Bay Cove Human Services’ mission is to partner with people to overcome challenges and realize personal potential. Bay Cove pursues this mission by providing individualized and compassionate services to people facing the challenges associated with developmental disabilities, mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness at more than 175 program sites throughout Greater Boston and Southeastern Massachusetts.
Job Summary:
As a member of the multidisciplinary ACCS Integrated Team, the Housing Coordinator supports Persons in accessing and maintaining their housing in group living environments (GLEs), supported living environments (SIEs) and independent housing settings. The Housing Coordinator facilitates rapid access to housing resources by maintaining a database of information necessary to ensure tenancy requirements are met. The Housing Coordinator is responsible for providing specialized training to team staff regarding the provision of treatment and supports to maintain tenancy. The Housing Coordinator contributes to Bay Cove’s mission by demonstrating respect for all pathways to recovery, by serving as a Person’s advocate and by assisting Persons in developing goals in order to achieve greater independence and improved quality of life.
This is a non-exempt position.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
At the discretion of the ACCS Integrated Team Director and the Director of Housing.
Essential Functions of the Position:
- Assist Persons to obtain housing by assessing eligibility, conducting housing searches, assisting with applications, maintaining meticulous housing search records indicating what resources have been applied for, what address was used, coaching Persons to follow up regularly to check status and update information on file, and assisting with the mitigating process as needed.
- Train and coach all Integrated Team members regarding housing first principles and available housing resources, and assist in the provision of treatment and supports directed at both successfully transitioning Persons into new housing and to maintaining Persons’ tenancies.
- Assist Persons in the execution of leases and orient Persons to their lease terms, subsidies, and how their change in housing may impact their benefits.
- Maintain a database of housing situations of all Persons served by the team to track inspections, renewals, and recertification deadlines and prompt assigned team when specific annual tasks are coming due so team can support Persons in meeting tenancy requirements.
- Train team staff on licensing requirements for GLEs, SIEs and independent apartments and monitor the resolution of all deficiencies and consult with team on developing strategies to support Persons towards positive tenancy when issues arise.
- Collaborate with the Housing Coordinators from other Integrated Teams to maintain a pool of housing resources, share housing leads, and carry out initiatives to recognize and celebrate landlords/property managers who have been a positive support in ensuring lasting tenancy for Persons.
- Establish and maintain relationships with landlords, property management companies, and housing authority staff to facilitate housing searches and more effectively mediate routine disputes as need to support Persons tenancies.
- Develop, maintain, and direct a pool of voluntary Neighborhood Liaisons; other Persons who live in a given neighborhood and who are trained and willing to introduce newly arrived persons to the neighborhood and orient them to its resources including transportation and opportunities for social connection.
- Utilize recovery-oriented language and principles in all communication and interactions with Persons, colleagues, and collaterals.
- Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
- Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Psychology, Social Work, or a related area.
- A High School diploma or GED plus three years direct care experience providing services to adults with mental health issues or related population can be substituted for the above degree requirement.
- Previous experience working with individuals diagnosed with severe mental health issues strongly preferred.
- Experience managing affordable housing and/or housing supports preferred.
- Strong commitment to the right of each Person with mental health challenges to live in community residences, to work in market jobs, and to have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services of their own choosing.
- Professional writing and verbal communications skills.
- High degree of personal organization, attention to detail, and time management skills.
- Proficiency in word processing and other computer functions using Windows, Word, and Google Email and Apps.
- Ability to climb stairs and carry up to 40 pounds, as well as the physical capacity to assist people with mobility impairments as needed.
- Use of personal cellular telephone for work communication.
- Valid driver's license preferred.
- Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply, pay differential offered for candidates with fluency in certain essential languages.
- Utilizes a flexible and responsible work style that meets evolving needs of the agency.
- Works with integrity and respects the dignity and value of all individuals.
- Exhibits mission through job knowledge, pride in work role, and advocacy.
- Promotes diversity and inclusion of all individuals.
- Works in a collaborative, compassionate manner with stakeholder/ partners.