Housing Specialist

About Abode: When you join Abode, you’re not just taking a job, you’re becoming part of a team creating meaningful change in our communities and a commitment to lasting housing stability. At Abode, we believe everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home. Our mission is to solve homelessness through housing and supportive services that help individuals and families achieve stability and independence. Grounded in the Housing First model, we meet people where they are and provide individualized support based on their needs, goals, and strengths. Housing Ends Homelessness Our Mission: Abode works to end homelessness by assisting low-income, unhoused people, including those with special needs, to secure stable, supportive housing; and to be advocates for the removal of the causes of homelessness. Our Values: * Start with Dignity * Take Smart Risks * Be transparent * Solve for today and tomorrow * Spark each other’s strengths About The Role: The Housing Specialist is responsible for locating housing units, working closely with landlords, collaborating with service providers, and providing general housing support to ensure that homeless individuals and/or families can secure and maintain housing. How You Make An Impact:  * Provide housing placement and assistance for participants, focusing on the household’s needs and goals.  * Housing search and placement of appropriate units for potential participants.    * Network with landlords, renter’s associations, property management businesses and county wide permanent housing providers.  * Assist with the approval of all leases and help execute Housing Assistance Payment contracts with landlords.  * Prepare and ensure the accurate distribution of subsidy payments to landlords as needed.  * Provide move-in support for program teams, including perform or arrange for Housing Quality Inspections (HQI’s) prior to move-in, negotiate lease start date, review /approval of lease terms, coordinate housewarming furniture move, get documentation from landlord for check request, prepare move in documentation, upload housing documentation to Welcome Mat housing database.  * Provide notices of contract renewals and rental adjustments.   * Participate as a member of the service team by attending case conference meetings, assisting service staff in evaluation of participant’s housing readiness, reducing housing barriers and status of unit availability.  * Maintain contact with participants, monitor progress, report, and refer to team members as necessary after housing is secured.  * Provide aid and expertise to landlords or service staff for conflict resolution and problem solving.  * Ensure that all regulatory agreements, contracts, and fair housing laws are met as they relate to housing.  * Attending staff meetings and other agency functions as needed.  * Other duties as assigned.  How You Meet Qualifications:  * High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.  * 1 year of experience working in the housing field, social services, or sales/customer service experience and knowledge of the local housing markets and geography.  * Use of personal vehicle and proof of valid California Driver's License and current auto insurance, along with a clean DMV record, is required.   * Flexible schedule to work evening and weekend hours when required.  Our Benefits and Perks:  * Competitive pay: $28.85 - $31.74 per hour * Work arrangement: Onsite position * PTO:19 days per year, increasing with tenure * Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year * Health & Wellness: * 100% medical, dental and vision coverage options for employees * Employer subsidized options for dependent health care." * Legal and financial services and more through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) * Mental health care service provided by Teledoc * Flexible Spending Account (FSA) * Commuter * Health care * Dependent care * Retirement Plan: 403(b) w/ employer match & contribution programs Notice: Abode Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace .