The Bridge - Housing Specialist (HLPS) - Community Support Program at The Bridge

The Bridge offers supportive housing and behavioral health services to vulnerable New Yorkers facing behavioral health and substance use challenges. We provide individuals with the tools they need to pursue their dreams and live meaningful lives. The Bridge envisions a world where adults experiencing serious mental illness can live and thrive within their communities. As a recognized leader in developing and operating supportive housing and community-based programs, The Bridge has 70 years of experience helping New Yorkers with mental illness, including those affected by homelessness, incarceration, and institutionalization.   

Scope of Position: The HLPS Housing Specialist is part of a human service team that develops and executes housing plans, placement, and follow-up for referred clients. The HLPS Housing Specialist is responsible for collaborating with case managers and clients and the HLPS Housing Acquisitions Director to identify and secure permanent housing.  The H+H HLPS program is an innovative program that provides targeted housing location, placement and support to individuals identified by NYC Health + Hospitals. The H+H HLPS works with individuals referred to identify appropriate housing based on assessed need, desire and availability and expedites placement to identified housing. The Bridge is a subcontracted partner (along with three other not-for-profit agencies) with Coordinated Behavioral Care. 

Essential Position Functions:   

• Establish linkages and maintain solid working relationships with supportive housing providers, real estate brokers, managing agents, and landlords to identify new housing opportunities for clients.
• Maintain and update a database of available housing options with relevant details and document status changes/findings/activities and provide updates on new and total inventory on a weekly or more basis. Maintain consistent, transparent communication and sharing of relevant information with HLPS program partners.
• Ensure uniformity in maintaining fair housing standards in securing apartments.
• Confirm landlord and management company compliance in meeting the established housing laws, building codes, and lease agreements.
• Inform case management staff of unit readiness and/or problems with clients maintaining units.
• Work with case managers to identify and problem-solve barriers to permanent housing and assist with preparing clients for the housing process.
• Work with case management staff to resolve crises or conflicts with building owners, landlords, and management.
• Provide accurate, complete, and timely data entry and other documentation of findings, apartment unit status, inspections, readiness, and as needed, interactions and assessments with clients.
• Attend staff meetings, case conferences, group supervision, and professional development activities such as in-service trainings, seminars, webinars, and conferences as needed. Collaborate with other consortium partners as necessary.
• Support an environment that embeds diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).
• Participate in workplace culture that inspires high-level performance, collaboration, accountability, and professional and respectful interaction.
• Employ best practices for effective feedback and communication at all levels of staff engagement.
• Perform all job-related tasks as required.

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Services field.
• Work experience should include, but is not limited to, NYC voucher programs, housing subsidies, supportive housing programs, and negotiating lease agreements with landlords and/or realtor management companies providing housing for special needs populations.
• Knowledge of applicable state and city housing and disability laws and codes is essential.
• Computer literacy with advanced knowledge of Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Prior experience using HOME, CARES, CAPS, Housing Connect, etc. databases.
• Willingness to travel throughout the five boroughs and make multiple visits in the community as needed. Sporadic evening or weekend hours may be required.
• Demonstrated commitment to quality and data-driven reporting as applicable.
• Excellent public-facing customer service skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, flexible, and innovative approach to housing availability search.
• Bilingual highly desired

The Bridge Inc. is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer