Housing Specialist (Additional Position)

1. Landlord Recruitment and Ongoing Contact:
   • Identify and recruit landlords to participate in Welcome House housing programs.
   • Develop and distribute materials explaining housing program opportunities.
   • Maintain regular communication with landlords to resolve tenancy issues and ensure compliance with program obligations.
   • Educate and outreach to property owners/landlords, assisting with the lease-up process and providing necessary information.
2. Service Coordinator/Program Participant Assistance:
   • Assist participants with housing searches, contacting landlords, scheduling showings, and providing coaching on how to communicate with potential landlords.
   • Help Service Coordinators and participants understand and comply with program requirements, including lease obligations.
   • Conduct assessments to determine housing barriers, needs, and preferences, and develop action plans for securing housing.
   • Contact utility companies to verify outstanding balances, and transport participants to showings and appointments as needed.
   • Upload lease packets and related documents into HMIS/Vesta Database within 3 business days.
   • Enter the initial rent and security deposit information into the Vesta database before submitting payment requests.
3. Housing Program Orientations/Intakes:
   • Coordinate, prepare, and conduct housing program orientations and intakes for new participants.
   • Maintain effective communication with landlords, ensuring all housing details are in compliance with program requirements.
4. Rapid Re-Housing (RRH):
   • Maintain an understanding of RRH grant regulations and program requirements.
   • Attend Local Prioritization Committee meetings to receive referrals and gather necessary eligibility documents.
   • Coordinate initial meetings between Housing specialist, program participants, and Service Coordinators.
   • Work with Service Coordinator to make sure inspections of potential housing units are completed in compliance with habitability, lead-based paint, and rent reasonableness requirements.
5. Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA):
   • Initiate landlord contact, complete required paperwork, and ensure compliance with program guidelines.
   • Upload required documents into HMIS/VESTA Database within 3 business days.
6. Permanent Subsidized Housing:
   • Maintain knowledge of grant regulations and program requirements.
   • Attend Local Prioritization Committee meetings and obtain eligibility documents from HMIS/Service Point Database.
   • Conduct initial housing unit inspections for habitability, lead-based paint, and rent- reasonableness compliance.
   • Work closely with Service Coordinators to ensure successful housing placements for participants.
7. Income and Eligibility Verification:
   • Evaluate and verify program participant income, assets, and expenses in accordance with HUD regulations and specific program guidelines.
   • Accurately calculate program participant rent (total tenant payment) and Housing Assistance Payments (HAP).
   • Assist participants and applicants with dwelling unit searches using the HOM Padmission app.
   • Process Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA), reviewing rent reasonableness, calculating utility allowances, and determining unit gross rent eligibility.
8. Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspections and Housing Location Assistance:
   • Coordinate and work closely with Service Coordinators to ensure housing quality standards (HQS) inspections are conducted.
   • Assist with housing location for hard-to-house participants, helping secure stable housing solutions.
   • Build and maintain positive owner relations and ensure necessary verifications for housing compliance.
9. Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contracts and Rental Assistance Agreements (RAA):
   • Prepare Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contracts or Rental Assistance Agreements (RAA) for program participants and landlords.
10. Data Entry and Documentation:

o   Perform extensive data entry in housing software platforms for program participants, dwelling units, landlords, and housing program-related information.

o   Complete encounter notes in HMIS/VESTA Database within 3 business days and ensure all documentation is uploaded promptly.

1. Internal/External Collaboration:

o   Collaborate with Service Coordinators to ensure participants maintain stable housing and positive relationships with landlords.

o   Attend mandatory agency meetings, training sessions, and team huddles.

o   Represent Welcome House at external meetings and build strong public relations with community services.

1. Reporting and Evaluation:

o   Complete required documentation in HMIS (Service Point and/or VESTA) for all programs.

o   Assist with program and funding reports, analyzing and evaluating data as requested by the Director or Supervisor of Housing and Supportive Services.

13.  Other duties as specified by the Supervisor/Director Housing and Supportive Services.