Housing Specialist - PACT

Bay Cove Human Services’ mission is to partner with people to overcome challenges and realize personal potential. Bay Cove pursues this mission by providing individualized and compassionate services to people facing the challenges associated with developmental disabilities, mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness at more than 175 program sites throughout Greater Boston and Southeastern Massachusetts. 

Bay Cove Human Services is committed to ensuring the representation and participation of candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We encourage all qualified individuals, particularly those from historically marginalized groups, to apply.

Job Summary: 

The Housing Specialist will work flexibly to assist guests to find and secure housing and to manage medical and mental health issues as part of the team of staff at a DMH Dual Diagnosis Shelter for homeless individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse issues.  This position contributes to Bay Cove’s Mission by engaging with individuals served by the dual-diagnosis shelter and working with them to realize their goal of obtaining housing. This is a non-exempt position.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Essential Functions of Position:

• Engage in relationship building with shelter guests with sensitivity to the needs of the long term homeless population with concurrent mental health and substance use issues.
• Collaborate with guests’ treatment teams to ensure coordinated and efficient services, including housing referrals.
• Assist guests to identify and overcome barriers to housing such as obtaining identification, birth certificates, and social security cards, resolving debts to utility and housing authority providers, and verifying homelessness, income, and assets. 
• Assist guests to obtain and maintain needed benefits and entitlements.
• Accompany guests to housing-related appointments and medical and psychiatric appointments.
• Teach guests housing search skills such as locating potential units, completing applications, speaking with landlords, and following up on applications submitted.
• Assist guests in carrying out housing searches by assessing housing needs, assisting individuals in applying for the subsidies for which they are eligible, conducting housing searches, assisting clients in applying for units, and following up on applications submitted.
• Establish and maintain relationships with landlords, property management companies, and housing authority staff to facilitate housing searches and to secure new housing opportunities as they arise.
• Complete documentation pertaining to the client record.
• Provide crisis assessment, prevention, and needed interventions.
•  Complete other duties and projects as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements for the position:

• BA preferred; but minimally a GED or High School Diploma.
• Two years direct care experience providing services to adults with mental health issues, substance abuse issues, and those who have experienced homelessness.
• Valid driver’s license and use of one’s personal vehicle.
• Demonstrated commitment to housing as an essential right for all persons.
• Demonstrated organization skills and professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends on an as needed basis.
• Proficiency in word processing and other computer functions to complete required documentation.
• Ability to climb stairs and carry up to 40 pounds, as well as the physical capacity to assist people with mobility impairments as needed.