Company Overview:
As a long-time leader in Connecticut, New Reach hopes to now chart a new path by fundamentally shifting how our community manages and responds to the homelessness and housing insecurity crises. With increased focus on preventing evictions and providing long-term stability for those who are establishing their independence, we believe a true systems change is possible. We imagine a world where the need for shelter is minimal because individuals and families are able to stay in their homes instead of being evicted and those who are struggling to make ends meet can get the help, they need to maintain stability. We inspire lasting independence for all people affected by homelessness and poverty through a continuum of housing and support, using the most innovative, progressive, equitable and inclusive methods.
Primary Purpose: Project Longevity Project Longevity is an anti-gun violence program operating in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury, Norwich, and New London. Project Longevity staff in each city work with the police department, probation, parole, corrections, municipal, and community organizations to identify those individuals who are the highest risk of either committing or being victims of gun violence (and their close associates and family) and offer to connect them with an array of services that can help them move away from those risks. These services may include short term basic needs, emergency housing, mental or physical health services, substance use disorder services, driver's licenses, job readiness training, occupational skills training, or other services as needed.
The Connecticut Rapid Re-Housing Program (CT RRP) is a statewide initiative designed to assist homeless households(individuals and families) as they quickly move out of homelessness and into permanent housing through the provision of time-limited housing supports and strategies with the ultimate goal of housing stability. The Case Worker/Housing Specialist provides housing and relocation services to families and individuals exiting homelessness and provides up to 12 months of home-based case management post housing placement.
Essential Functions: Designated housing coordination staff will meet weekly with the New Haven Project Longevity Team and Rapid Rehousing team in order to review the list of potential and existing cases, discuss case status, determine what the next steps should be for each case, and whether a case should be inactivated.
CT RRH and Project Longevity will employ the interconnected strategies developed by the program grant to ensure programmatic effectiveness through the following strategies:
- Coordinated intake, screening, and housing-based assessment.
- Housing search, landlord recruitment, and relocation assistance.
- Housing stabilization and sustainability supports, including linkages to community services; and financial assistance.
- The Case Worker/Housing Specialist will be dually trained as a Case Worker and Housing Specialist to facilitate both functions as needed.
- Carry a combined case load consisting of homeless households (families and singles) in need of housing assistance and/or case work, within the sub-region of Greater New Haven. Services will be provided to a minimum of 50 households annually.
- Acts as primary contact person/ Case Worker for between 7 and 15 families/individuals participating in the Rapid Re-housing Program throughout Greater New Haven.
- Act as a primary contact person/ Housing Specialist for between 7 and 15 families/individuals referred for housing placement in the Greater New Haven area.
- Locate and help secure appropriate housing and community resources for participants.
- Provide assistance for households to increase income, accessing long-term housing subsidies, establish and/or expand family and community-based supports, and assistance in increasing access to mainstream services.
- Provide the majority of services in the client's home/shelter or a location of the client's choosing.
- Conduct outreach with shelters in sub-region to coordinate effective communication regarding referrals to RRH. Educate providers and market the program as needed.
- Educate landlords in the community about their services, dispel myths about homeless families and individuals, and provide support to the family and the landlord to promote successful tenancy, while maintaining positive communication.
- Create effective and innovative strategies to engage and maintain professional landlord relationships.
- Actively participate in the community landlord engagement teams and meetings. Assist in creating engagement events and other processes to engage and recruit new landlords.
- Provide coordination and referrals to households after they receive assistance to improve stability, well-being, and self-sufficiency.
- Assist clients in completing relevant community and agency housing applications.
- Conduct Housing Quality and lead inspections on all units prior to tenant occupancy.
- The Case Worker/Housing Specialist must report any major changes in client mental status, potential for DCF hotline calls, unethical behavior/situations, and/or critical incidents within 24 hours to the Program Manager.
- The Program Director may require the Case Worker/Housing Specialist to attend trainings on Evidence Based Practices necessary to the program, including a minimum introductory training in Motivational Interviewing.
- The Case Worker/Housing Specialist is required to use an approved HMIS system to document all client and program data, which includes but is not limited to: Program enrollments, discharges, case notes, assessments, client demographics, action plans, collateral contacts, referrals and services provided.
- Assist in program development and quality assurance activities as directed by Supervisor.
- Other duties as assigned to ensure successful operations.
Qualifications: - Associate's Degree (Bachelor's preferred) and two years of experience
- Bilingual in Spanish, both written and oral preferred. Ability to work with diverse populations.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Valid CT Driver's License, proof of insurance, and access to reliable transportation.
- Experience in housing, housing law, and other areas as they lend themselves to successfully enhancing this program.
- Highly motivated, and creative with excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to work with a group or independently.
- Strong computer skills including word processing.
If you are looking for something new and exciting and want to join a fast-growing and innovative organization, we'd love to work with you. We offer generous benefits, PTO, paid holidays, a 401K plan, and much more.
EEO/VET Employer