The Housing Stabilization Case Manager is responsible for providing housing search, advocacy and stabilization support to individuals exiting substance use treatment through the Mayor's Office of Housing / Rapid Rehousing program. The program is designed to provide a pathway to increased housing retention through rental assistance and supportive services intending to lead to retention in permanent housing. The Housing Stabilization Case Manager reports to the Program Manager of the Mayor's Office of Housing / Rapid Rehousing program.

Location: Paths to Victory serves clients at our office in the South End and by meeting clients where they are in the Boston area. Paths to Victory provides housing access, housing stabilization, and wrap-around services to those experiencing literal homelessness and those exiting substance use treatment. We assist clients with moving into housing, accessing rental assistance, and connecting with all necessary supportive services. This program serves as a bridge to obtaining permanent, safe housing, increasing self-sufficiency, and gaining skills which support stable housing and health.

Essential Functions:

• Act in accordance with Victory Programs, Inc.’s Standards of Excellence, including maintaining professional ethics, boundaries and client confidentiality.
• Ensure that policies and procedures of the programs are followed.
• Implement best practices in compliance with Victory Programs’ Philosophy of Care and our Housing First philosophy.
• Identify housing options; communicate with landlords; view units with clients.
• Assist clients in locating units in which they’ll use the Rapid Re-Housing rental assistance to cover a portion of the rent.
• Support clients with lease-up, move-in, and access to household basics including furniture, cleaning supplies and food.
• Work collaboratively with others as part of a support team, including recovery home, detox, and other substance use treatment and recovery counselors, medical providers, homelessness services providers and other supportive services providers.
• Obtain signed consent to support and empower clients with the coordination of referrals and housing search, services that may include direct advocacy and support to coordinate with other aspects of the client’s needs.
• Identify housing supports necessary to maintain housing during rapid re-housing assistance period, including access to utilities, timely rent payments, tenancy responsibilities, and eviction prevention.
• Identify and provide support related to obtaining and maintaining housing beyond the period of rapid re-housing assistance, including income maximization, connections to job training and job search assistance, access to benefits, and additional housing search as needed.
• Meet with clients where they are: in substance use programs, where they are housed and in the community as needed, providing weekly case management unless otherwise noted.
• Accompany clients to resource-related appointments, appeals, and following up on submitted client applications.
• Using a client-centered approach, document individualized plans for clients for support services coordination. Goals need to be achievable, concrete, measurable and time limited.
• Continue to assess and provide referrals and other community-based recovery, health, nutritional and other support services for individuals receiving stabilization services.
• Promote access to and participation in the community and neighborhood, including the gathering and distributing information regarding community meetings, events, and resources.
• Develop a wide-ranging resource network for people with substance use disorder in the Boston area.
• Provide coordination, linkage and follow-up with existing service programs to maximize access to services.
• Maintain timely and accurate records of all client work, completing all program required assessments and case notes.
• Maintain clear, concise and accurate client files and data-based records.
• Complete any additional agency or funder reports as requested by your immediate supervisor or other designated person.
• Attend weekly team meetings, weekly supervision, monthly clinical supervision meetings.
• Attend staff meetings, complete required trainings and work collaboratively with the Program Manager to identify additional training needs.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Participate and support the agency in program holiday events, State House rallies, fundraising and advocacy events, HIV/AIDS rally and walk, and any additional functions.
• Attend additional training as requested by your supervisor to enhance skills
• Perform any other duty or task that may be requested by a supervisor or the Program Director.
• Represent Victory Programs, Inc. in external meetings, as requested.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree with 1-2 years’ experience preferred, or High school diploma with 3 or more years of client advocacy experience. Relevant experience may include: housing search, housing stabilization and retention, case management, SUD services, employment training and job search services.
• Experience advocating for clients with government assistance agencies, housing authorities, private landlords or realtors preferred.
• Openness to harm reduction philosophy.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively as a member of a professional team.
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong computer skills, including Google office suites and Internet use.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in multicultural settings with diverse client groups, including people with mental health concerns and substance use disorder.
• Must be CPR certified (may be obtained upon hire)
• Complete TB screening (may be obtained upon hire)
• Three strong work related professional references; at least 2 from manager or supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual (English/Spanish, Haitian Creole) preferred.
• A valid Massachusetts driver’s license with a safety driving points of 00, 99, 01, 02, or 03.

Position Type: Full-Time (40 hours) Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. On-site.

This is a 2 year contracted position with potential for extension. You will be guaranteed a similar position within the agency in the event the contract is not extended.

Rate: $26.00/hr

Victory Programs values a diverse workforce, as we collectively seek to create welcoming, inclusive and accessible environments for our employees and the people we serve. We strive to sustain healthy, functioning communities that respect and celebrate different experiences, identities, cultures and ideas.

Victory Programs has helped individuals and families in crisis for over 45 years. Thousands turn to us yearly for shelter, sustenance, recovery, care, and professional, compassionate support. Most struggle with homelessness, substance use and mental health, and many live with HIV/AIDS. Our team of more than 300 staff across over 30+ programs works with people to develop and execute creative, safe solutions to the very real challenges our clients face.

Our benefit program includes a 75% health and 25% dental employer premium contribution, 100% employer paid disability and life insurance. Victory Programs offers a generous paid time off package to all employees including vacation, sick, and personal time as well as holidays. Upon hire, all staff are entitled to up to: 4 personal days, 160 sick hours, 10 holidays and 3 1/2 weeks of vacation. These figures adjust based on full time or part time status and allocated vacation time increases with length of employment.