Senior Housing Specialist

ABOUT US

Sanctuary for Families is New York’s leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and related forms of gender violence. Every year, Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services. We provide a range of wrap-around services to help survivors rebuild their lives in the aftermath of abuse, and work to end gender violence through three key strategies : direct services, outreach and training, and systems-change advocacy. Our services are available in 12 locations throughout New York City.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Housing Specialist will orient eligible participants to the Trafficking Survivor Housing Link (TSHL) program and provide housing search services to promote participants’ self-sufficiency, integration into the community, and permanency in housing; performs administrative tasks involved in the review and maintenance of a caseload of program participants; locates and maintains relationships with potential landlord throughout the city. They will report to the Senior Deputy Director, Residential Services.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assess housing barriers of sex and labor trafficking victims to determine housing and service needs.
• Develop a housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with TSHL clients. This shall include intake interview to determine client’s needs, goals, and eligibility.
• Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client’s behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and or maintain housing.
• Assist participants in locating and securing housing of their choice.
• Create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e. tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors and creditors).
• Serve as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants.
• Assist in development of and encourage adherence to a personal budget through proactive housing and budget counseling sessions; provide budget counseling and education to assist clients in establishing payments plans for bills and past debts and to assist clients in obtaining and maintaining their housing.
• Facilitate Monthly Housing Groups – Plan and lead monthly housing groups for survivors, providing education, resources, and peer support to help them navigate housing options and maintain stable housing.
• Assist TSHL participants in development of a strength-based / solution-focused individualized goal and action plan that promotes permanent housing and self-sufficiency; develop an effective, timely referral network in order to ensure ongoing direction and support as needed.
• Work in close collaboration with case managers / peer care navigators from the Anti-Trafficking Initiative, EMPOWER Center, and JET Initiative to identify participant strengths and barriers to stability and assist participants to reducing barriers and linking to resources and services.
• Provide proactive follow-up home visits to ensure stability and further progress towards self-sufficiency; this includes support, advocacy, reducing isolation, listening, problem solving, and identification of resources to assist with reintegration of participants in the community.
• Apply knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate clients of their rights and responsibilities.
• Maintain accurate daily logs records, monthly outcome reports, and files for each client.
• Accompany clients to housing appointments as deemed necessary.
• Collect and report program data, including but not limited to Salesforce reporting and funders’ required data.
• Perform any other department or agency related duties or special projects as directed.
• Requires knowledge and belief in “Housing First” philosophy and strategies.
• Education Requirements : Bachelor's Degree in Human Services preferred or a minimum of a two years degree in Human related services and two years of related experience.
• Knowledge or understanding of tenant’s rights and responsibilities as well as “strengths-based” case management.
• Fluent in Spanish preferred

Budgeted Salary : $30.98 - $34.22 per hour ($56,384 - $62,283 annualized); based on experience pursuant to wage scale in accordance with collective bargaining agreement

Work position is Full Time, Hourly / Non-Exempt

Work schedule is currently hybrid.  Must be able to meet job location schedule obligations

Benefits :

Sanctuary for Families is a welcoming workplace. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed (religion), color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status or domestic violence victim status, and other categories protected under Federal, New York state or New York city laws.

Survivors of gender-based violence are strongly encouraged to apply.