Case Manager, Homelessness Prevention

Role: Case Manager, Homelessness Prevention
Reports to: Program Manager, Homelessness Prevention
Program: CES - Homelessness Prevention
Department: Housing
Location: New Nest - 316 W. 2nd St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Status: Full Time, Non-exempt (Hourly), Non-management
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement Planning (403b), Employee Assistant Program (EAP), etc.

SUMMARY

The Coordinated Entry System (CES) Homelessness Prevention program assists participants who are at risk of becoming homeless due to being in the early stages of the eviction process by assisting to retain permanent housing. This program is designed to divert participants from entering the homeless shelter system by providing housing assistance benefits and linkage to legal services to participants who are at imminent risk of homelessness, in coordination with regionally located CES lead agencies. This position will assist in resolving clients' housing crises that would otherwise lead to a loss of housing, including but not limited to short term financial assistance, housing-related support services, legal assistance and client care plans that lead to housing stabilization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assess housing barriers of participants who are unstably housed and at-risk of homelessness to determine housing and service needs
• Develop housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with participants. This will include an intake interview/assessment to determine eligibility, and household needs, goals, and potential linkage to employment, legal, mental health, medical, and other community services.
• Provide advocacy with landlords on the household's behalf to develop a workable plan to maintain housing.
• Determine the appropriateness of households for receipt of prevention funds and recommend amount and tracks use of prevention funds.
• Create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e., tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors, and creditors)
• Serve as an ongoing liaison between property managers, legal supports and participants as well as between participants and neighbors.
• Apply knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate participants of their rights and responsibilities.
• Mediation between the program participant and the landlord/owner or person(s) with whom the program participant is living, provided that the mediation is necessary to prevent the program participant from losing permanent housing in which the program participant currently resides.
• Works in conjunction with legal service entities to facilitate the workflow between case management and legal service support.
• Linkage to credit counseling and other services necessary to assist program participants with critical skills related to budgeting, managing money, accessing a free personal credit report, and resolving personal credit problems.
• Document all services identified and provided, referrals made, and transportation provided.
• Advocates for and actively assists individuals in obtaining services (e.g., benefits, mental health, substance abuse, housing referrals, financial assistance, home-based services, training, medical services, mentoring and socialization).

QUALIFICATIONS

1. High School Diploma or G.E.D.
2. Knowledge of homeless social service providers and Coordinated Entry System
3. Able to communicate and interact with subcontractors, housing providers and community partners in a culturally competent manner
4. Detail oriented with excellent time management, organizational, written, verbal, interpersonal, and computer skills
5. Self-starter with the ability to stay ahead of the curve and thrive in fast-paced work environment
6. Able to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies

Preferred Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in related field (Social Work, Community Organizing, or other Human Services) and one years' full-time experience working with the homeless, preferably those living with mental illness and / or substance addictions; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

WORK ENVIRONMENT

1. Combination of field and office environment
2. Regularly required to sit, stand, bend; occasionally lift or carry up to 35 lbs.
3. On occasion walk or drive to different local sites
4. Will necessitate working in busy and loud environments
5. Will be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise and odor
6. May need to bend, stoop, twist, and sit throughout the day