YHDP-Housing Specialist

Job Purpose and Reporting Structure:

The goal of YHDP is to support Milwaukee as a selected community, in the development and implementation of a coordinated community approach to preventing and ending youth homelessness. Under the direction of the Housing Specialist Manager, and direct partnership with Walkers Point, Milwaukee Coalition on Housing and Homelessness (MCHH), Coordinated Entry; the YHDP Housing Specialist serves Walkers Point and Pathfinders main point of contact for all YHDP landlord and property management partners, fostering existing relationships and growing a strong and supportive landlord base. The Housing Specialist also assists all YHDP staff and program participants with apartment searching, leasing, and managing payments, in addition to coordinating and assisting with moves as youth transition in and out of apartments, including aftercare services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include the Following:

1. Work collaboratively with HUD Technical Assistance, Walkers Point YHDP staff and the Youth Action Board to coordinate housing services and maximize youth access to necessary resources.
2. Plan, create, and oversee partnerships following a Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (CQI), in alignment with Milwaukee’s Coordinated Community Plan (CCP).
3. Serve as an ongoing liaison between landlords, property managers, and Walkers Point and Pathfinders Supported Housing program staff, ensuring effective communication and strong collaboration between all partners.
4. Foster existing landlord and property management relationships while developing new ones, promoting low barrier access to housing whenever opportunities present themselves.
5. Work with the Pathfinders Development team to highlight the supportive work of current housing-related partners via partnership trainings and meetings, social media and other assigned promotional activities.
6. Seek out new apartments for youth program participants that align with budgetary expectations, participant preferences, rent reasonableness, city Fair Market Rates, and schedule showings in partnership with case manager(s), program manager and youth as necessary.
7. Request and attend team meetings in support of participant planning and transitions.
8. Conduct consistent unit inspections, file and attend to maintenance requests whenever necessary to ensure youth are housed in apartments that meet appropriate safety and HUD habitability standards.
9. Provide ongoing support to landlords, property managers, and Supported Housing program staff with regard to leasing, rent, and other obligated payments.
10. Complete all required documentation in an organized and timely manner, and maintain consistent contact notes for all landlord and/or property management interactions.
11. Report on qualitative and quantitative data supporting outcome measurements.
12. Conduct internal monitoring of YHDP partnerships, expenditures and supportive service budgets and allowables.
13. Attend community-based landlord engagement and support events as opportunities present themselves.
14. Create a Supported Housing Department monthly newsletter for landlord and property management partners.
15. Participate in all program and agency meetings, trainings, and development opportunities.
16. Facilitate quarterly meetings with Program participants educating them on landlord/tenant law.
17. Complete other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervisory duties may be assigned

Education and/or Experience:

Requires education generally equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in the human services field or a related field; requires a low barrier and immediate access to housing approach. Previous experience working with landlords or property managers in a professional capacity is preferred.

Language Skills:

Requires ability to read, analyze, and interpret residential leases, contracts, general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations; ability to write reports, business correspondence, and newsletter articles; ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, professionals, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills:

Requires ability to perform basic high school mathematical operations; ability to handle money and operate general finance activities; ability to operate and have knowledge of basic office software, including word-processing, database systems, and spreadsheet programs.

Reasoning Ability:

Requires ability to carry out instructions provided in written and oral form; ability to deal with problems involving several abstract and concrete variables in standardized situations.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Candidates must have a valid Wisconsin driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance coverage; must have a reliable vehicle and ability to travel as necessary.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Experience working with a diverse population of individuals within the community is required.

• Must possess excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook computer programs is required. Requires ability to use office equipment such as computer, fax machine, telephone, and copier; ability to develop/maintain client records/files and generate reports for use by others.
• Must be able to work both independently and as part of a team, and to work in a changing environment where there is frequent exposure to stressful/crisis situations; must be willing to work a flexible schedule of morning, afternoon, and evening hours as program operation dictates; must be organized, reliable, and demonstrate the ability to maintain privileged client information; must work effectively within nontraditional youth settings with a diverse population of adolescents and young adults.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee 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 emergency situations or when other resources are not available, the employee must be willing to physically assist with client moves. This may include moving small furniture items or bags of linens/clothing.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects and to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, or sit. The employee is occasionally required to reach above shoulders, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch, and taste and smell. Specific visions abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Additional Information

Position pays $40,000 – $50,000, Pathfinders offers medical, dental, vision and insurance, and the opportunity to join a caring and committed team of professions.