• Housing Advocate, HOPWA

    South Middlesex Opportunity Council (Framingham, MA)


    Summary: Provide housing services to low income families and individuals living with HIV/AIDS who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, by assisting them to find affordable housing, maintain existing tenancies or to relocate to safe and permanent housing.

     

    Why Work for SMOC?

     

    + Paid Time Off: All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation, and 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year of employment.

    + Employer-paid Life Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability for full-time employees.

    + Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical Plans through Mass General Brigham with an HRA Employer cost-sharing program, Dental Plans with Orthodontic Coverage, and EyeMed Vision Insurance available to full-time employees.

    + 403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match starting on day one for all full-time and part-time employees.

    + Additional voluntary benefits including; Term and Whole Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity, and Short-Term Disability.

    + Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.

    Primary Responsibilities:

    + Perform client intake and assessment and develop housing search strategies with clients.

    + Provide a coordinated housing search of private market housing and/or subsidized housing programs for clients who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.

    + Gather all required income and demographic documentation for all program clients.

    + Input data and maintain up to date and accurate files on all clients to ensure accurate record keeping and outcome reporting.

    + Advocate on behalf of clients and attend court hearings when necessary.

    + Establish and utilize linkages to SMOC and other community-based programs to assist in the stabilization of clients.

    + Participate as a member of interdisciplinary team of care providers at the Opportunity Center and community to facilitate the exchange of information for case management purposes.

    + Participate in ongoing treatment planning and case conference with other staff and community providers.

    + Provide transportation as needed to ensure clients can get to various appointments.

    + Assist clients in securing individual supports and benefits (i.e. SSDI, health insurance, SNAP, etc.) and housing.

    + Maintain accurate case records and provide progress reports to Program Director as needed. Perform data entry including updating data/case notes and referrals in Octopia.

    + Provide front desk coverage at the Opportunity Center.

    + Engage all clients by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside the scope of work.

    + Attend and participate in team meetings as requested and communicate effectively with clients and staff in other areas.

    + Maintain confidentiality of client, employee and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements

    + Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as, SMOC policies & procedures.

    + Other duties as assigned.

    Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

    + Bachelor’s degree or experience in related field.

    + Experience working with people with HIV/AIDS.

    + Well organized person with excellent verbal and written skills.

    + Ability to initiate task independently as well as carry out assigned duties.

    + Strong computer skills including housing search, Word and Excel.

    + Working knowledge of health insurance, including MA Health, SSDI and legal services.

    + Must be sensitive to the needs of low-income population.

    + Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and ability to meet insurance standards.

     

    Organizational Relationship: Directly reports to Component Director, CGRC. Direct reports to this position are none.

     

    Physical Requirement: Ability to drive. Ability to ascend and descend stairs. Ability to lift up to 10lbs.

     

    Working Conditions: This position will require some travel. As part of the responsibilities of this position, the HOPWA Housing Advocate will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

     

    Monday through Friday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Includes a 1-hour unpaid lunch break.

     

    35 Hours per week.