Housing Specialist, Office of Mental Health (OMH) Supported Housing Program

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are :   CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City, where all children and adults have access to the resources and supports, they need to thrive.  We take a comprehensive approach by offering more than 180 integrated programs in : Education & Youth Development, Family Support, Job Training & Employment Support Services, Health, Housing, and Legal Services. We reach almost 80,000 individuals and families, including almost 13,000 youth. CAMBA serves a diverse cross section of New Yorkers from new mothers in Brownsville to job seekers in the Rockaways. More than half of our clients are immigrants and refugees from around the globe. Over 85% of our families are living in poverty, reflecting the challenges faced by nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers today.

Office of Mental Health (OHM) Supported Housing Program :  provides a total of 87 units of scattered site housing to individuals who meet the program’s eligibility.  The first program provides 70 units of housing to chronically homeless single adults who are eligible for SSI or SSD and suffer from Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) or are diagnosed as Mentally Ill and Chemically Addicted (MICA).  The second program provides 10 units of housing for SPMI individuals who reside in OMH psychiatric centers, Article 28 inpatient hospitals, residential treatment programs and adult homes.  The third program provides 7 units of housing to individuals who are SPMI and have been residents of either OMH Psychiatric Centers or OMH operated residential programs for one year or longer.  All apartments are located in Brooklyn. The program offers Case management services focusing on removing barriers to maintain housing by ensuring that all clients’ basic needs are met and that clients are connected to needed services, such as mental health and substance abuse. The operations component focus on the housing units meeting habitability standards by working with landlords and management companies to address major repair issues and complete minor repairs, as well as identifying new units, negotiating leases, and making units ready when there is a vacancy.  Clients contribute 30% of their income towards their rent.

Position : Housing Specialist

Reports To : Operations Supervisor

Location : 19 Winthrop Street, Brooklyn NY 11225

What The Housing Specialist Does :

• Identify suitable apartment for eligible clients.
• Obtain leases and other required documentation from landlord and prepares lease packages for processing.
• Submits new leases and / or lease renewal packages for review to Operation Supervisor / Senior Program Manager in a timely manner.
• Ensures that apartment units are ready prior to occupancy.
• Schedules and accompanies new clients and current clients, if needed, to apartment viewings.
• Set up utilities with electric and gas utility companies.
• Prepare and submit furniture request for new apartment set-up.
• Prepare new start-up supplies for new incoming clients.
• Schedule and participate in all clients move ins.
• Act as liaison between case managers, maintenance workers, and agency’s fiscal department to address various issues i.e., housing plans, maintenance work / repairs, fiscal issues.
• Submit program’s weekly vacancy report on a weekly basis.
• Keep track of expiration dates of leases.
• Process work orders as needed and reviews all signed work orders to ensure work has been done.
• Reviews all utility bills and submits to agency’s fiscal department on a weekly basis.
• Investigate clients’ complaints of unpaid utility bills with agency’s fiscal department, case conference with case manager and client if necessary.
• Conduct program required unit inspections as required by funding source.
• Maintain accurate records (i.e., furniture, maintenance supplies, food, office stock) on premises and / or in community-based apartments.
• Input all provided client related services into program’s assigned database- i.e., Client Track, CAPS, etc.
• Request Emergency Assistance to assist clients in paying clients’ portion of utility bills, if needed.
• Respond immediately to emergencies and inform supervisor.
• Participate in administrative and staff meetings as requested.
• Provide all required information for weekly / monthly / quarterly / annual reports to CAMBA management and / or to funders.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education / Experience Required :

Other Requirements :

Compensation : $51,500 annually

When salary ranges are listed, the range would represent the low and high end for the applicable position & program. The salary offered would be based on various factors unique to each program and candidate. This includes but is not limited to experience, education, budget and / or program size, internal equity, skills and other factors that may be required for the position and organization.

Status : Full-time (35 hours per week)

Benefits : CAMBA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and paid holidays.

CAMBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace. People of color, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, marital or veteran status, pregnancy status or sexual orientation.

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