Rental Assistance Coordinator

Description

Under the management of the Associate Director, the Rental Assistance Coordinator will strengthen housing stability in preventing homelessness for opportunity youth from Housing & Support Services Department and Workforce Development Programs. The Rental Assistance Coordinator will work with staff across different departments to address housing needs to our youth population, ages 18 to 25, and connect them to housing resources that are appropriate in fulfilling those needs by providing high-touch case management services, to accessing supportive service resources such as: housing navigation, rental assistance, childcare, etc.

The Rental Assistance Coordinator will be responsible for the outcome in housing improvement, health and wellness needs to support the diverse population of our program participants. The Rental Assistance Coordinator will continue to build on our existing relationship with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services to help connect current and former foster youth to the AB12 extended foster care program, as well as housing resources and referrals to internal or external services. The Rental Assistance Coordinator will also be responsible for tracking housing stability through placement outcome, staff observation and retention of stable housing support that prevent future episodes of homelessness while enrolled in CRCD programs. Data will be tracked through CRCD’s internal data system, Salesforce, and shared quarterly and/or annual through written reports and data analysis. The Rental Assistance Coordinator will interface with landlords and assist youth throughout the entire housing search and move-in process. Once the young person is in housing, the Rental Assistance Coordinator will assist them in developing an individualized action plan, with a focus on housing stability to pay rent on time and assist with communication between the landlord and youth to address any lease agreement violations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for working with youth to effectively assist in housing support, provide supportive services and case management based on need, facilitate referrals to Workforce Development services, and other community resources.
• Provide housing stabilization services to the youth and follow up with landlord at least once every other week
• Build on existing relationship between CRCD, DCFS, LAHSA, Private Landlords and other supporting agencies that strengthen outcomes in housing. 
• Establish and cultivate relationships with landlords and other housing providers to build a portfolio of housing options for youth.
• Act as liaison among the property manager, the property management company, the youth, and other staff to facilitate the communication of concerns that could jeopardize the youth’s residency.
• Provide information and instructions to youth regarding Fair Housing, tenant rights and responsibilities under the rental agreement and property rules.
• Assist youth in obtaining rental assistance, move-in/eviction prevention services.
• Address tenant grievances, mediate tenant disputes and resolve any issues with property management that might affect the youth’s tenancy.
• In collaboration with Property Manager, conduct wellness checks and housing inspections as needed
• Monitor status of clients who have moved into housing and prepare clients who are deemed ready to transition to mainstream non-supportive housing.
• Coordinate with other staff to transport youth to attend apartment viewing.
• Participate in care coordination meetings and other CRCD service provider related meetings.
• Work closely with the Program Manager & CRCD’s L&E Team to input timely & accurate data into HMIS, CHAMP and Salesforce data system.
• Compile and submit quarterly/annually reports that track client status and supportive services.
• Maintain accurate client case files of all required housing documents.
• Attending staff development training as assigned.
• Able to travel to multiple sites providing services and support.

Requirements

• 1-2 years’ work-related experience or a bachelor’s degree; or an associate degree and 2 or more years’ experience providing housing-based support services to youth facing multiple barriers to housing stability.
• Experience working with youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability, and/or have had experience in foster care, probation, mental health systems.
• Reliable, flexible team player who works well with minimal supervision, who has a good work ethic, and an ability to set and maintain personal boundaries.
• Demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, and to meet deadlines.
• Reliable transportation: valid driver's license, and car insurance as required by law, as appropriate.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Complete, maintain, and self-audit all case files including daily/weekly tracking of case notes, services delivery, and progress towards outcomes.
• Ability to create database profiles and enter data in required databases, compile and submit reports that track clients progress and support services.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred