SDSU Housing Specialist - Home Start Inc

Home Start’s vision is for every child to have a safe, stable, and nurturing home. Guided by our mission to assure the safety and resiliency of children by strengthening families and their communities, Home Start, Inc., a non-profit child abuse prevention, and treatment agency has strengthened and developed San Diego’s families and communities since 1972.

Job Summary: The Housing Specialist will be the primary point of contact for a Rapid Rehousing Program between San Diego State University and Home Start, Inc. The primary goal of this program is to provide stable housing solutions to college students in economic crisis. The specialist will provide housing navigation services, case management services and educate students on housing retention. Frequent trips between locations will be required. Experience in both real estate and social services is preferred.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Oversee activities that relate to identification and provision of housing;

• Provide “ready to rent” coaching to ensure that clients are aware of their rights and responsibilities with respect to housing;

• Conduct outreach to realtors, landlords, housing developers and other housing providers to identify new and existing housing opportunities;

• Build a strong inventory of available housing options for participants;

• Integrate program services as part of the regional coordinated community approach to homelessness, given that victims of crime have increased risk and unique needs;

• Work with survivors to identify housing that meets their needs and to help navigate access to housing;

• Negotiate with landlords to “sell” the program and convince landlords to accept tenants they may normally screen out, to negotiate lease agreements, resolve issues relating to current housing (i.e. rental arrears or damage to property) to prevent evictions;

• Liaison with the San Diego Housing San Diego Housing Commission’s Landlord Incentive Program and San Diego County’s Department of Housing and Community Development to provide housing location services and identify appropriate and affordable housing options. Track participant utilization of these programs;

• Create and maintain positive working relationships with suitable Property Managers and Landlords for long term coordination of permanent housing services for participants;

• Create and implement a landlord recruitment and retention plan;

• Implement policies and procedures;

• Network with other agencies, coalitions, and participate in local community meetings including the Regional CoC;

• Conduct community engagement and education through presentations and individual meetings;

• Complete all required training to include 24 hours of pre and in-service training on topics such as Trauma Informed Care, Cultural Competency, Motivational Interviewing and Positive Youth Development, Client Confidentiality/HIPPA, etc.; and

• Participate in system data collection; complete necessary paper work and forms.

Qualifications:

Education Must have a minimum of 2 years of experience in property management, housing management, and/or real estate, including negotiation and advocacy. Skills: Demonstrated ability to be culturally sensitive and respect diversity. Ability to provide support, structure, empathy, sound judgement and insight into human behavior and family relations. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to take direction. Exceptional problem-solving skills. Highly organized, detail-oriented, strong time management skills and able to work in a fast-paced environment. Ability to provide creative solutions. Previous employment or volunteer work in human services, community agencies or other related non-profit or social change organizations a plus. Good oral and written communication and computer skills are required. Bilingual (Spanish/English) speaker preferred. Other Requirements: Must be a Certified DV Counselor (completed 40-hour DV Counselor training pursuant to Evidence Code §1037.1) or willing to complete such training within 3 months of hire. Must pass a criminal background check.

Must have a valid California driver’s license, a safe driving record, automobile insurance, and a reliable vehicle.

Physical Demands:

• Reading and typing on a computer frequently.

• Sitting for long periods of time at required meetings or in supervision.

• Daily traveling in car to meet with clients and attend agency and community meetings.

Work Environment:

• Office space may be shared with frequent telephone and visitor contacts.

• The noise level fluctuates from quiet to noisy.

• Frequent travel to meet with clients and landlords

Home Start, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in the hiring of personnel because of gender, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity or gender expression, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.