Description:
he Housing Locator is responsible for working with landlords, property managers, leasing agents, and housing providers, to identify housing opportunities for homeless families. The Locator will promote UBH’s programs and how they work to support families in housing. This includes educating prospective landlords, owners and management firms on the homeless continuum system, rental assistance programs, Section 8, and other housing assistance. Also, educate participants on landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities – with the intention of mitigating any potential tenant-related matter, including deterrence of evictions. Additionally, this position will provide support and guidance to landlords and property managers when issues in relation to participant’s housing occurs (e.g. late rents, neighbor issues, nuisance, etc.).
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Recruit landlords to participate in UBH housing programs by offering rental units to UBH clients. Develop and maintain relationships with private, public, and nonprofit landlords, including municipal housing departments.
- Identify and secure different types of housing opportunities including affordable housing, low-income units, project based Section 8, permanent supportive housing, shared housing, co-ops, mobile homes, special needs housing, set-asides, etc.
- Perform site visits at all prospective sites to ensure they meet guidelines for habitability standards.
- Develop and maintain a database of landlords and management firms working with the program, including a list of available units and amenities specific to each respective site.
- Maintain an up to date “Housing Kiosk” of current and upcoming open units, along with its eligibility criteria.
- Address client barriers to eligibility, such as prior evictions, and negotiate with landlords on client acceptance for units.
- Ensure the FMR are within contractual obligations. Negotiate rent when necessary.
- Network with collaborating entities providing housing, including affordable housing providers/developers, Lease-Up, HACLA, LACDA, etc. Collaborate with other partner agencies to utilize their housing placement slots for UBH clients.
- Provide training to program staff on how to complete housing application for each type of housing opportunity, including Section 8 or Shallow Subsidy for example.
- Pre-screen UBH clients in attempt to properly match eligible participants to proper unit.
- Schedule appointment/viewings with the respective landlord, and follow-up to find out status of referrals and potential move-in dates.
- Assist case managers in all aspects of locating and securing permanent housing (identifying housing resources, communicating and negotiating with landlords, processing and submitting application, advocating for participants, coordinating the enrollment/leasing process, etc).
- Provide advocacy as needed to help address issues and barriers between landlord and participant. Work in tandem with the housing case manager/stabilization team to address any participant-related issues. Respond (liaison) to complaints from landlords and participants related to housing issues.
- Participate in staff meetings, case reviews and other relevant trainings.
- Assist in maintaining case files, records, and other required documentation related to housing placement; and the preparation of periodic reports.
- Assist in the establishment and maintenance of landlord appreciation / engagement events.
- Other duties as assigned.