Case Manager/Eligibility Specialist

Housing Counseling Services, Inc. (HCS) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization founded in 1972   to provide comprehensive counseling, training, advocacy and technical assistance for low and moderate-income homebuyers, homeowners, tenants and the homeless; to help them to achieve successful living in healthy, safe, and affordable homes. Our goal is to prevent homelessness and offer improved housing opportunities by providing the skills, self-esteem and empowerment necessary within families and communities. Further, HCS works to build the individual and group capacity for economic, physical, and social development of homes, neighborhoods and communities.

Housing Counseling Services, Inc. seeks an energetic self-starter to conduct eligibility determination activities and provide support and referral services to households seeking housing services in the D.C. Metropolitan region.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Complete applications and eligibility determinations for Veteran households applying to HCS for services through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program;
• Apply federal program regulations towards determining eligibility for the SSVF programs;
• Communicate with Veteran applicants/program participants regarding the status of their application via written and oral communication;
• Conduct outreach at local shelters and transitional housing programs to engage Veterans in SSVF services;
• Conduct outreach to educate residents, community, organizations, and stakeholders about HCS programs and services;
• Interact with U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and local jurisdication towards supporting Veterans in accessing available services, programs, and resources.
• Advocate on the behalf of Veteran households with landlords, social service agencies, etc.;
• Respond to emergency needs of clients in collaboration with SSVF Program case managers;
• Refer households to appropriate services to address their various needs such as emergency housing, food, utility assistance, clothing, medical care, etc.;
• Maintain accurate written and computer based files;
• Provide accurate and complete monthly reports;
• Perform other HCS tasks as requested.

 QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree preferred. At least two years of specialized professional experience and/or education related to eligibility determination, case management, housing education/counseling, provision of services to at risk populations, or other related fields;
• Knowledge of VA Programs beneficial but not required. Military veterans strongly encouraged to apply.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and explain federal, local, and state laws and regulations.
• Experience working with special needs populations;
• Ability to work in a faced paced environment;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to respond to multiple emergency needs with patience and diligence;
• Must demonstrate the ability to communicate with variety of professionals including case managers, real estate, medical, and attorneys as well as with low and moderate income families from a variety of cultures;
• Ability to translate technical information into layman’s terms;
• Must demonstrate an ability to work with minimum supervision;
• Must be versatile in order to handle a wide variety of duties;
• Sensitive to the needs within the community and to individual clients;
• Knowledge of housing law or capacity to learn;
• Strong computer skills.