The Housing Specialist advances housing placement and stability for people experiencing street and subway homelessness through the Safe Options Support program. Working within a Housing First, person-centered model, the position coordinates referrals and housing activities, identifies temporary and permanent options, strengthens partnerships, provides technical assistance to SOS teams, and tracks housing progress and outcomes.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, public health, public policy, or a related field; equivalent certification or relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum of two years of comparable housing, real estate, or housing-navigation experience serving economically or socially disadvantaged individuals or families.
• Experience serving or developing systems for people experiencing homelessness, chronic health conditions, behavioral health conditions, or Medicaid-related needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Housing Navigation and Placement

• Identify and secure transitional and permanent housing opportunities for SOS participants.
• Assess housing preferences, eligibility, readiness, service needs, and placement barriers with SOS multidisciplinary teams.
• Coordinate interviews, apartment viewings, assessments, inspections, lease signings, move-ins, and related field support.

Housing Coordination & Partnership Development

•  Serve as the primary liaison among SOS teams, housing providers, landlords, brokers, shelters, government programs, hospitals, outreach teams, social service providers, and managed care partners.
• Build and maintain partnerships that expand housing opportunities and support timely placement.
• Advocate with housing entities and subsidy programs to resolve eligibility issues, delays, tenancy barriers, and housing retention needs.

Housing Resource Management

• Maintain current knowledge of relevant federal, state, city, and local housing resources, rental assistance, supportive housing, subsidies, vacancies, and lotteries.
• Maintain housing resource directories, opportunity lists, landlord information, and referral guidance for SOS staff.
• Act as the central point of contact for housing opportunities and help teams match participants with appropriate resources.

Tracking, Reporting & Quality Improvement

• Maintain accurate tracking of referrals, applications, documentation, subsidy approvals, placement progress, move-ins, retention efforts, and outcomes.
• Prepare timely pipeline updates, performance metrics, and reports for leadership and funders.
• Lead housing reviews with SOS teams, analyze trends and barriers, and support action plans and quality-improvement strategies.

Training & Technical Assistance

• Provide case consultation and technical assistance on housing resources, eligibility, subsidies, documentation standards, and effective housing practices.
• Train SOS staff on housing navigation, supportive housing processes, vouchers, housing readiness, landlord engagement, and workflows.

Program Operations

• Participate in supervision, staff meetings, trainings, provider convenings, and collaborative activities in a professional and respectful manner.
• Support special projects, workflow improvements, and program initiatives that reduce unsheltered homelessness and increase housing stability.
• Maintain accountability, effective communication, and timely documentation across assigned work.

Skill Requirements

• Knowledge of person-centered, strengths-based, and Housing First practices.
• Ability to collaborate respectfully with participants, SOS partner staff, government agencies, housing providers, and other stakeholders while recognizing cultural differences.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to quality, accurate documentation, and data-driven reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, and willingness to learn required housing and electronic record systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently and as part of a team, and seek assistance when needed.
• Strong service orientation, problem-solving skills, and ability to use data to address housing and provider issues.
• Action-oriented, flexible, and innovative approach to housing navigation and placement.
• Ability and willingness to travel within New York City.

Non-Exempt; Salary: $65K

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.