Housing Specialist

Housing Specialist is responsible for assisting shelter residents in obtaining and maintaining safe, stable, and permanent housing through comprehensive housing placement services, intensive advocacy, and client-centered support.  

The Housing Specialist works closely with clients, landlords, brokers, housing providers, and community partners to identify appropriate housing opportunities, address barriers to housing stability, and facilitate successful transitions from shelter to permanent housing. The position coordinates all aspects of the housing placement process, including housing applications, lease-up activities, utility connections, moving arrangements, and follow-up services, while ensuring compliance with program requirements and housing placement goals. 

• Conduct housing assessments and screen clients for program participation, providing orientation to shelter services, housing resources, program expectations, and pathways to permanent housing.  
• Collaborate with clients and interdisciplinary team members to develop and implement individualized housing plans that support independent living, housing stability, and successful transition from shelter to permanent housing.  
• Advocate on behalf of clients to secure appropriate permanent housing opportunities by working closely with landlords, brokers, property management companies, housing agencies, and community partners.  
• Assist clients with completing housing applications, gathering required documentation, obtaining identification, resolving housing barriers, and securing eligibility for rental assistance programs, housing subsidies, and public benefits.  
• Coordinate all aspects of the housing placement process, including apartment searches, housing interviews, apartment viewings, lease signings, utility activation, furniture acquisition, moving arrangements, and housing placement follow-up.  
• Maintain current knowledge of housing resources, rental assistance programs, supportive housing opportunities, housing vouchers, fair housing regulations, and local, state, and federal housing policies.  
• Monitor client progress toward housing goals through regular meetings, housing counseling, and ongoing support, ensuring timely movement toward permanent housing placement.  
• Provide supportive counseling, crisis intervention, problem-solving assistance, and housing-focused case management to address barriers impacting housing stability and retention.  
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with landlords, housing providers, government agencies, community-based organizations, and service providers to expand housing opportunities for clients.  
• Escort and accompany clients, as needed, to apartment viewings, housing interviews, lease signings, housing court appointments, and other housing-related meetings. 
• Facilitate housing readiness workshops and educational sessions on topics including tenant rights and responsibilities, budgeting, financial literacy, lease compliance, conflict resolution, and maintaining permanent housing.  
• Document all client interactions, housing activities, referrals, placements, progress notes, and outcomes in agency databases and client records in accordance with agency, funder, and regulatory requirements.  
• Prepare and submit timely reports regarding housing placements, housing search activities, client outcomes, voucher utilization, and program performance indicators. 
• Participate in case conferences, interdisciplinary team meetings, housing provider meetings, and other internal and external meetings to coordinate services and improve housing outcomes.  
• Track and monitor housing applications, voucher submissions, housing referrals, and lease-up activities to ensure compliance with program timelines and performance targets.  
• Conduct housing retention follow-up with formerly sheltered clients to support housing stability, address challenges, and connect clients to ongoing community-based services.  
• Maintain confidentiality of all client information and ensure compliance with agency policies, contractual requirements, and applicable regulations.  
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development opportunities related to housing services, homelessness, fair housing practices, and supportive service delivery. 
• Perform other duties and special projects assigned by supervisory staff to support program operations and organizational goals. 

EDUCATION 

• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Public Administration, or a related field preferred. Minimum of two (2) years of experience in housing placement, homeless services, case management, or a related human services field required. Demonstrated knowledge of New York City housing voucher programs (including CityFHEPS, FHEPS, and Section 8), housing placement processes, landlord engagement, real estate practices, and working with brokers is strongly preferred. 

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of one (1) to two (2) years of directly related experience in a human services agency, shelter system, or supportive housing environment required. Non-profit experience is highly preferred, with demonstrated understanding of the homelessness service system and shelter operations. Prior experience as a Case Manager is preferred. Familiarity with the DHS CARES database and other case management systems is helpful. 

SKILLS

• Good organizational skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal and demonstrated customer service orientation.
• Ability to advocate with strong negotiating skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge in one or more of the following; DHS/HRA housing vouchers, supplements and other potential entitlements, criminal justice system, public housing and social services is required.
• Able to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Computer literate.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to travel locally and work irregular hours to accomplish essential job functions.
• Required to utilize near vision ability to read data and documents, including spreadsheets and reports in printed form or on computer screens.
• Regularly required to move fingers, wrists and arms in a repetitive manner to operate office equipment.

Adheres to Housing Solutions of New York Policies and Procedures. Acts as a role model within and outside the agency. Performs duties as workload necessitates.

Attendance and dependability; the employee can be depended on to report to work at the scheduled time and is seldom absent from work.

Employee can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate and through manner and is conscientious about assignments.

Communication and Contact: the employee communicate both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside Housing Solutions of New York.

Relationships with others; the employee works and communicates effectively and relates well with others including superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside Housing Solutions of New York.

The employee exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works to maintain constructive working relationships.

Employee adheres to mission statement and guiding principals.

The work environment described here is representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, use hands or fingers, or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, kneel, talk, or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and distance vision. Must be able to travel within the five boroughs of New York City using all modes of public transportation. 

Send your resume to [recruitment@hsofny.org] with the name of the position in the subject line.