Housing Mobility Counselor

Company: Mercy Housing & Shelter Corp
Location: Hartford
Posted on: June 23, 2022

Job Description:

Community Housing AdvocatesAn Affiliate of Mercy Housing & Shelter Corp. and My Sisters' Place Job Title: Housing Mobility CounselorDepartment: MobilityReports to: Program DirectorFLSA Status: Non-Exempt Scheduled Work Times/Locations Monday - Friday, 8:30AM - 4:30PM; flexibility for occasional nights and weekends when necessary 211 Wethersfield Ave., Hartford, CT Job Summary: The Housing Mobility Counselor will be responsible for assisting individuals and families with Section 8 or RAP move to well-resourced communities. The Housing Mobility Counselor's major responsibilities include providing housing mobility counseling, providing a high level of consumer support services and tenant education as well as conducting landlord outreach, engagement, and recruitment. Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to Motivational Interviewing, Leading/Delivering workshops and trainings to address housing barriers, landlord support and recruitment and ensuring program eligibility and compliance with housing requirements. Program participants will include both families and individuals within the metropolitan Hartford area. Duties/Responsibilities:Recruitment of program participants, including identification and recruitment of families with young children living in high poverty neighborhoods at least 4 months in advance of their lease renewal or voucher recertificationDevelop and maintain working relationships with landlords and property management agencies.Prepare and disseminate written and/or oral information in English and Spanish on the existence of the Housing Mobility Counseling and Search Assistance Program, services provided, and the availability of assistance to assist eligible households in locating rental housing.Prepare and disseminate written and/or oral information in English and Spanish on the importance of housing choice and the effect that housing location has on education and other important outcomes in a person's life.Prepare and disseminate written information describing the applicable fair housing laws for all program participants with an emphasis on source of income protections and that includes information on how to make a fair housing complaint.Schedule and conduct initial enrollment according to program procedures, including interviewing clients and coordinating application forms.Develop family plans with objectives, services to be provided, milestones for completion of key elements and timetables, provide the following; motivational interviewing to participants regarding housing search methods and utilizing community resources, make appropriate referrals for needed services to help remove barriers to a successful mobility move (i.e. credit repair, behavioral health).Provide families with detailed information about locational options in opportunity areas, assess schooling needs of each child in the family and make attempts to refer families to an area where family needs are best met, assist in the following; make readiness determination, assistance with efforts of credit repair or rental history problems to assist families with meeting tenant screening requirements, transitions after their move, including help in locating schools, religious supports as appropriate, childcare, employment, social and medical services, maintain required records of counseling services provided and the referrals made for each family, conduct follow-up.Provide additional identified tenant education and support servicesActively identify, educate and recruit new landlords in high opportunity areas to rent to families in the housing mobility program (including small owners with 1-4 units);Maintain positive relationships with landlords and assist in any issues that arise between the landlord and the housing mobility client.Engage in consistent marketing and landlord education in high opportunity communities about the benefits of housing mobility and the HCV/RAP programsSubmit monthly and quarterly reports to Program Director.Additional duties as assigned Required Skills/Abilities:Excellent verbal and written communication skills2-3 years experience working with landlords and housing clients2-3 years experience in non-profit, section 8 and/or RAP participantsAbility to meet tight deadlines and work with minimal supervisionExcellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and written with diverse clienteleExcellent computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office SuiteAttention to detail, organizational skills, and follow through required, exceptional problem-solving capabilitiesExcellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines; ability to prioritize tasks Education and Experience:Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Business and/or Public Administration or a related field preferred, however equivalent education and experience will be considered. Knowledge of housing resources available in Greater Hartford is preferred.Real estate and/or property management experience preferred. Bilingual/bi-cultural (English/Spanish) candidates strongly encouraged. Licenses and Certifications:Must have valid Connecticut driver's license and clean driving record with proof of automobile insurance. CHA, My Sisters' Place and Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. Monday - Friday, 8:30AM - 4:30PMPI181300748

Keywords: Mercy Housing & Shelter Corp, Hartford , Housing Mobility Counselor, Other , Hartford, Connecticut