| Position Title: | Housing Support Specialist |
| Supervisor: |
Housing Support Officer |
| FLSA Status: | Non-exempt |
| Location: | 2515 A Street Anchorage, AK 99503 |
| Schedule: | Full-Time, 40 hours per week |
| Start Date: | $20-24/hr |
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Housing Support Specialist (HSS) is responsible for providing intensive case management services to individuals and families in NeighborWorks Alaska’s (NWAK) Supportive Housing Programs. This position ensures that participants receive comprehensive housing support, referrals to services, and advocacy to promote long-term housing stability.
Under the supervision of the Housing Support Officer (HSO), the HSS conducts intake assessments, develops service/action plans, coordinates supportive services, performs Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) service transactions, assists with self-sufficiency planning, and intervenes as needed to support program participants. The HSS also works closely with the Housing Placement Officer (HPO), Supportive Housing Officer (SHO), Housing Intervention Specialist (HIS), landlords, and external service providers to address barriers to housing stability.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Client Outreach & Engagement Prior to Program Approval
- Conduct proactive outreach to individuals referred to the program, ensuring they understand eligibility requirements, available services, and the application process.
- Engage with potential participants through phone calls, emails, and in-person meetings to assess interest, answer questions, and address concerns about the program.
- Assist clients in gathering required documentation, including identification, income verification, homelessness documentation, and disability verifications, to streamline the approval process.
- Conduct preliminary assessments to identify immediate needs, potential barriers to housing stability, and suitability for program participation.
- Educate potential participants about housing expectations, lease responsibilities, tenant rights, and supportive services available through the program.
- Work closely with Coordinated Entry (CE) and community partners to ensure referred individuals receive timely follow-up and support.
- Facilitate warm hand-offs to assigned Housing Support Specialist (HSS), Housing Support Officer, Housing Placement Officer, or other relevant staff for continued case management upon program approval if applicable.
- Maintain detailed records of outreach efforts, including client engagement attempts, follow-ups, and barriers encountered.
- Build trusting relationships with potential clients, using trauma-informed care approaches to encourage participation and engagement in services.
- Case Management & Housing Support
The Housing Support Specialist (HIS) plays a vital role in helping clients maintain stable housing by providing intensive case management, structured service planning, and life skills coaching. HSS works directly with clients to develop individualized service plans, address barriers to housing stability, and ensure long-term success. This includes regular check-ins, crisis intervention, resource connection, and practical skill-building to support independent living.
Key areas of intensive case management and life skills coaching include:
a. Intake & Needs Assessment
- Conduct program intakes for all new participants, identifying needs, barriers, and eligibility requirements.
- Develop individualized service/action plans, ensuring participant-centered goals and strategies.
- Complete and maintain accurate documentation, including HMIS entries and TEAMS entries with case notes and service transactions.
- Identify Coordinated Entry (CE) outreach and caseload outreach needs. Participate in all CE meetings and case conferencing between NWAK and Alaska Coalition to End Homelessness.
b. Individualized Case Management & Service Planning
- Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify client needs, strengths, and housing stability risks.
- Conduct self-sufficiency matrix assessments (at least yearly, every 6 months is preferred) to track participant progress and stability.
- Develop individualized service plans with measurable goals and action steps to address barriers to housing retention.
- Regularly update and revise service plans based on progress, challenges, and evolving client needs.
- Facilitate case conferencing with Housing Support Officer (HSO), Housing Placement Officer (HPO), Supportive Housing Officer (SHO), and other key staff to ensure coordinated support.
- Track client progress using HMIS service transactions and maintain up-to-date case documentation.
- Assist with lease renewals, housing recertifications, and compliance with housing program requirements.
- Ensure clients understand and adhere to program participation agreements to maintain eligibility.
- Conduct regular check-ins with participants, based on clients identified case level, to monitor progress and address challenges.
c. Budgeting & Rent Payment Planning
- Work with clients to create and manage personal budgets, prioritizing rent, utilities, and essential expenses.
- Educate participants on financial literacy, including savings strategies, avoiding predatory loans, and managing credit.
- Provide one-on-one support for financial planning, including setting up payment plans for rent arrears.
- Assist with SOAR applications and connecting clients with income stabilization programs such as SSI, SSDI, SNAP, and General Assistance.
- Refer clients to employment services and workforce development programs for increased income stability.
d. Conflict Resolution & Communication Skills
- Teach effective communication strategies for interacting with landlords, neighbors, and service providers.
- Guide clients in problem-solving and conflict resolution techniques to prevent housing crises.
- Identify tenant education workshops covering renter rights, lease agreements, and fair housing laws.
- Mediate tenant-landlord disputes, advocating for solutions that prevent eviction.
- Conduct role-playing exercises with clients to strengthen their negotiation and self-advocacy skills.
e. Tenant Responsibilities & Lease Adherence
- Review lease agreements in detail, ensuring tenants understand rental policies, rules, and financial obligations.
- Educate clients on unit maintenance responsibilities, including timely reporting of repairs and following landlord guidelines.
- Conduct habitability and home management training, covering apartment cleanliness, safety, and household organization.
- Ensure tenants understand the importance of rent recertifications, income verifications, and compliance with program guidelines.
f. Accessing Community Support Services & Crisis Response
- Provide direct referrals to local agencies for food assistance, transportation, healthcare, and employment support.
- Assist clients in applying for utility assistance programs (LIHEAP, energy subsidies, etc.) to prevent service disconnections.
- Connect participants to mental health, substance use, and trauma-informed care services as needed.
- Work with emergency assistance programs to help tenants avoid evictions due to financial hardship.
- Provide crisis intervention by developing emergency action plans for clients facing immediate risk of housing loss.
- HMIS & Compliance Documentation
- Ensure timely and accurate HMIS service transactions, documenting participant interactions, progress, and services provided.
- Perform initial and annual income verifications, ensuring compliance with funding and program requirements.
- Participate in case conferencing to review caseload progress and identify service gaps.
- Document all program participant interactions, interventions, and updates in Teams.
- Participant Transportation & Service Coordination
- Transport clients as needed, ensuring access to appointments, housing-related services, and community resources.
- Maintain an updated directory of community resources for client referrals.
- Facilitate connections to specialized services such as mental health care, employment programs, and addiction treatment.
- Collaboration & Interdepartmental Coordination
- Work closely with the Housing Support Officer (HSO), Housing Placement Officer (HPO), Supportive Housing Officer (SHO), and Housing Intervention Specialist (HIS) to coordinate participant services.
- Serve as a liaison with landlords, ensuring clear communication between property managers and program staff.
- Attend and participate in staff meetings, case reviews, and community partnership meetings as needed.
Statement of Physical/Mental Requirements of the Job:
(N = Never; R = Rarely; O = Occasionally; F = Frequently; C = Continually)
Work inside C Lifting to 10 lbs. O
Work outside R Lifting 11-20 lbs. O
Extreme Cold Weather N Lifting 20-30 lbs. R
Fumes or Airborne Particles N Lifting over 30 lbs. N
Toxic/Caustic Chemicals N Push/Pull (explain below) R
Blood-Borne Pathogens O Sitting C
Fire/Explosion Risk N Standing F
Electric Shock Risk N Walking F
Loud Noise R Stooping/Kneeling R
Confined Spaces R Crawling N
Normal Office Environment C Reaching & Grasping C
Seeing: Hand/Finger Dexterity C
Close Vision C Climbing/Balancing N
Color Discrimination R Speaking C
Peripheral Vision O Hearing C
Depth Perception O Smelling/Tasting F
Focusing Ability C
Other (explain): Push or pull to/away from the desk in a typical office environment.
Drive in regular city traffic to visit clients.
The physical demands and work environment described above represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the job’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Education & Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree is preferred in Social Work, Human Services, Public Administration, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in case management, supportive housing, or social services.
- Experience working with homelessness, mental health, substance use, or trauma-informed care preferred.
- Knowledge of HUD-funded programs and supportive housing regulations is a plus.
Skills & Abilities:
- Strong case management skills, with experience in service planning and client advocacy.
- Ability to conduct intake assessments, identify barriers, and develop service/action plans.
- Proficiency in HMIS data entry and service transactions.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong interpersonal abilities.
- Strong problem-solving and crisis intervention skills, particularly for housing-related issues.
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal staff, external service providers, and landlords.
- Organizational skills, with the ability to maintain detailed client records and documentation.
Additional Requirements:
- Valid Alaska Driver’s License and auto insurance for transporting clients and attending site visits.
- Must be willing to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed to support program participants. Employees required to work beyond 40 hours in a work week, including evenings and weekends, will be eligible for overtime pay at a rate of one and a half times their regular hourly rate, as mandated by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Employees will be notified of any required changes to their work schedule with as much advance notice as possible. While flexibility in scheduling is essential, employees may discuss potential adjustments to their work hours with their supervisor to balance work and personal commitments.
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding client and program data.
How to Apply
If you are interested in joining the NeighborWorks Alaska team, click on the links below to find out more about our current job opportunities. Once you have determined that you are qualified for an open position you may: complete a job application or email [email protected]; fax it to 907-677-8483; or by mail to 2515 A Street, Anchorage, AK 99503.
Download our Job Application Here
Equal Opportunity Employer
The NeighborWorks Alaska staff are Gung Ho!, energetic and entrepreneurial and our culture rewards teamwork, dedication and service to others. NeighborWorks Alaska is an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking applicants who can bring diverse viewpoints, experience, talents and culture to our organization’s mission of creating affordable, sustainable housing opportunities to the communities we serve.
It has been, and will continue to be a fundamental policy of NeighborWorks Alaska not to discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion; sex; national origin; age; sexual preference; disability or status as a disabled, other protected, recently separated, or Armed Forces service Medal veteran or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state or local law, with respect to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment.