Housing Locator

Title: Housing Locator

Reports To: Housing Outreach Coordinator

"La Casa Norte's mission is to serve youth and families confronting homelessness. We provide access to stable housing and deliver comprehensive services that act as a catalyst to transform lives and communities." La Casa Norte's mission and philosophy of service is to impact the social issues of homelessness at the individual and community levels.

This is a full-time position working Monday through Friday, 9AM – 6PM and/or 10AM – 7PM. Eligible applicants will be available to work some evening hours and one Saturday per month as needed.

Expected Goals and Objectives

Goal One: To link clients to affordable housing options by:

• Building and maintaining relationships with private landlords and other housing providers; expanding LCN's landlord portfolio.
• Connecting with landlords via neighborhood outreach, internet search, and networking events.
• Creating and maintaining a housing resource database containing available market-rate and affordable housing.
• Providing clients with listings of potential housing options in alignment with clients' housing needs and geographic preferences.
• Assisting clients when contacting and negotiating with landlords.
• Accompanying clients and/or transporting clients to apartment viewings.
• Advocating with landlords for clients with rental barrier such as prior evictions, poor credit, and criminal history.
• Establishing positive relationships with clients in assessing their housing needs.
• Conducting apartment inspections and working with landlords to correct any deficiencies.
• Educating landlords about LCN's role in supporting tenants, including rental assistance, rental subsidies, and supportive services.
• Conducting rent reasonableness assessments.
• Supporting landlords in providing all necessary paperwork to participate in LCN programs.

Goal Two: To support clients to remain stabilized in permanent housing by:

• Preparing clients to conduct their own housing search, apply for apartments, and negotiate with potential landlords.
• Developing educational pieces and providing workshops to clients on tenant rights and responsibilities, financial literacy, household management and apartment leasing application processes.
• Conduct follow-up with tenants and landlords after housing placement; assist case management staff in mediating any landlord-tenant issues that may arise.
• Offering technical assistance to landlords to support them in maintaining safe and decent housing for tenants and remaining in compliance with fair housing lows.

To contribute to the overall success of LCN by:

• Attending weekly staff meetings and case review meetings
• Participating in on- and off-site staff trainings, workshops and outreach events as needed
• Participating in LCN's fundraising events
• Working in a team approach to deliver existing programs and to develop new programs
• Performing other duties as needed

Qualifications

Experience

• Demonstrated desire and ability to work with youth, families and individuals that are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless, providing appropriate support, motivation and compassion in accordance with La Casa Norte's mission and philosophy of service.
• Ideal candidate will have at least six months experience working with at-risk and/or homeless populations and/or at least six months experience working with issues of homelessness, affordable housing, and/or housing discrimination.

Knowledge and Skills

• Bachelors degree preferable
• Bilingual strongly preferred (Spanish and English)
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge regarding the social, economic, and cultural patterns of various Latino & African-American populations
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Desire, creativity, and flexibility to work in a new and fast growing agency
• Willingness to work flexible hours as needed and have impeccable attendance
• Must have a car and valid drivers license
• Ability to handle various projects concurrently

La Casa Norte is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stand, walk, walk up and down stairs, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.