Emergency Rental Assistance Program Jobs in Illinois

For more than 60 years, Franciscan Outreach has provided compassionate, low-barrier services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability throughout Chicago. Guided by the values of compassion, humility, and respect for human dignity, we help people move from crisis to stability through shelter, housing, prevention, and supportive services.

The Housing Stability and Homeless Prevention Case Manager provides housing-focused case management to individuals and families at risk of eviction, homelessness, or housing loss. Using trauma-informed, strengths-based, and Housing First approaches, the Case Manager assists clients with housing stabilization, financial assistance, resource navigation, and connections to community services that support long-term stability.

Case Management & Housing Stabilization

Conduct assessments to identify housing barriers, eviction risks, and service needs.

Develop and implement individualized housing stabilization plans.

Maintain a caseload of approximately 25 households.

Provide crisis intervention, problem-solving support, and ongoing case management.

Coordinate rental assistance, diversion services, and housing stabilization resources.

Assist clients in accessing permanent housing opportunities, including Coordinated Entry System (CES) referrals.

Advocate for clients with landlords, housing providers, and community agencies.

Monitor client progress and adjust service plans as needed.

Connect clients to employment, benefits, healthcare, mental health, substance use treatment, domestic violence services, legal assistance, and other community resources.

Conduct outreach in communities experiencing high rates of eviction and housing instability.

Build relationships with community partners, service providers, and stakeholders.

Participate in case conferences, community meetings, and collaborative initiatives.

Maintain accurate and timely client records in HMIS and other required databases.

Ensure compliance with program, grant, and data quality requirements.

Track client outcomes and support reporting and performance measurement activities.

Protect client confidentiality and adhere to all privacy and security standards.

Provide trauma-informed services to survivors of domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence.

Maintain confidentiality and support client safety planning and referrals to specialized services.

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Public Health, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.

Minimum of two years of experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, poverty, or related challenges.

Experience providing case management and resource coordination.

Knowledge of housing resources, homeless prevention programs, and community services.

Strong organizational, communication, and documentation skills.

Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.

Experience with homeless prevention, rapid rehousing, diversion, or housing navigation programs.

Experience using HMIS or similar case management systems.

Training in Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Housing First, Harm Reduction, or Crisis Intervention.

Experience serving survivors of domestic violence or gender-based violence.

Bilingual skills preferred.

Compassion and commitment to serving vulnerable populations

Strong relationship-building and advocacy skills

Trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices

Effective problem-solving and critical thinking

Franciscan Outreach is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage individuals with lived experience of homelessness, housing instability, recovery, or other relevant life experiences to apply.

This position plays a critical role in preventing homelessness, reducing evictions, and helping individuals and families achieve long-term housing stability and self-sufficiency.

Generous vacation program based on years of service.

Paid holidays based on position and eligibility

Paid Sick Leave days annually

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Accident & Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage

Complimentary life insurance

403b retirement savings plan

• COVID19 vaccination is mandatory for all employees. Accommodation requests will be considered in compliance with applicable laws
Additional Requirements:

All staff are expected to abide by the policies of Franciscan Outreach including, but not limited to rules governing ethics, confidentiality, dual relationships, honesty, and integrity. All staff are expected to always act in good faith and in keeping with the mission and values of Franciscan Outreach. Staff must have a commitment to serving the guests of Franciscan Outreach and to contributing to a positive, respectful, and accepting environment.

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. This description provides a summary of the major duties and responsibilities and is not an exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities. The employee holding this position may be required to perform additional duties to meet the needs of the organization.

Franciscan Outreach provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, military service and/or marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.