Housing Coordinator

Title:                Housing Coordinator

Program:         Kenton Hall Men’s Shelter

Salary:             $45,000 - $47,000 

Program Overview

Kenton Hall is a 108 bed 24/7 emergency shelter for homeless men with substance abuse issues and mental health issues. In addition to on-site rehabilitation services, our comprehensive services include case management, individual and group counseling, recreational activities and housing placement assistance. Additionally, an on-site medical, psychiatric, and dental clinic operates Monday through Friday.

Position Overview:

Under the direction of the Program Director, with some latitude for independent action and decision making, the Housing Coordinator is responsible for identifying housing options for the clients, especially the long term stayers, and assisting the clients in preparing and submitting applications, so permanent housing can be obtained, the lengths of stay in the shelter can be reduced, and the clients can obtain independence and return to their communities; performs related work.  

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

The essential duties of the Housing Coordinator include but are not limited to the following activities:

• Utilizing vacancy rosters provided by the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS) and other housing providers, identifies vacancies throughout the five boroughs and selects possible housing options to which clients can apply for placement.
• Reviews, in collaboration with the Case Managers, the application package for each client to ensure documents are complete and the psychological evaluation is current, assists the client in submitting the application to the housing provider, and performs appropriate follow-up on submitted application.   
• Reviews the weekly report to become aware of new clients to be scheduled for orientation and to know if any clients have missed curfew and possibly a scheduled appointment for housing placement. Performs appropriate follow-up in either situation.
• Conducts weekly individualized and group meetings for clients, focusing on housing placement issues and guiding them through the housing application process.
• Visits housing providers’ facilities to develop and maintain a positive working relationship with them and to get as much information as possible for the clients applying for placement.
• Prepares clients for housing interviews, conducting mock interviews sessions, accompanies them on tours of facilities, and in general coordinates and facilitates the referral process.  
• Coordinates escort services for groups of clients going for housing placement interviews.

• Reviews and updates the tracking system for submitted applications, interviews, and selections or denials.  Performs follow-up to any denial of housing applications submitted to providers.
• Conducts weekly on-site housing workshops.
• Maintains and participates in the monthly Plan for Permanency (PFP) case management conferences.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Program Director.

Physical Activities

Assisting clients with moving into their units. While performing the duties of this position, the Housing Coordinator must be able to walk between five floors of the facility. In addition, the Housing Coordinator must stand, bend to use the files and be able to sit at the computer workstation for extended periods to review the client data and update the information in the case management systems.  Further, the Housing Coordinator must be able to lift or move material and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience working with homeless adults with substance and illicit drug abuse issues with objectives toward securing permanent housing for them.

Preferred skills:

Housing Options:         Knowledge of low income housing in New York City as well as special needs housing, including the NY/NY Supportive Housing and Section 8 housing. Knowledge of CAPS Supportive Housing            Application System.

Communication:           Excellent oral, written, and listening skills.

Organizational:             The ability to work independently and initiate corrective actions to help clients seeking permanent housing.

Interpersonal:                The ability to interface with clients as well as all levels of staff.   

Computer:                       Knowledge of case management software as well as a proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word and EXCEL

All newly hired Project Renewal staff must provide verification of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19.