Comprehensive Housing Specialist (South County)

Partners in Housing Solutions (PHS) is dedicated to assisting individuals experiencing homelessness in securing and maintaining permanent housing through collaboration with rental property owners and community partners. Established in 2015, PHS has successfully housed over 1,300 individuals by fostering partnerships. The Comprehensive Housing Specialist – South County works with a network of partners and provides housing navigation and support for clients referred to PHS in South Santa Barbara County. Under general supervision, this role will be assigned specific cases to assist unhoused participants with housing-related case management, navigation, and retention services. This role also serves as a backup for various housing programs by performing duties to help support the housing team as needed. Knowledge of Santa Barbara County’s rental housing market, rules, and community resources is a must. A background or on-the-job training in property management and/or case management is essential to this position. The Comprehensive Housing Specialist will be familiar with internal and external programs and will be tasked with assisting in the coordination and streamlining of services. This includes building and maintaining relationships with partners, clients, and landlords. Most of the work will take place in the office environment and in the field. Must have transportation and insurance to conduct job-related travel.

Qualifications

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace (G-Suite)
• Experience with intake processes. HMIS experience is a plus.
• Must have transportation to conduct job-related travel
• Willingness and ability to occasionally travel throughout the county (Carpinteria-Santa Maria)
• A background in case management and/ or property management
• Must complete a successful background check and MVR
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required

Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• Support and endorse the mission of Partners in Housing Solutions (PHS).
• Attend staff meetings, trainings, PHS events, presentations, Housing Sessions, and interviews as assigned.
• Follow all PHS policies and procedures.
• Follow processes and procedures for government-funded programs, including but not limited to HMIS usage, documentation, and data gathering.
• Gain understanding of PHS programs, partner agency programs, community resources, and stay up to date with respective program requirements.
• Assist the team as needed with administrative, resource linkage, and housing-related tasks.
• Maintain and store files and documentation with PII/ PHI following the Confidentiality Agreement.
• Assist with and carry out housing navigation duties and landlord procurement.
• Establish and maintain new and existing relationships with landlords, agency partners, county staff, and stakeholders.

As assigned:

• Conduct client intakes using a person-centered approach, including VI- Assessments and HMIS intakes.
• Identify housing barriers, review income, create budgets, and help clients create and carry out a housing plan by connecting them to resources and services.
• Actively procure fair market rentals, affordable housing options, and stay up to date with rules and trends.
• Conduct housing inspections and home visits as needed.
• Provide retention services such as tenant training to housed clients, budgeting tools, resource connections, and monthly check-ins.
• Facilitate landlord-tenant mediation and help problem solve in conjunction with partners.
• Report weekly client updates.