BRIDGES TO HOUSING STABILITY, INC. CES Housing Advocate Columbia, MD · Full time Company website

Apply for CES Housing Advocate

Bridges to Housing Stability, Inc. (“Bridges”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Howard County, MD. Bridges’ mission is to provide a path to self-sufficiency to prevent and end homelessness through affordable housing solutions and advocacy in Howard County. To that end, Bridges provides affordable housing and/or case management to households who are precariously housed and overburdened with rent, facing eviction and at risk of homelessness, or already homeless. For more information, please see www.bridges2hs.org.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

General:

• Maintain Bridges’ standards of confidentiality and professionalism
• Attend, participate and present case information at HSP Meetings, staff meetings, other work group meetings, on occasion, networking events and weekend Bridges’ activities 
• Utilize personal phone and vehicle, as applicable, to carry out duties (applicable for reimbursement pursuant to Bridges’ Employee Handbook)
• Represent Bridges and its mission to families, community organizations, funding sources, congregations, volunteers, etc. 
• Understand Bridges’ programs and public profile and be able to communicate these as needed outside the organization.
• Collaborate with other staff and third-party consultants on marketing and fundraising campaigns and strategies (including assisting with social media efforts relating to HSP activities and accomplishments) 
• Participate in Bridges’ training and, on occasion, networking events and weekend Bridges’ activities 
• Other duties as assigned

 

Position-Specific:

 

• Contribute to the achievement of HSP metrics and program goals 
• Adhere to the established program guidelines and written standards
• Maintain a case load of 15 to 20 households assigned by the Director
• Provide intensive and supportive case management to homeless and at-risk households within the Housing Stability Programs, to include:
• Performing client intake assessments to assess a client’s eligibility for programs as assigned and needs by conducting client interviews, gathering information, reviewing support documentation (as applicable)
• Guiding households in the development of individualized Housing Stability Plans with the overall goal of permanent housing retention
• Identifying and referring clients to community resources to address their Housing Stability Plan goals
• Networking, negotiating, and incentivizing landlords to assist clients in housing location and placement efforts
• Match participants with partner landlords and encourage clients to conduct housing searches in areas where they are interested in living
• Maintaining availability, as needed, to promote open, effective communication with clients
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database and in Bridges’ tracking tools, complying with all HMIS policies and processes for data entry and client confidentiality.
• Assure case files are complete and orderly; complying with Bridges’ standards and grant requirements.
• Assist in updating procedures and recommend policy changes to Housing Connections Manual as needed
• Cultivate landlord relationships and educate them on Federal, State, and County Fair Housing laws that prohibit discrimination against tenants in protected classes.
• Provide support to other HSP clients, as needed, in the absence of their assigned case manager/housing advocate.
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of affordable housing and related resources in Howard County and surrounding areas 

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A commitment to Bridges’ vision to increase affordable housing in the County to prevent and end homelessness
• Undergraduate degree either in a human services, social work, or related field (Note that 2+ years of relevant experience may be considered in substitution for education),
• 2+ years of human service experience working with low income, multi-challenged families and individuals
• Ability to build and sustain trust with clients and landlords
• Familiarity with Fair Housing laws
• A strong sense of urgency about the importance of preventing and ending homelessness
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proven strategic thinker and problem solver
• Proficiency in Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Familiarity with Howard County resources is preferred
• Bilingual candidates strongly encouraged to apply

 

Intentionality in organizational practices is a core value of Bridges to Housing Stability, Inc. resulting in culturally competent services, materials, resources, and programs. Our hiring and business practices appreciate the strengths offered through different backgrounds. Bridges is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

 

HOURS: This is a full-time (40 hours a week) non-exempt position. This position is in person in our Columbia, Maryland office, with an option for some remote work after a probationary period.

 

SUPERVISOR: Director of Homeless Services 

 

SALARY: $53,000 to $57,000 per year

 

BENEFITS: Bridges provides medical, dental, vision and life insurance, a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for health and dependent care expenses, short-term disability, Bridges’ Simple IRA matching (up to 3% of salary), $600 annual phone allowance, and flexible leave.  

 

Visit www.bridges2hs.org for additional information about Bridges and the Housing Stability Program.