Housing Coordinator - BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION : Job Details

The Boston Public Health Commission's Homeless Services Bureau (HSB) provides emergency shelter, job training, behavioral health support, and housing services to unhoused individuals in Boston. We serve close to 5,000 individuals every year and are one of the largest providers of emergency shelter in New England and are the only shelters in the city open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. Our aim is to make homelessness in Boston rare, brief, and on time. We do that by problem-solving with new guests at the front door to prevent anyone from entering homelessness to begin with. For individuals who do become homeless we help them quickly find a safe place to go. Once housed, we provide in-home supports to ensure someone does not return to homelessness again. We use a Housing First framework, believing that housing is a basic need that everyone deserves and that everyone can succeed in housing. We foster evidence-based approaches such as trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and motivational interviewing in the delivery of our housing services and strives to ensure our services are as low-threshold and accessible to our guests as possible. Housing Navigators help clients quickly find permanent housing. To do that Housing Navigators engage clients in housing conversations, assess clients housing choices, needs, and barriers, ensure clients have required documents, and create strategies to help clients stay up to date on all possible housing options. Housing Navigators identify available units, accompany clients to view units, and coordinate move in logistics, and make referrals as necessary to help clients succeed in housing. The work is fast-paced and rewarding, and requires creativity, compassion, and commitment.DUTIES: Engages with all clients utilizing a Housing First approachResponsible for the day to day operation, supervision, and execution of housing servicesincluding housing information, assessments, referrals, and housing search and placement for individuals experiencing homelessness.Responsible for recruitment, training, scheduling, and direct supervision of assigned staff.Assists clients of Homeless Services emergency shelters in all facets of housing search and stabilization.Coordinates referrals to Boston Housing Authority and City of Boston's Coordinated Entry and other housing agencies and assists in placements and housing search process.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 clientsProvides follow up housing 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.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 New England Center and Home for Veterans), etc.) in providing on site housing search assistance.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).Transports guests to housing appointments.Maintains up to date and accurate service plans and client files.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. Provides substance abuse counseling to program participantsCollects data and prepares reports for funding sources and bureau.Bachelor's degree with minimum of one year supervisory and two years human service experience or College level course work equivalent to an Associate's degree with two years supervisory and three years human service experience.Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, (CADAC, CAS) or Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) preferred.Previous experience working with homeless, diverse ethnic and racial, and low-income populations with an understanding of mental health, substance abuse and recovery issues.Strong organizational and communication skills.Knowledge of Boston area social service agencies.Ability to work in a team atmosphere.Strong computer skills required.Valid driver's license and good driving record.Bi-Lingual/Spanish speaking preferred.