The Senior Housing Specialist plays a lead role within Care For the Homeless' Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) program, a HUD Continuum of Care (CoC)-funded initiative serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness across all five New York City boroughs. This position is responsible for delivering high-quality, participant-centered housing services including unit identification, landlord engagement, lease-up support, housing stability counseling, and crisis intervention while serving as a resource and informal mentor to junior Housing Specialists on the team. The Senior Housing Specialist operates within a Housing First framework, ensuring compliance with HUD regulations, HMIS documentation standards, and CFH program policies at all times.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Housing Search & Unit Procurement- Conduct proactive outreach to landlords, brokers, and property management companies to recruit and maintain a pipeline of affordable, HUD-eligible housing units across NYC boroughs.
- Guide program participants through the housing search process, including apartment viewings, application support, and landlord negotiations.
- Review and assess unit habitability to ensure compliance with HUD Housing Quality Standards (HQS) prior to lease execution.
- Facilitate lease-up processes, including preparation of occupancy agreements, review of lease terms, and coordination with legal counsel as needed.
- Maintain and update the department's unit tracking tools, including the Stability Voucher/Section 8/ housing vouchers pipeline tracker, ensuring accuracy in unit availability, application status, and move-in
- timelines.
Participant Services & Case Coordination- Carry an active caseload of program participants, providing direct services aligned with individualized housing stability plans.
- Conduct regular home visits and check-ins to assess housing stability, address barriers, and coordinate supportive services as needed.
- Collaborate with Care Coordinators and external service providers to facilitate warm referrals for mental health, substance use, employment, and other wraparound supports.
- Deliver housing stability counseling, financial literacy guidance, and tenant rights education to program participants.
- Support participants in understanding and exercising their rights under NYC rent stabilization, DHCR regulations, and applicable tenancy law.
HMIS Documentation & Compliance- Enter, update, and maintain accurate and timely data in Foothold AWARDS (HMIS system of record) in accordance with HUD data standards, CFH policies, and CoC reporting requirements.
- Complete required program documentation including intake assessments, housing plans, progress notes, move-in/move-out records, and case closures.
- Ensure all files electronic and physical are maintained in accordance with HUD interim rule and CFH confidentiality standards.
- Assist with data quality reviews and prepare case-level documentation for internal audits, HUD monitoring visits, and CoC performance reporting.
Leadership & Team Support- Serve as an informal resource and mentor to Housing Specialists and Leasing Assistant offering guidance on
- complex cases, landlord negotiations, and HUD compliance questions.
- Support onboarding of new Housing Specialist and Leasing Assistant staff, including sharing program workflows, HMIS documentation practices, and community resource knowledge.
- Participate in team meetings, case conferences, supervisory check-ins, and department-wide trainings.
- Assist the Director of CoC Programs with special projects, quality improvement initiatives, and the development or revision of program materials and tools.
- Serve as a point of contact for participants and landlords when the Housing Specialist is unavailable, ensuring continuity of service.
Community & Broker Relations- Represent CFH's RRH program professionally in community settings, housing fairs, broker outreach events, and external stakeholder meetings.
- Maintain positive, ongoing relationships with landlord partners to support housing placement and retention.
- Stay current on NYC affordable housing landscape, including changes to Section 8/Stability Voucher policies, FHEPS, LINC, and other rental assistance programs applicable to the RRH participant population.
- Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient operation of the department.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Education: - Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Public Health, or a related field (preferred).
Experience:- Minimum of 3-5 years of directly relevant experience in housing services, case management, or homeless services, with demonstrated experience in unit procurement and landlord engagement.
- Prior experience working within a HUD CoC-funded program (Rapid Re-Housing, Permanent Supportive Housing, or similar) strongly preferred.
- Experience using Foothold AWARDS or another HMIS platform preferred.
- Comprehensive knowledge of HUD Housing First principles, RRH program requirements, and 24 CFR Part 578 regulations.
- Familiarity with NYC's affordable housing landscape, including Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers, Stability Vouchers, FHEPS, and NYC rental subsidy programs.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with demonstrated ability to engage and retain landlord and broker partnerships.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage a high-volume caseload and maintain accurate documentation under deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook); experience with housing tracking tools or HMIS platforms preferred.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain professional boundaries, and navigate complex participant situations with empathy and confidentiality.
- Ability to travel throughout the five boroughs to conduct home visits, unit inspections, and community outreach.
Pay: $85,000 - $90,000
Languages:- Bilingual English/Spanish/French strongly preferred.
