Housing Program Assistant Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

The ACCS Housing Coordinator promotes the full integration and functioning of Persons Served (PS) needed to live successfully in the community. Work with PS to identify housing needs and preferences; help them access housing rapidly and maintain housing successfully. Intervene as needed to preserve tenancy of PS. Develop and maintain relationships with local property managers, landlords, housing authorities, etc. Consult with Team members on housing related issues.

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed below:
• Use recovery-oriented, person-centered, culturally competent and strengths-based approaches to help PS find, get and keep housing and facilitate movement of PS to appropriate housing settings.
• Provide outreach services to Team PS, whether they currently reside in shelters, on the street, in temporary housing/respite or GLEs/SIEs to identify their housing needs and preferences.
• Assess PS history in relation to requirements of specific subsidy and/or housing requirements. Complete housing profile for each new PS with information from the PS, mental health practitioners, and with permission, family members and/or legal information or eviction history. Update the PS housing profile after each housing placement ends.
• Help PS complete all needed housing and subsidy paperwork. Ensure that referrals, applications and renewals are completed and submitted as required and in a timely manner.
• Provide training and support (instruction, assistance, modeling and reinforcement) for PS in housing search and for tenancy maintenance.
• Locate and secure new properties and conduct housing search activities for PS.
• Develop individualized housing plan for PS, following Vinfen’s protocols for rapid access to housing and reducing restrictions to housing for assigned PS, using Housing First principles to facilitate access to affordable housing resources. Housing plan interventions for independent housing may include applying for wait list or available subsidized or affordable housing, addressing barriers to eligibility for housing subsidies or preferred housing, gathering required furniture and household equipment prior to move in, preparing PS to accept and adhere to lease requirements and tenancy obligations, skills development and resource acquisition related to tenancy maintenance (e.g., bill paying, utility management, skills 
for relating to neighbors, managing visitors, evaluating the need for Representative Payeeship for some PS based on housing history), etc.
• Help PS understand entitlement and subsidized housing benefits when applicable so that PS make financially informed decisions about housing opportunities available to them.
• Consult with GLE/SIE Program Director on role as Landlord when PS is, in effect, a tenant of Vinfen.
• With GLE/SIE staff, assist PS when transitioning in and out of GLE/SIE settings to reduce the length of time needed for transition to placement.
• Act to preserve tenancy of PS and prevent homelessness (e.g., intervene with landlords to resolve tenancy issues as they arise, access Contingency Funds to pay rent if needed, consult with LPHA on possible treatment interventions, collaborate with Team to intensify services, consult with GLE/SIE staff on Community Residence Tenancy Act processes, help the PS learn needed skills, etc.).
• Provide PS and Team members, including GLE and SIE PS and staff, with training, information and expert advice about subsidized and other affordable housing opportunities and housing related services and resources.
• Perform evidenced-based clinical and recovery oriented interventions including Motivational Interviewing; Harm Reduction and Addiction Treatment support; Screening; Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT); Housing First; Stages of Change; Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP); Seeking Safety and Cognitive Behavioral interventions. Perform, train, supervise, mentor, and model Housing First intervention.
• Provide thorough and thoughtful documentation of PS needs and services.
• Educate and support PS family and friends (following HIPAA authorization requirements) regarding PS needs and preferences for housing, including living with family or friends.
• Consult with Vinfen’s Affordable Housing Department staff as needed to produce additional alternative strategies to find and preserve housing.
• Manage available subsidies specifically allocated to the Team, subsidy referrals, and database.
• Maintain current lists of available and wait list of local, state and federal subsidized and affordable programs, properties, tenant-based housing programs and resource guides, including housing appropriate for elders and transitional age youth.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local property managers, private landlords, Community Development Corporations, and local housing authorities to find available housing opportunities. Act as primary contact person with these entities to facilitate rapid housing placement.
• Participate as member of Housing Coordinator Community of Practice Workgroup led by Vinfen’s Director of Affordable Housing for continuous professional role development, mentoring, and learning.
• Attend staff meetings at residential settings as needed.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills:
• Strong commitment to the right and ability of people served by ACCS to live, work, have meaningful relationships and receive the clinical treatment, resources and supports needed to thrive in their community of choice
• Extensive knowledge of types of available housing and housing subsidy programs and how to explore and identify housing opportunities in an unfamiliar community
• Knowledge of housing first principles and requirements
• Knowledge of formal and informal housing assessment skills and practices
• Skill in helping people integrate into the community through use of natural supports and basic community resources
• Knowledge of PS engagement strategies
• Ability to adhere to the standards of Motivational Interviewing; Harm Reduction; Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT); Housing First; Stages of Change; and Cognitive Behavioral interventions
• Knowledge of the effects of prejudice (including internalized negative attitudes about oneself), discrimination, and oppression of people with psychiatric disorders, and the effects of poverty

• Knowledge of recovery-oriented, person-centered and strengths-based values and principles
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally competent services. Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability and gender issues of PS 
• Knowledge of human, legal, and civil rights of PS
• Skills and competence to formulate effective Treatment Plan interventions for housing, and to ability to train other Team staff to implement aspects of plans 
• Ability to collaborate effectively with other Team members to address the needs of PS in the Treatment Plan
• Ability to form supportive, trusting relationships with PS
• Knowledge and use of different communication and learning styles
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment
• Knowledge of documentation standards and requirements

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Typical Requirements:
• A high school diploma or equivalent is required. A Bachelor’s degree in mental health, social services, or business is preferred. 
• Experience working with people with serious psychiatric conditions preferred.
• Experience managing affordable housing and or housing supports preferred.
• Knowledge of housing subsidy programs.
• One year experience in Real Estate brokerage or management preferred.
• Must have access to an operational and insured vehicle and be willing to use it to transport PS. 
• Bilingual/bicultural applicants and applicants with lived experience of psychiatric conditions are encouraged to apply.

Driving Requirements:
Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or a personal vehicle. If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least six months, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.

Physical Effort:
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. 
Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift. 
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer. 
Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.

Ability to assist PS with tasks of daily living.

Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed.

Ability to bend, reach, file, sit, stand, and move around the facility.

Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with PS, staff, and external representatives.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Additional Certifications Required:
CPR required within first two weeks of hire
First Aid required within two weeks of hire
MAP required within 150 days of hire