Housing Locator and Case Manager II

at  Catholic Charities Comm

“HELPING OUR COMMUNITY’S MOST VULNERABLE WITH SOLUTIONS THAT PERMANENTLY IMPROVE LIVES.”

JOB SUMMARY: Provides client advocacy for individuals and families in need of housing through various Catholic Charities programs in Maricopa County. Work directly with owners, landlords, and property managers within service area to identify housing opportunities for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Responsible for understanding rent subsidy programs (RRH, PSH, HOME TBA, Section 8, LIHTC) and explaining how they work to support individuals and families in housing. This includes educating prospective landlords, owners, and management firms on how assistance/subsidy programs work, services provided, and other benefits. Must become familiar with and develop relationships with other Community Action Agencies and those providing support services to maintain stable housing.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Education /Background: Minimum of a High School Diploma or Equivalent and 4 years of relevant experience. Bachelor’s degree in Social work or related field preferred. Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.
• Job Knowledge: Must have good interviewing and case recording skills, must be familiar with local laws, customs and cultures. Must be able to instruct vulnerable individuals in a way which preserves their dignity. Must be sensitive to cultural differences within the agency and community. Fluent in Microsoft Office Applications (Word & Outlook).
• Working Conditions/Physical Demands: Must be able to stoop, bend, squat, sit on floor and ambulate over uneven floor surfaces including stairs and steps. Must be able to visually and auditory assess and interact with clients to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Requires considerable work outside of the office and substantial driving. May lift up to 30 pounds.
• Other requirements:
• Valid AZ driver’s license, reliable transportation and ability to show proof of registration/insurance.
• Level One Fingerprint clearance or ability to obtain fingerprint clearance; must maintain clearance.
• You must be 21 years of age or older to drive on behalf of Catholic Charities.

HOURLY RATE STARTING AT $21.75 AND MAY INCREASE DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE.

Offering AMAZING benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life, Short-Term Disability, Vacation, Sick Time, 13 Paid Holidays, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), 403(b) + match, EAP and Pension Plan
We Value Diversity!

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Responsible for receiving referrals from Catholic Charities Maricopa County programs and engaging with the appropriate entity within 48 business hours, through home visits or telephone contact. Completes documentation regarding all contacts and information regarding the case.
• Responsible for outreach and engagement for clients through telephone calls, and ongoing communication with Supportive Services partners for those in need.
• Gathers client information to help determine appropriateness for housing programs in the community.
• Oversees the collection and review of all collateral information necessary to assess client eligibility for assistance under the Housing Program.
• Provides advocacy, supporting, encouraging, and advocating for client as needed.
• Works with the community resources and keeps current on available resources.
• Provides client and/or referring case manager with current resources to help them meet their goals to improve their lives to include financial education.
• Responsible for making community referrals and follow up.
• Responsible for creating a tracking system for referral outcomes, maintains records, completes reports, and collects data as required.
• Keeps informed and utilizes opportunities for personal growth.
• Gathers information for the household to determine most appropriate housing placement options.
• Provides accurate documentation of services, including identifying resources, writing progress notes, detailed summaries of all services and contracts and submits as required or outlined. Completes monthly progress reports and billing as required. Be familiar with and educate on Fair Housing, housing right laws and responsibilities—with the intention of mitigating potential tenant-related issues, including deterrence of evictions.
• Actively identify, engage, recruit and maintain relationships with private sector landlords including property managers and property owners to increase housing options for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and participating in permanent and rapid re-housing subsidy programs.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive outreach/ working relationship with stakeholders including other community members, especially landlords. Implement a landlord recruitment and retention plan.
• Identify housing options for individuals and families with criminal history, imperfect credit, mental health or other barriers to housing.
• Perform initial site visits at all prospective sites to ensure they meet guidelines for habitability standards. This is a visual inspection of the exterior of the building and the interior of a potential rental unit as required or needed.
• Maintain a database of landlords, and management firms working with programs. This database should include a list of amenities to each respective site. The list should also delineate each property’s category (i.e. market rate, affordable, permanent supportive, Section 8, etc.).
• Maintain awareness of changes in market and community processes that can impact services; bring forward prospective recommendations to deal with expected changes.
• Be aware and committed to Housing First, rapid rehousing, coordinated entry procedures, and other housing-based strategies for ending homelessness in order to educate private sector landlords of what programs entail.
• Where applicable, promote and assist landlords with the use of the ADOH AZ Landlord Incentive Project (ALIP) to address damages related to participation in eligible housing programs to maintain landlord participation.
• Develop a strategy for how information regarding available units will be equitably disseminated.
• Create a targeted communication/marketing plan tailored to landlords’ central motivations and concerns to promote their participation. This may include PSA’s, social networks, specific events, etc.
• Negotiate with landlords experiencing conflict to find compromise solutions to experienced problems, including outside mediation services for more serious conflict to help avoid eviction.
• Promote ongoing commitment to excellence and continual quality improvement to ensure the highest quality of services to our staff and clients.
• Performs other duties as assigned.