist will provide housing focused specialized services to homeless individuals, and families. The Housing Specialist will be using housing first approach, and best practices in all interactions with guests. The Housing Specialist follows established low barrier guidelines to create a safe and stable environment for individuals and families entering the program. The Housing Specialist should adopt and practice the following models; Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Progressive Engagement, Person Centered Case Planning, Harm Reduction, among others HF emerging models. The Housing Specialist requires a high degree of ethic, compassion, professionalism, commitment, flexibility, accountability, and adaptability in order to effectively uphold Coalition Values and maintain an environment of dignity, respect and cooperation.
Key
Responsibilities:
Maintain an approximate caseload of 25 to 35 guests.
Facilitate immediate needs connections such as resources on housing, relocation, family reintegration and other creative solutions. Also connection with mainstream benefits such as support with enrollment and/or employment opportunities to increase income and linkages to community resources while seeking affordable housing options.
Evaluate cases in HMIS immediately towards identifying individual options such as Chronic Homelessness, Disabilities, Diversion Services Provided, Double Dipping of providers, HOPWA eligibility, YOUTH RRH, etc.
Attend HSN registry meetings for chronic homelessness and or rapid re-housing as needed.
Coordinate meeting with newly assigned or transferred guests immediately.
Work collaboratively to develop a Housing Personalized Plan (HPP) with guests towards identifying housing options and or creative solutions to homelessness crisis, based on individual preferences, choices and strengths.
Complete monthly exit reports in U Drive based in case summaries thoroughness.
Evaluate and adjust Housing Plan any time action steps are completed and new goals/steps arise. Requires accountability and ongoing follow up’s.
Empower guests to become proactively involved in their own housing planning and goals setting while motivating them constantly.
Complete case notes on every face to face/ telephone/email contact with guest or collateral contact within 24 hours.
Complete all individual service transactions in HMIS.
Regularly schedule appointments with guests to ensure that they are on target with their Housing Plan.
Maintain and submit data required for all monthly reports, including VOCA, referrals, etc.
Distribute referrals as needed and check with referral agencies for follow up information when needed. Referral’s may include resources for immediate housing placement, day care, tangible goods, health care, employment programs, and behavioral health among others.
Work in collaboration with programs and all other agency staff to facilitate a team environment and effective guest oriented quality services.
Maintain client files accordingly to grants requirements. (Case Notes, Case Plan, Incomes, Budget, Housing, etc.
Request “Staffing Sessions” to Supervisor of Housing Initiatives. Bring Staffing case notes or details to the meeting towards a better advocacy and general presentation of the case.
Read communication book every day and address matters concerning to your guests in a timely proactive manner.
Participate and Follow up Dorms Inspections findings in a regular basis.
Consistent role model effective team player behaviors.
Demonstrate effective communication skills in building relationships with all coworkers and guests.
Availability to “Fill in” or support other guests as needed.
Maintain strict confidentiality of all agency information. Including guests, colleagues, agency process, etc.
Immediately address and investigate all Incident Reports involving your guests and document thoroughly on service point.
Conduct cases discharges before 3 PM.
Assist with the general operations as assigned by the Director of Case Management.
Adhere to Coalition policies, procedures, and best practices.
This job description does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. This description excludes the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to essential job duties. All duties, responsibilities, and requirements are vital to the job. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" employment relationship.
Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in social services or equivalent experience, with a preference for 2-3 years in homeless services. Proficiency in case management, HMIS, and communication skills is required.
Market context
In Florida, behavioral-health roles are typically in steady demand across community clinics, schools, and care settings serving diverse populations. Competition often centers on licensure status, supervised experience, and the ability to work well with interdisciplinary teams while applying mental health ethics and cultural awareness. Review the full posting carefully and confirm your Master’s degree, Registered Intern License, and communication experience; this platform’s AI-summarized requirements and benefits can save you time by condensing the original job description.
