Housing Specialist I

Partners in Housing Solutions was established in 2015. The mission of PHS is to help people who are experiencing homelessness to secure and retain permanent housing through a network of private landlords. To date, the organization has housed over 1,200 people using a collaborative approach between landlords and social service agencies.

This is a full-time non-exempt position. We are seeking a dedicated Housing Specialist I to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a passion for assisting individuals in finding permanent housing and possess knowledge of property management and social work principles. The Housing Specialist I provides housing services to eligible participants experiencing homelessness throughout Santa Barbara County. Most of the work will take place at our Santa Maria headquarters and on the field. In conjunction with their support team, the Housing Specialist I assists participants to establish and carry out a housing plan. Services include but are not limited to:

• To help connect participants to permanent housing using a low-barrier approach.
• Assist participants in securing funding for security deposit and other housing-related costs.
• Post-Housing, retention service to help participants remain housed including mediation and connections to resources.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Verify the participant’s eligibility for services per program requirements.
• Conduct client intakes using a person-centered approach to identify housing barriers, review income, create budgets, and determine housing goals.
• Actively procure rentals and stay up to date with rules and trends.
• Establish and maintain relationships with landlords.
• Follow processes and procedures for government-funded programs including but not limited to HMIS usage, documentation, and data gathering.
• Conduct home visits and housing inspections.
• Offer participant tenant training, budgeting tools, and other resources to help them maintain housing.
• Provide mediation services to participants and landlords.
• Report and record participant updates weekly, attend all housing sessions, training, contractor, and team meetings.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 4 years of property management or case management experience or a degree in Human Services or related field.
• Must have transportation to conduct job-related travel.
• Must be willing to travel throughout the county (Carpinteria-Santa Maria)
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Must complete a successful background check and MVR
• Bilingual candidates are preferred but not required.

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ancestry; national origin; religion/creed; sex/sexual orientation; gender; gender identity/expression, transition; political affiliation or beliefs; disability, medical condition, marital status; military/veteran status; pregnancy and conditions related thereto.; or any other characteristic protected by law (as defined by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act — Government Code Section 12900-12996), except where such discrimination is based on a bona fide occupational qualification.