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. Powered by JazzHR
