Housing Resource Specialist
Broad Street Presbyterian Church Compass Program
Contact: Tracy Ross, NM Director tross@bspc.org 614-221-6552 Ext. 207
COMPASS, a mission program under Broad Street Presbyterian Church Neighborhood Outreach provides emergency assistance for residents experiencing utility disconnection and eviction.
Position Summary
This position is responsible for engagement with families and single adults who are experiencing significant housing instability and at-risk of literal homelessness. This position will work with the Stable Housing Network to rapidly resolve the immediate housing crisis. Examples of this assistance include housing problem solving, linkage to immediate needs, referrals for rental assistance, assisting the client in identifying longer-term supports and resources. This is a two-year grant funded position.
Effect on End Results
This position is primarily focused on the achievement of housing stability for clients through the Stable Housing Network. The overall community goal is to reduce evictions and literal homelessness for everyone receiving prevention assistance and services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Treat all program participants with respect in a non-judgmental, trauma-informed approach and cultural competency.
- Utilize risk screening tools to assess current levels of housing needs and crisis.
- Provide intervention and support proportional to current need for households who have higher risk and vulnerability.
- Utilization of housing problem solving as first intervention using strength-based approach with client
- Connect client to self-identified resources or connections that can reduce risk and support housing stabilization.
- Provide access to resources and support (food pantry, childcare, community mediation, legal aid, etc.) that may have an impact on housing stabilization.
- Refer client for emergency rental assistance (ERA) when appropriate or necessary to stabilize client in eviction prevention approach.
- Coordinate access to flexible funds when available and appropriate for housing stabilization, consistent with eligibility and prioritization criteria for flexible funds.
- Work within the Stable Housing Network to both accept referrals from and make referrals to prevention partners when necessary.
- Accept/make referrals to partners that are also providing ERA2 assistance from City of Columbus and Franklin County.
- Refer when appropriate to targeted homelessness prevention support available as part of the Stable Housing Network’s targeted homelessness prevention services.
- Attend meetings of the Stable Housing Network and with peers across the prevention system.
- Attend and achieve certification in Housing Problem Solving training when offered; attend other relevant trainings offered (e.g., community resource opportunities and trainings, housing instability risk screening training and refresher trainings on all of the above.).
- Work closely with other Stable Housing Network partners, including other Housing Resource Specialists and CSB’s Homelessness Prevention Network Manager.
- Provide housing resource information and navigational support for clients as well as other staff at the agency; regular updating of housing-related information and resources.
- Enter data on clients served in program into Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
- Attend and complete training necessary to obtain and maintain HMIS user license.
- Enter complete data in alignment with HMIS data fields.
- Timely data entry in accordance with data standards.
- Adhere to HMIS data privacy and security standards.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, in Social Services or related field preferred
- Working knowledge of effective social service interventions, particularly crisis-oriented interventions, and approaches to program and system collaboration.
- Knowledge of issues related to homelessness and homelessness prevention, including causes of homelessness, characteristics of persons who experience homelessness.
- Knowledge of issues and interventions relevant to families and individuals most at-risk of literal homelessness.
- The significance and expertise of a candidate that has experienced homelessness or housing instability will be considered.
- Working knowledge of leases, landlord-tenant rights and eviction proceedings (or ability to develop this competency) to make appropriate referrals for legal assistance and mediation services.
- Experience working in a not-for-profit setting.
- Experience working with people experiencing homeless/housing instability and/or other disadvantaged populations.
