Housing Advocate, Valley Youth House

Posted by Valley Youth House on November 17, 2014

The Housing Advocate is responsible for individual housing counseling, special housing topic workshop instruction, emergency placement assistance and long-term housing planning with youth. This position includes relationship building with private market landlords and rental agencies, housing-related service agencies & providers, and public/government-based housing entities. This individual will partner with Members, Coaches, County and CUA Social Workers and other stakeholders to plan for youths’ successful transition out of dependent care and/or IL after-care services. This position is under the Senior Vice President of Independent Living’s and the SE IL Director’s and AIC Associate Director’s authority and reports directly to the Program Supervisor.

Essential Functions of Position:

• To assist members with the stable housing process, which may include helping clients identify suitable housing options, coordinating visits to potential housing programs, advocating for clients with landlords, and assisting clients with all related paperwork.
• To teach workshops related to housing topics as needed, and function as a back-up instructor for any life skills/housing instruction.
• Help Members access resources for housing related assistance (i.e. furniture procurement, utility assistance, etc.)
• To research, develop and maintain private market landlord relationships and permanent housing program options which can include landlord/member mediation.
• To serve as a housing resource for coach/case managers in the homeless service system.
• To assist youth in finding and accessing emergency housing options.
• To participate on local housing committees and coalitions.
• To monitor and maintain positive community relations (e.g. non-profit agencies, rental companies, OSH, etc.) in a proactive manner.
• To assist in maintaining compliance with PA DPW & DHS regulations and/or program grant requirements as applicable.
• To proactively address client misconduct from a positive youth development perspective.

Other Duties:

• To participate in regularly scheduled supervision with supervisor and be prepared with an agenda.
• To attend and positively participate as a team member in planning meetings with staff from Valley Youth House and other related agencies.
• To accurately complete all required paperwork and documentation in a manner consistent with established protocols.
• To accurately complete all personnel materials in a timely manner.
• To proactively and effectively deal with crisis situations.
• To complete other related tasks as appropriate or assigned.

Qualifications:

The Housing Advocate shall be a mature individual with the ability to adapt to the philosophy of the Independent Living Program. The Housing Advocate will possess sound judgment and knowledge of adolescent development, housing services and group facilitation. Knowledge of the local housing continuum and program requirements preferred. Some knowledge of fair housing and tenant rights preferred. He/she has never been convicted of any child abuse offense. He/she shall possess a minimum two years experience working with adolescents and a Masters in Social Work, Human Services or related field or an equivalent combination of 5 years of experience in the field and Bachelor’s degree. The candidate’s race, gender, religion, or state of physical disability will not be considered when hiring for this position.

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/gN3H7bm7tFsP