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Case Manager, Housing Retention Specialist

OVERVIEW

In an atmosphere of dignity and respect, Inspiration Corporation helps people who are affected by homelessness and poverty to improve their lives and increase self-sufficiency through the provision of social services, employment training and housing. Since 1989, Inspiration Corporation has assisted thousands of individuals and families affected by homelessness, extreme poverty and recent incarceration each year - serving as a catalyst for self-reliance.

Inspiration Corporation programs are voluntary, and all service needs and goals are participant- driven. Our case management philosophy is strengths-based and trauma-informed. Inspiration Corporation practices harm reduction and focuses on reducing or minimizing the harm associated with high-risk behavior through motivational interviewing.

At Inspiration Corporation, employees live this mission by demonstrating the following core values. Inspiration Corporation believes that these core values are what make the organization one of Chicago’s leading facilitators of personal transformation, and a great place to work:

1. Communicate honestly
2. Act with compassion
3. Pursue growth and learning
4. Be humble
5. Take care of ourselves so we can help others
6. Work greater together
7. Create a fun and productive environment

Position Summary

Inspiration Corporation's Housing Services program provides over 250 formerly homeless individuals with the housing and services they need to get off the streets and live independently. Our dedicated Case Managers/Housing Retention Specialists work with participants of our program to assess potential barriers to maintaining stable housing and to assist participants with achieving goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

General

• Demonstrate Inspiration Corporation’s Core Values.
• Exhibit professionalism and high standards in all aspects of performance.
• Ensure the efficient and effective provision of housing services with dignity and respect in accordance with the agency’s mission.
• Work with all departments as appropriate to ensure that the needs of the agency’s participants are addressed.
• Attend department and agency meetings.

Housing Services

• Ensure that all established program goals are met or exceeded.

• Assess new referrals’ eligibility for services and enroll eligible participants into programs.
• Assess participants’ potential barriers to maintaining stable housing. Provide them with support to improve housing retention, stability, quality of life and self-sufficiency.
• Work with assigned participants to create goal-based action plans and revise them when necessary.
• Provide case management and other support to make progress on their goals, including working with partners and children. Maintain regular contact, including visits to participants’ apartments.
• Provide resources, referrals and follow-up for household members to meet families’ comprehensive needs and advocate on behalf of participants to ensure they receive needed services.
• Address any chronic issues, such as substance use or mental illness, which might compromise achievement of goals and cause relapse into homelessness.
• Ensure that all school-age children are enrolled in school and that children under 5 have appropriate developmental assessments.
• Find apartments for participants when needed, establish and maintain relationships with landlords or property managers, and facilitate execution of leases. Advocate on behalf of participants to promote housing quality and stability.
• Assist participants with moving and obtaining furniture or home supplies.
• Maintain case notes on participants' progress and complete all required tracking and reports in a timely manner.
• Work with housing staff to organize and facilitate tenant surveys and meetings.

Program Support 

• Maintain appropriate data collection and reporting as required for internal management reports and external funding sources and regulatory agencies. Participate in program audits.
• Prepare monthly requests for payment of rent and utility bills, and track collection of tenant rent, working with Finance Department.
• Provide suggestions to senior staff to develop new or modify existing services, policies and protocols to meet the needs of program participants in alignment with the agency’s strategic directions.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of the housing program.

Education, Experience & Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The following requirements are representative of the education, experience and skills necessary for the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

 Personal vehicle and valid driver’s license required. Bachelors Degree or equivalent life experience required; graduate-level studies preferred. Degrees in Social Work or related field preferred. Two years’ work experience in case management in a non-profit setting and/or significant life experience. Candidates who have worked with homeless or impoverished populations preferred for position. Skills in Windows operating environments, Microsoft Office, and electronic record-keeping preferred.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is regularly required to stand. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10-20 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Main office location: 4554 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640. Visits participants in their apartments, located throughout the City of Chicago. Maintains standard office hours. Attends evening, weekend, and early morning meetings and functions as required.

 TO APPLY

Email resume & cover letter to: resumes@inspirationcorp.org. Please include “Case Manager, Housing Retention Specialist" in the subject line of your email.                                                                                                                                                 

Inspiration Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.

Posted on 2/06/20