Bilingual Housing Case Manager

Description

The Bilingual Housing Case Manager will provide high intensity housing search and housing support to help clients overcome barriers and access affordable, safe homes, to better their health outcomes. These supports are designed to increase housing retention. The Bilingual Housing Case Manager reports to the Program Director of Keys to Home.

Victory Housing Division provides life-stabilization services, intensive housing placement services and case management services to homeless families and individuals. Our program helps families and individuals obtain permanent, safe housing solutions, increase self-sufficiency, and gain skills which support housing stability.

Location: 29 Stanhope Street, Boston MA

Essential Functions:

• Act in accordance with Victory Programs, Inc.’s Standards of Excellence always, including maintaining professional ethics, boundaries and client confidentiality.
• Ensure that policies and procedures of the programs are followed.
• Work with a caseload of 30-35 clients. In an intensive 12–18-month process, the search specialist will work to determine appropriate housing possibilities and create an individualized housing service plan including short- and long-term goals associated with stable, affordable housing.
• Identify housing support needs; coordinate and advocate for appropriate support services and resources that will assist clients in optimizing health outcomes and housing stabilization, moving towards self-sufficiency.
• Work with clients to set priorities and take steps toward reaching these goals.
• Work with clients to identify possible barriers to obtaining housing.
• Discuss criminal, credit and eviction history.
• Request CORI and credit reports with all clients willing to do so.
• Proactively plan strategies to appeal housing denials and present mitigating factors.
• Attend all housing related appointments with clients, including interviews, appeal hearings, apartment viewings and lease signings.
• Work with clients on accessing, obtaining, applying for resources related to housing search and support for maintaining housing such as income support, health insurance support, identification documents etc.
• Develop a wide-ranging resource network for people living with HIV in the Greater Boston area. Provide coordination, linkage and follow-up with existing service programs to maximize access to services.
• Maintain communications with housing authorities, landlords and private management companies responsible for administering affordable housing options.
• Contact these providers on a regular basis to remain informed of available housing, open waiting lists, eligibility requirements and application processes.
• Work closely with clients on all phases of the subsidized housing process, including completing and following-up on housing applications, researching available apartments, accompanying clients to all related housing appointments such as interviews, apartment viewings, and lease signing.
• Formulate and document individualized housing service plans for clients.
• Assist clients in creating goals that are achievable, concrete, and measurable and time limited.
• Maintain timely and accurate records of all client work, completing all program required assessments.
• Maintain clear, concise and accurate client files and data-based records.
• Attend weekly team meetings, weekly supervision, monthly clinical supervision meetings.
• Attend All Staff meetings, monthly staff trainings, program collaborative meetings, attend staff trainings when offered.
• Provide housing search groups to program staff, clients of programs.
• Research and identify available rental opportunities, educate clients about the requirements to qualify; obtain and submit required documentation, and assist clients in the application process for available units and waitlist.
• Participate and support the agency in program holiday events, State House rallies, fundraising and advocacy events, HIV/AIDS rally and walk, and any additional functions.
• Attend weekly staff meetings, in-service training and agency workshops.
• Attend additional training as requested by your supervisor to enhance skills.
• Perform any other duty or task that may be requested by a supervisor or the Program Director.
• Represent Victory Programs, Inc. in external meetings, as requested.

Qualifications:

Bachelor degree with 1-2 years’ experience preferred, or High school diploma with 3 or more years of client advocacy experience. Relevant experience may include:

• Housing search.
• Housing retention.
• Case management.
• HIV services.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish, Haitian Creole) required.
• Experience advocating for clients with government assistance agencies, housing authorities, private landlords or realtors preferred.
• Openness to harm reduction philosophy.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively as a member of a professional team.
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong computer skills, including Google office suites and Internet use.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in multicultural settings with diverse client groups, including people with mental health concerns and substance use disorder.
• Must be CPR certified (may be obtained upon hire)
• Complete TB screening (may be obtained upon hire)
• Three strong work related professional references; at least 2 from manager or supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A valid Massachusetts driver’s license with a safety driving points of 00, 99, 01, 02, or 03.

Position Type: Full-Time position (40 hours weekly) Monday - Friday 9am-5pm. Hybrid eligible.

Rate: $27.04/hr

Victory Programs values a diverse workforce, as we collectively seek to create welcoming, inclusive and accessible environments for our employees and the people we serve. We strive to sustain healthy, functioning communities that respect and celebrate different experiences, identities, cultures and ideas.

Victory Programs has helped individuals and families in crisis for over 45 years. Thousands turn to us yearly for shelter, sustenance, recovery, care, and professional, compassionate support. Most struggle with homelessness, substance use and mental health, and many live with HIV/AIDS. Our team of more than 300 staff across over 30+ programs works with people to develop and execute creative, safe solutions to the very real challenges our clients face.

Our benefit program includes a 75% health and 25% dental employer premium contribution, 100% employer paid disability and life insurance. Victory Programs offers a generous paid time off package to employees working 20+ hours a week including vacation, sick, and personal time as well as holidays. Upon hire, employees working 20+ hours a week are entitled to up to: 4 personal days, 160 sick hours, 10 holidays and 3 1/2 weeks of vacation. These figures adjust based on full time or part time status and allocated vacation time increases with length of employment.