New Moms

About the Job:

The Housing Locator Specialist is a key member of the housing team whose primary responsibility is to identify and cultivate housing opportunities to support families’ transition from transitional housing to permanent housing in the community. S/he will be developing relationships with landlords, identifying housing that is suitable to maximize the permanent housing success and provide short-term supports upon exiting from transitional housing in the community.  S/he will collaborate with team member who is supporting 15 families in a pilot program, Families in Transition, who are in scattered site permanent housing to ensure housing is maintained. This role works collaboratively with the Housing team and external partners to achieve program goals.  This position is located at New Moms in the Austin neighborhood, as well as spends extensive time in the community.   Salary $34-41K DOE.

Key Job Responsibilities Include:

1.  Works with participants to develop housing exit plans by meeting with them episodically during their 24-month residency with intensive services in the last 6-months before exit to help ensure they exit to permanent housing.
2. Identifies housing that is suitable to the individual needs of each participant including permanent supportive housing, low-income and market rate units and provides these resources to participants exiting from transitional housing participants to maximize the permanent housing success of participants.
3. Conducts outreach and engagement with landlords, permanent supportive housing and other subsidized housing programs to identify potential housing options that meet the needs of participants according to individualized service plans (via cold calls, follow-ups, unplanned drop-ins, in person meetings, email/mailed communication).
4. Works collaboratively with the housing team staff to support exit planning and appropriate resources that meet the needs of participants.
5. Facilitates housing readiness workshops and assists with monthly house meetings with transitional residents.
6. Once families’ exit transitional housing, provides short-term case management services for up to 6 months post exit to maximize housing by providing a monthly home visit and a monthly phone call that is focused on eviction prevention, crisis prevention, linkages and other supports to help ensure stability in the community.
7. Completed retention phone calls for up to 24 months post exit to permanent housing.
8. Acts as the liaison for all parties (landlords, property managers, CHLIFT team) including documentation, mediation and other related supports with the goal of keeping families housed.

The successful candidate will posses:

• Commitment to and passion for the mission of New Moms.
• Bachelor Degree required.
• 2 years in a social service setting required.
• Preference given to those with 2+ years of case management, outreach experience or other related experience.
• Broad knowledge of housing resources; experience working with landlords and housing residents with substantial barriers required.
• Expertise in an array of housing subsidy programs including HUD, PSH and Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund Programs.
• Endorses a “Housing First” philosophy which focuses on a Family-Centered, Trauma-Informed, Strengths-Based practice model that integrates harm reduction, motivational interviewing and positive youth development practices in working with young moms and their children required.
• High attention to detail and results-oriented approach to the work.
• Sound professional judgment and analytical ability, as well as the desire to work in a socially- and psychologically-pressured environment.
• Experience in the use of personal computers and Microsoft software applications.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and in writing.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, projects, and deadlines concurrently.
• Dynamic relationship-building skills to create and sustain fruitful relationships internally and externally.
• Daily access to a reliable car with valid insurance.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to work 1 evening per week and be on-call after hours at least 1 time per month.