Job Summary: The Housing Specialist will play a crucial role in the LEAP program by securing and maintaining housing services for young people aging out of foster care and their families, ensuring their stability.

Essential Job Functions:

• Collaborate with case planners and other support staff to identify housing needs for youth;
• Help young people apply to permanent housing, when applicable, by helping them obtain Section 8 vouchers; apply to the NYC affordable lottery; apply for NYCHA; apply for other supportive housing programs.
• Work with young people aging out of foster care to submit all relevant housing applications; monitor/track said applications; and follow-up with housing programs as needed to support/expedite application processes.
• Escort young people to housing appointments;
• Assist parents in obtaining proper housing for their families (to support youth living with parents)
• Escort parents to housing appointments
• Collaborate with case planning team as well as members of the LEAP/Fair Futures team to support youth housing needs;
• Attend FTC’s to report on PYA progress as related to housing;
• Attend meetings convened by oversite and advocacy agencies as related to housing for youth and their families; act as liaison between oversight agencies, program leadership, and program staff regarding housing issues/policies.
• Conduct in-service trainings related to accessing housing to program leadership and staff; provide case consultation as needed.
• Conduct and participate in all necessary trainings

Knowledge, Education and Skills Required:

• Bachelor’s degree with two years of experience working with at-risk or system-involved youth.
• Associate’s or accredited vocational degree with three years of working with at-risk or system-involved youth.
• Excellent written and oral communications.
• Strong time-management, organizational skills, and attention to detail;
• Open to learning how to use and interpret data to inform decision-making;
• Ability to effectively collaborate in team settings and build relationships with external partners;
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed practice;

Knowledge, Education and Skills Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field preferred

Required Certification/Licensing:

• Not applicable

Hourly Rate: $27.47 per hour