Housing Retention Specialist, Tenant Success Services 460 Main St, New York, NY 10044, USA Req #2643 Monday, July 1, 2024 ABOUT US: - We believe that everyone deserves a home! Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness. But we didn't stop at providing housing. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness - especially those who have been on the streets the longest - to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get, and stay, on the path to a permanent home. Tenant Success Service s is Breaking Ground’s newest model of permanent housing service which includes projects that are a part of NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Our Space Initiative as well as private partnerships with developers. Utilizing a Critical Time Intervention (CTI) approach, the program provides "light touch" housing retention services to formerly homeless households during the first year of tenancy, a ssisting with their transition out of the shelter system and into permanent housing. Reporting to the Clinical Coordinator , Tenant Success Services t he Housing Retention Specialist implement s “light touch” supportive services and through their interventions promote s and foster s long term housing stability , prevent s eviction , and return to shelter. The Housing Retention Specialist carries a caseload of up to 20 households, including formerly homeless families and individuals with special needs or who are at risk of eviction as a result of rent arrears or other lease violations. The Housing Retention Specialist conduct s home visits on a weekly basis, upon move-in , and during the first 1-3 months. As households settle into their new homes, levels of services will be adjusted accordingly, and ongoing, so that services are right-sized for each household. Efforts are largely preventative in nature focusing on maintaining benefits/subsidies and avoiding rent arrears, referral to community-based services, community integration. The Housing Retention Specialist is the liaison between on-site social services and property management staff. ESSENTIAL DUTIES A ND RESPONSIBILITIES : + Conduct regular home visits in tenant s’ apartments + E scort tenants to appointments as needed + Conduct initial and ongoing assessments to assess observed and self-identified needs , and create mutually agreed upon service plans + Provide assistance obtaining and maintaining entitlements and benefits including advocacy and guidance with subsidy recertification, Public Assistance, SSI/SSDI, voucher renewal, and SCRIE/DRIE applications and renewal + Promote financial literacy through group programming, workshops, and individual sessions . Topics include assistance with creating and managing a household budget, referral s to financial repair services, etc. + Connect tenants to short-term rental assistanc e by referring households in need to the local Homebase provider and other rental assistanc e programs + Provide education and guidance around lease responsibility including expectations around being a good neighbor, rent obligations, use of the unit, safety, etc. + Collabora te with building management during regular meetings to address any concerning issues raised by building management or other tenants + Provide r eferral s to community based primary care and behavioral health services + Support education and job training including workshops, individual counseling, referral to educational resources including GED support, and referral to vocational preparation resources including resume assistance and job training/placement programs + Provide DV/IPV support including crisis intervention, safety planning, and connection to community resources for ongoing services and support + Assist with tracking s chool attenda nce and school interventions + Maintain record keeping in compliance with agency standards as well as those of City and State agencies + Perform other duties as assigned MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: + Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field re quired , MSW preferred + Minimum 3 years of experience working with formerly homeless individuals and families + Housing-based case management experience strongly preferred + Demonstrated understanding of behavioral health, and is familiar with best practices in mental health and substance use recovery which are rooted in harm reduction + Ability to positively engage with residents who present with special needs + Strong collaborative skills; a bility to work successfully with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders + Excellent interpersonal skills, creativity, and problem-solving ability EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled Other details + Pay Type Hourly + Min Hiring Rate $25.85 + Max Hiring Rate $25.85 Apply Now + 460 Main St, New York, NY 10044, USA