DIVISION

HPLSP

LOCATION

Chelsea

HIRING MANAGER

Jayna Stafford

TIME REQUIREMENT

Full-time

About Us

At Housing Families, we are working to achieve housing equity and wellbeing for all. We partner with communities, families, and individuals to ensure housing stability by offering tailored services including temporary and permanent housing, food assistance, counseling and therapy, legal services, and youth programs.

With Housing Families’ continued growth, we now offer services in Malden, Everett, Revere, Chelsea, and Medford, where, since our inception in 1986, we’ve strengthened housing security for over 2,400 families and individuals.

We are looking for those who share in this vision and for skilled, compassionate individuals who share in our agency values of Respect, Caring, Integrity, Growth, and Team Work:

  • Respect – We treat people with dignity.
  • Caring – We show compassion and act thoughtfully.
  • Integrity – We adhere to high standards.
  • Growth – We foster innovation and continuous development.
  • Team Work – We collaborate and celebrate.

Role Purpose & Responsibilities

Purpose

The Housing Advocate will play a key role in the Chelsea, MA Office of Housing Stability.  The employee will be responsible for helping households experiencing or at-risk of homelessness develop housing strategies for obtaining permanent housing and connecting families to necessary supports to increase stability and assist in homelessness prevention activities. This is done through building a relationship with clients, thoroughly assessing their strengths and barriers to obtaining housing, collaborating with each household to minimize barriers to housing, searching for housing, and advocating for them.

Responsibilities

  • Develop relationships with clients who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless and facing issues such as mental illness, substance abuse, physical disability, history of trauma and/or domestic violence, and poverty.
  • Tasks will include meeting regularly with each client, completing thorough assessments, providing support and referrals as well as ensuring regular contact with other services providers.
  • Thoroughly assess clients’ strengths and barriers to obtaining permanent housing and develop a housing strategy that incorporates means of mitigating any barriers to permanent housing.
  • Assist clients in completing housing applications and ensuring that all preferences and priorities are obtained.
  • Attend housing screenings and appeals with clients.
  • Complete all necessary paperwork and documentation needed to be in compliance with program requirements and state regulations.
  • Support agency by volunteering for agency events.
  • All other assigned duties as they arise.
  • Participate in All Staff meetings and other identified trainings and meetings.

Qualifications

  • Bilingual candidates fluent in Spanish strongly encouraged to apply.
  • Experience working with and understanding low-income populations.
  • Detail oriented ability to be flexible and remain positive.
  • Knowledge of relevant human services programs.
  • Open to feedback with a desire and ability to learn and grow.
  • Strong verbal and written communication.
  • Ability to empathically de-escalate emotional reactions.
  • Critical thinking, analytical, problem solving and negotiating skills. Ability to remain calm and responsive during crises.
  • Ability to practice clear role boundaries and refer questions and concerns outside job scope to appropriate staff.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must have reliable transportation and be willing to travel in the Greater Boston area
  • Bachelors’ degree in legal services, psychology, social work, public health, or related field preferred
  • Equivalent combination of formal education and related experience may be substituted for degree
  • Prior experience working with low-income individuals and/or families required
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel
  • Excellent communication and engagement skills.
  • Attention to detail and time management
  • Teamwork and service minded
  • Must have unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States
  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Ability to form strong interpersonal relationships with people from diverse backgrounds (staff, clients, etc.)
  • Must be able to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) background check
  • Must be fluent in English and proficient in Spanish

Physical Requirements

  • Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time at a desk while working on a computer.

Application/Compensation:

  • Compensation/Hours: Full-Time Hourly
  • Benefits:  Eligible for full benefits including Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, 403B Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off
  • Please send a cover letter and resume to: HR@housingfamilies.org Include “HPLSP Spanish Speaking Housing Advocate – Chelsea” in the subject line.
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