Housing Resource Specialist

HOPWA: Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS

Full Time Days

Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio is currently seeking a HOPWA Housing Resource Specialist for Faith Mission inColumbus Ohio. Faith Mission is one of the largest homeless shelters in Columbus, Ohio, providing meals and shelter to men, women and Veterans with dignity and compassion.

The ideal candidate will share Our Mission: Creating a better world by serving people in need.

What will I do as the HOPWA Housing Resource Specialist with Lutheran Social Services?

Serve and advocate with sensitivity for clients of grant funded positions across a wide array of programs, including but not limited to participants of the Workforce Development and Section 3 programs, all the while ensuring their success in meeting individual and programmatic objectives.
Conduct home visits.
Provide outreach, resources, intake and assessment of clients to determine client needs and provide referral services.
Conduct intensive case management and develop goal-oriented service plans which consist of short- and long-range services to ensure housing retention and improvement of health and well-being.
Develop and monitor the progress of high acuity clients through a housing service plan.
Respond to crisis phone calls from owners, tenants, and/or clients to directly link them to external service providers for immediate intervention.
Link clients to resources that will result in housing stability, including substance abuse services, benefits counseling, mental health and community services to ensure that they are connected to the most appropriate services that will meet their needs.
Provide tenant and/or client empowerment strategies which may include but is not limited to Housing Search Assistance, Independent living skills such as budgeting, being a good tenant/neighbor and maintaining a clean unit that is decent, safe and sanitary.
Provide housing location, and housing retention services to applicants and participants of various programs. Responsible for locating potential rental units and facilitating meetings with landlords in an effort to increase housing stock and assist individuals with securing a rental unit.
Attend meetings and trainings to improve skills and knowledge of best practices in Permanent Supportive Housing and client related issues.
Collaborate and network with Community Based Organizations, Housing Specialists and Case Managers and other services providers including medical to address and facilitate concerns that will prevent client evictions, property management concerns and clients who are non-responsive to the Housing Authority's request.

Requirements for the HOPWA Housing Resource Specialist with Lutheran Social Services:

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field with equivalent experience
Minimum two years working in a social service setting required.
Ability to work with a diverse group of people. Experience working with the following or related populations: homelessness, behavioral health, substance abuse/addiction
Experience working with property manager, landlords, housing subsidies/HUD and permanent supportive housing providers.

As one of the largest non-for-profits in Central Ohio, we value our employees. Our excellence is based upon team members dedicated to a fulfilling career and committed to the service of others.

Benefits for Full-time positions* with Lutheran Social Services include:

Health insurance with 4-plan options!
Tuition Reimbursement Program
403(b) retirement plan with employer matched savings
Dental and Vision insurance
Medical and Childcare Flexible Spending (FSA)
Health Savings Account
PTO and 12 Paid Holidays
Discount Marketplace
Opportunity to make a positive impact on individuals & the community

*some part-time positions may be eligible for some benefits as well

ABOUT Lutheran Social Services:

We put our Mission of Service into action. Every day LSS serves thousands of people in 27 Ohio counties by addressing the four core societal issues of food, shelter, safety, and healing. LSS offers Food Pantries, housing and supportive services through homeless shelters, domestic violence services, senior living and health care, affordable housing communities, and other services that uplift families and strengthen communities.

Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio is committed to being an equal opportunity employer.