Housing Case Manager

Organizational Overview

Upward Bound House (UBH) is dedicated to ending the cycle of intergenerational family homelessness. We compassionately provide a continuum of services ranging from crisis housing to permanent housing and homelessness prevention. With over 30 years of experience in family homelessness, UBH is a leading services provider, contributing to and advocating for lasting solutions to end family homelessness. Our diverse team is passionate about our mission. UBH provides a fast-paced environment that values empowerment, collaboration, diversity, relationships, efficiency and communication. UBH provides a supportive, caring and merit-based environment for team members and is vested in their growth and development. We seek employees who are passionate about serving and making a difference in the lives of others.

Summary

The Bringing Families Home Subsidy program (BFH) provides rapid re-housing and case management services to families in the child welfare system, who service component may include, but are not limited to; Family Reunification, Family Maintenance, or families in receipt of voluntary supervision to prevent the need for the child or children’s removal. The goal is to significantly reduce the number of families in the child welfare system experiencing homelessness.

The ideal BFH Housing Case Manager will work in collaboration with the Housing Locator/Matcher to network with owners, landlords and property managers to identify housing opportunities for homeless families, and to education them on UBH rental assistance programs. The BFH Housing Case Manager will also help educate on housing right laws and responsibilities, with the intention of mitigating any potential tenant-related matters, including deterrence of evictions. Additionally, this BFH Case Manager will provide support and guidance to participants and landlords when housing issues occurs i.e. late rents, neighbor issues, etc.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct comprehensive intake and assessments of participants to develop Housing Case
• Coordinate and provide care and services that are safe, timely, efficient, equitable, and client-centered.
• Assist participants achieve wellness and autonomy through case management services which include but are not limited to providing appropriate resources, tools, and counseling; making referrals for services and following up to ensure that the referrals were completed; tracking and documenting participant
• Recertify participants every 3 months to determine progress and
• Educate participants and apply the ‘step-down’ approach to decreased rental assistance over time, leading to self-sufficiency.
• Link participants to services and programs that provide specialized care (i.e. mental health, substance use, domestic violence, childcare, employment, etc).
• Assist participants in all aspects of locating and securing permanent housing (identifying housing resources, communicating and negotiating with landlords, processing and submitting application, advocating for participants, coordinating the enrollment/leasing process, etc).
• Document and maintain up-to-date information on services provided to participants in the and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) within 48 hours of interaction.
• Maintain electronic and hard copy case
• Perform rent calculations for rental assistance programs and counsel participants regarding rent, security deposit and lease
• Network with new owners, landlords and property managers to discuss UBH’s rental assistance and placement
• Educate landlords on how the short/medium-term and long-term rental subsidy programs works including timeframe and potential payment breakdown and encourage their
• Perform inspections, post participant acceptance, of unit for habitability standards, including safety and security Ensure the FMR are within contractual obligations. Negotiate rent when necessary.
• Provide advocacy as needed to help address issues and barriers between landlord and Work in tandem with the stabilization team to address any participant-related issues.
• Participate in staff meetings, case reviews and other relevant
• Attend community meetings and other assigned meetings, events, workshops,
• Other duties as

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree, from an accredited College or University, in Human Services (e.g., psychology, social work, sociology or related field)
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with unhoused populations; homeless families
• Demonstrated knowledge of fair housing laws and
• Knowledge of the child welfare system
• Exhibit high level of
• Understanding of best practice approaches including: Housing First, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, and Trauma-Informed
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Ability to maintain personal and professional
• Highly motivated self- starter with the ability to work in a high-pressure
• Experience working with a diverse population, with sensitivity to differences in culture, religion, sexual orientation, race, age, and physical and mental
• Ability to respond responsibly in emergency and crisis
• Intermediate proficiency in Windows Office Suite programs and a data management system (HMIS preferred).
• Position requires travel primarily in Los Angeles
• Knowledge of community
• Valid California driver’s license and proof of auto insurance .

 MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

• Employment Eligibility Verification
• Reliable transportation
• Updated tuberculosis test
• Successful completion of background
• CPR/First Aid training
• Must have Valid CA Driver's License
• Must provide proof of insurance coverage
• Must be able to qualify for UBH drivers’ insurance coverage

RESPONSIBILITIES COMMON TO ALL AGENCY EMPLOYEES

• Maintain a safe work environment and confidentiality at all times.
• Be proactive, creative, and flexible in determining, evaluating, researching, and resolving issues.
• Organize and prioritize multiple activities to meet all external and internal deadlines.
• Maintain professional demeanor that reflects positively on the agency.
• Demonstrate respect and courtesy toward others.
• Able to thrive in a work environment emphasizing teamwork and collaboration.
• Respond in a timely manner in all aspects of communication.
• Work with average supervision.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, EQUIPMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not attentive to personal health and safety for themselves. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the client’s use of alcohol and drugs, and the lack of personal care. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations Employee is required to:

Walk and climb stairs; Handle, finger, grasp and feel objects and equipment; Reach with hands and arms; Communicate, receive and exchange ideas, information by means of the spoken and written word; Be mobile by moving oneself from place to place quickly and easily; Repeat various motions with the wrists, hands and fingers; Be able to have visual activity for (including, but not limited to) administrative and clerical tasks; Drive personal vehicle in and around Los Angeles County and periodically transport clients; Be able to enter various buildings that may require climbing stairs. Be subjected to outside environmental conditions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you require an accommodation, please make sure to inform the Human Resources Department by the first week of employment. If an accommodation is not required at the time of employment, but is later required, you must inform the Human Resources Department of the need for accommodation at the time it is needed.