Housing Case Manager

Responsibilities

• Assists referred participants to verify and document program eligibility, and complete program application materials
• Assists client in maintaining compliance with lease and case notes on a daily and/or weekly basis
• Networks with other service providers to advocate for clients and establish suitable referral systems

• Maintains client files and appropriate records to document participant’s progress.
• Participates in agency, department and committee meetings to maintain integrated services for clients
• Participates in department projects developed by the Director of Housing Services aimed at providing better service to clients and improving efficiency
• Attends trainings as directed to increase knowledge and skill; Attend required safety trainings and meetings; follow all safety and health guidelines, standards, practices, policies and procedures; and actively participate in the agency’s Emergency Preparedness program and activities
• Utilizes Fenn-Jorstad Self Sufficiency Matrix, and other assessment tools as appropriate, to identify barriers to housing stability
• Utilizes principles of Motivational Interviewing, Housing First and Harm Reduction to assist participants with the development of a Housing Stability Action Plan, which address identified barriers to housing stability
• Assists clients in housing search, providing advocacy and coaching to facilitate positive and productive landlord/tenant relationships
• Provides clients with trauma informed support case management and advocacy. Make referrals and linkages to community resources for housing, employment and other basic needs.
• Reassess participant eligibility at 90 day intervals to determine ongoing need for rental subsidy. Adjust Housing Stability Action Plan as needed to maintain stable housing
• Provides structured exit interviews for clients to gather program feedback as well as help clients focus on long term goals
• Provides follow-up case management for exited clients, including tracking of disposition
• Exit participants from RRH program when they are determined to be stably housed and able to maintain stable housing without the RRH subsidy OR upon completion of 12 months of subsidized rental assistance.
• Conduct Exit interview which includes plan for maintaining stable housing without the RRH Subsidy.
• Provide clients with detailed information about data sharing and obtains informed consent for the sharing of data, making alternate arrangements for those that opt out of data sharing. Cooperates with evaluators on the collection and analysis of data
• Efficiently and effectively collaborates with YWCA and Snohomish County Coordinated Entry partners as well as professionals in the community in order to ease transitions and overcome barriers to accessing needed services and supports
• Maintain Flex Funding and tracks spending to ensure funds are not over spent and are administered per grant requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in social services related field with at least three years of case management experience working with low-income, homeless and chronically homeless households. Prefer chemical dependency and/or mental health background.

• AA Degree in social services related field with at least five years of case management experience working with low-income homeless and chronically homeless.
• Any combination of skills and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform this job effectively

• Comprehensive understanding of issues around homelessness, poverty and trauma, especially as they affect specific populations, including but not limited to: veterans, families, the elderly & disabled, people who live with chronic mental illness, youth, LGBTQI people, immigrants & refugees, and people of color
• Experience in providing crisis intervention services
• Demonstrated Understanding of Motivational Interviewing, Chronic Homelessness, Harm Reduction and Housing First Principles
• Knowledge of and experience as a service provider with any of the following: crisis intervention, victims of domestic violence, child abuse, substance abuse, mental health, welfare rights, case management, sexual assault, employment services, child development, and positive parenting skills
• Experience in placing hard to serve individuals
• Knowledge of local human services, shelter, low income and affordable housing resources in Snohomish County
• Good oral and written communication skills and organizational and record keeping skills
• Ability and willingness to work independently and as part of a team and to make sound judgement without on-site supervision
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to provide creative solutions
• Core competencies expected: attention to detail, oral and written communication organizing/time management, initiative, collaboration, ethics and integrity.
• Proficiency in Word and Excel
• Must be able to commute to multiple work sites within a day
• Experience working with communities of color and people from different cultures than your own
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-racist principles and the intersection of racism and poverty

Physical Demands

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  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In performing this position, the employee:
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
• Ability to conduct in-home visits with clients in a multi-level apartment complex
• Continuously exchanges information through listening and talking with clients, agency staff, employers, representatives of community organizations and other individuals in the community
• Frequently stands, walks, sits and climbs in performing duties in the workspace and in the community
• Frequently reaches and grasps in using telephones, computers, fax machines and other office equipment and supplies
• All positions at YWCA of Seattle u007C King u007C Snohomish are exposed to clients who have experienced or are experiencing trauma in various forms including but not limited to: domestic violence, sexual violence, homelessness, unemployment, financial hardship, etc. As a result, staff are at risk of secondary trauma. Employees are encouraged to seek external support and maintain self-care when working indirectly or directly with clients