About the role
The Senior Housing Specialist plays a lead role within Care For the Homeless’ Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) program, a HUD Continuum of Care (CoC)-funded initiative serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness across all five New York City boroughs. This position is responsible for delivering high-quality, participant-centered housing services including unit identification, landlord engagement, lease-up support, housing stability counseling, and crisis intervention while serving as a resource and informal mentor to junior Housing Specialists on the team. The Senior Housing Specialist operates within a Housing First framework, ensuring compliance with HUD regulations, HMIS documentation standards, and CFH program policies at all times.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Housing Search & Unit Procurement * Conduct proactive outreach to landlords, brokers, and property management companies to recruit and maintain a pipeline of affordable, HUD-eligible housing units across NYC boroughs. * Guide program participants through the housing search process, including apartment viewings, application support, and landlord negotiations. * Review and assess unit habitability to ensure compliance with HUD Housing Quality Standards (HQS) prior to lease execution. * Facilitate lease-up processes, including preparation of occupancy agreements, review of lease terms, and coordination with legal counsel as needed. * Maintain and update the department’s unit tracking tools, including the Stability Voucher/Section 8/ housing vouchers pipeline tracker, ensuring accuracy in unit availability, application status, and move-in * timelines.
Participant Services & Case Coordination * Carry an active caseload of program participants, providing direct services aligned with individualized housing stability plans. * Conduct regular home visits and check-ins to assess housing stability, address barriers, and coordinate supportive services as needed. * Collaborate with Care Coordinators and external service providers to facilitate warm referrals for mental health, substance use, employment, and other wraparound supports. * Deliver housing stability counseling, financial literacy guidance, and tenant rights education to program participants. * Support participants in understanding and exercising their rights under NYC rent stabilization, DHCR regulations, and applicable tenancy law.
HMIS Documentation & Compliance * Enter, update, and maintain accurate and timely data in Foothold AWARDS (HMIS system of record) in accordance with HUD data standards, CFH policies, and CoC reporting requirements. * Complete required program documentation including intake assessments, housing plans, progress notes, move-in/move-out records, and case closures. * Ensure all files electronic and physical are maintained in accordance with HUD interim rule and CFH confidentiality standards. * Assist with data quality reviews and prepare case-level documentation for internal audits, HUD monitoring visits, and CoC performance reporting.
Leadership & Team Support * Serve as an informal resource and mentor to Housing Specialists and Leasing Assistant offering guidance on * complex cases, landlord negotiations, and HUD compliance questions. * Support onboarding of new Housing Specialist and Leasing Assistant staff, including sharing program workflows, HMIS documentation practices, and community resource knowledge. * Participate in team meetings, case conferences, supervisory check-ins, and department-wide trainings. * Assist the Director of CoC Programs with special projects, quality improvement initiatives, and the development or revision of program materials and tools. * Serve as a point of contact for participants and landlords when the Housing Specialist is unavailable, ensuring continuity of service.
Community & Broker Relations * Represent CFH’s RRH program professionally in community settings, housing fairs, broker outreach events, and external stakeholder meetings. * Maintain positive, ongoing relationships with landlord partners to support housing placement and retention. * Stay current on NYC affordable housing landscape, including changes to Section 8/Stability Voucher policies, FHEPS, LINC, and other rental assistance programs applicable to the RRH participant population. * Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient operation of the department.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Education: * Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Public Health, or a related field (preferred).
Experience: * Minimum of 3–5 years of directly relevant experience in housing services, case management, or homeless services, with demonstrated experience in unit procurement and landlord engagement. * Prior experience working within a HUD CoC-funded program (Rapid Re-Housing, Permanent Supportive Housing, or similar) strongly preferred. * Experience using Foothold AWARDS or another HMIS platform preferred. * Comprehensive knowledge of HUD Housing First principles, RRH program requirements, and 24 CFR Part 578 regulations. * Familiarity with NYC’s affordable housing landscape, including Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers, Stability Vouchers, FHEPS, and NYC rental subsidy programs. * Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with demonstrated ability to engage and retain landlord and broker partnerships. * Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage a high-volume caseload and maintain accurate documentation under deadlines. * Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook); experience with housing tracking tools or HMIS platforms preferred. * Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain professional boundaries, and navigate complex participant situations with empathy and confidentiality. * Ability to travel throughout the five boroughs to conduct home visits, unit inspections, and community outreach.
Pay: $85,000 - $90,000
Languages: * Bilingual English/Spanish/French strongly preferred.