Housing Support Specialist

Harbor Health Services is an innovative, growing, mission-based organization that lives, serves and collaborates with our community members to achieve our mission to help individuals reach their full potential through access to local, affordable services that promote health. Harbor Health operates two Programs for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in Mattapan and Brockton, providing comprehensive healthcare, transportation and social services for more than 500 frail elders who continue to live with dignity and independence in the community. We are seeking a Housing Support Specialist to join our team at the Elder Service Plan. 

We offer an excellent, comprehensive benefits package including Health, Dental, Vision, Life, & Disability insurance, 403b Savings Plan, Generous Paid Time Off plus 11 additional Holidays and much more! 

Role: 

The Elder Service Plan (ESP) Housing Support Specialist works with ESP’s contracted housing developments in our Mattapan and Brockton territories. This position is responsible for developing and maintaining the social and wellness programming needs of ESP clients; as well as provides housing support to our current and prospective clients.

Position includes 20 hours weekly dedicated to the Anne Lynch Homes at Old Colony in South Boston and 20 hours weekly dedicated to other housing contracts in the Mattapan and Brockton territories of the Elder Service Plan. 

Responsibilities: 

Social and Wellness Programming

• Works with ESP members, housing teams and residents to develop and maintain targeted social and wellness programming at Anne Lynch Homes (S. Boston) and Walker School (Taunton).
• Publishes monthly calendars for all resident to access and periodically obtains feedback about interest/accessibility of activities.
• Engages members of the ESP staff and Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) Members to perform wellness lectures and events.
• Accesses cost-effective community resources to bring in speakers and activities to align with resident interests (e.g., support groups, physical activities).

 Housing Support

• Manages ESP current and prospective clients’ housing applications and reviews with housing partners.
• Develops and maintains affordable housing waitlists for ESP contracted housing sites.
• Works closely with contracted affordable housing management to oversee the application process to ensure successful housing placement.
• Acts as primary housing liaison between all contracted housing providers and ESP, including attending regularly scheduled meetings and escalating issues as needed within all organizations.
• Visits each ESP contracted housing site once monthly, at a minimum, to engage with housing partners and clients. 

General 

• Exhibits excellent working relationships with clients, caregivers and staff, effectively communicating HHSI’s mission. 
• Attends regular staff meetings, trainings and other meetings as requested. 
• Records client care management information in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) no later than 24 hours after contact.

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services or Related Field 
• Current BLS (Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers) Certification required
• 2 years of professional experience working in community service- related field
• 1 year of experience working with a frail elder population (paid or volunteer experience) preferred
• Basic skills in effectively using Microsoft Office applications: specifically, Word, Excel and Outlook
• Critical thinking skills to problem solve individually, and in a team setting
• Bilingual desired, English /Spanish, Haitian Creole, Russian, and/or Portuguese
• Must be able to travel to each housing site within the Mattapan and Brockton territories and Harbor Health ESP locations in a timely manner
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to prioritize, organize and schedule busy workdays
• Intermediate business writing skills

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.