Job Title: Housing Services Coordinator
Department: Housing Services
FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Reports To: Director of Housing Services
Direct Reports: None
Date Issued: April 2018
Housing Up builds thriving communities in Washington, DC by developing affordable housing and offering comprehensive support services to homeless and low-income families. In addition to being a nonprofit affordable housing developer, we provide permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing and transitional housing. We believe that people who have safe, affordable housing and genuine opportunities are empowered to transform their lives.
Over the past 33 years, our organization has grown from serving 14 families in one building in Northwest DC to serving more than 900 families throughout the city. Housing Up is now one of the city's largest homeless services providers and is a critical partner in the District's plan to end family homelessness. Housing Up is a Housing First organization and is proud to be a critical partner in Mayor Muriel Bowser's plan to make homelessness "rare, brief, and nonrecurring".
Position Summary The Housing Services Coordinator has the opportunity to serve as a guide to program participants who are on their housing journey, with the ultimate goal of locating client-specific permanent housing. The coordinator also recruits potential landlords and maintains strong relationships with existing landlords. Finally, the Coordinator serves as a reliable partner to the case management team, with the goal of ensuring that each family's comprehensive housing needs are met. Through this multi-faceted and collaborative approach, in 2017 the Housing Services Team successfully helped 120 families obtain permanent rental housing in the District, with most signing a lease within 60 days.
Essential Functions - Conduct landlord outreach throughout the District and cultivate existing relationships with landlords to increase the number of available units for Housing Up clients
- Assess the housing needs of families referred to Housing Up's Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and Rapid Rehousing (RRH) Programs
- Locate units that match the housing needs of families and conduct initial unit inspections for code compliance and violations, with completion of appropriate documentation
- Conduct lease-up meetings with landlords and tenants, explaining the roles and responsibilities of each party
- Coordinate with Housing Up case management teams to coordinate the relocation of families
- Work collaboratively with Housing Up's case management team and tenants to address and resolve tenant and landlord issues
- Support the case management teams in providing individual and group education sessions on housing related topics such as household maintenance, timely rental and utility payments, and tenant rights and responsibilities
- Complete all required paperwork, data entry, communications, and filings, and report housing stability, landlord challenges, home visit maintenance reports and resolutions, and other programmatic information to the Director of Housing Services
- Complete other tasks as assigned, to support Housing Up
- Additional duties as required.
Educational Requirements - Bachelor's degree in a human services field
Applicable Experience, Knowledge, and Skills - Prior experience working in housing services for homeless individuals or families is strongly preferred
- Demonstrated knowledge of the rental real estate market in Washington, DC
- Strong interest in and ability to work well with underserved families
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow required housing procedures
- Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work well both independently and as a member of a team
- Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, internet, email) and previous experience with maintaining databases
- Strong organizational skills
- Valid driver's license and vehicle required, as well as proof of auto insurance
Work Environment/Physical Effort - Must be willing to travel to different locations throughout Washington DC
- Housing Up office hours are 9am-5pm, but housing coordinators are expected to adjust their schedules to accommodate the needs of the team/family on evenings and weekends as needed
- Ability to sit/stand for prolonged periods
- Ability to lift 20-30 pounds
Vaccine Protocol Housing Up has made the safety of our clients, staff, and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the organization that all are required to be vaccinated against COVID. As a prospective and/or a new employee at Housing Up, you will be required to comply with the organizations vaccination protocol. Proof of full vaccination will be required before the start of employment in order to work at any Housing Up location. Prospective or new employees may seek a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement from human resources and must have an approved exemption prior to the start of their employment. Failure to provide proof of vaccination or to obtain approval for medical or religious exemption will result in the offer of employment being rescinded.
Housing Up is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.