Housing Specialist - SSVF

About Jericho Project

Jericho Project is a nationally recognized nonprofit that has been working to end homelessness at its roots since 1983. What began as a Manhattan soup kitchen has grown into a citywide organization serving nearly 3,000 New Yorkers each year—including over 700 veterans, as well as young adults and families, many of whom identify as LGBTQ+.

Jericho provides more than 600 units of supportive housing through seven permanent residences in the Bronx and Harlem, along with scattered-site apartments throughout New York City. Our housing-first model is paired with wraparound services delivered by skilled case managers, licensed mental health clinicians, and workforce development specialists. Together, these services support our four pillars of stability: housing, employment, wellness, and family.

In 2024, Jericho facilitated over 570 housing placements, helped secure nearly 275 job placements, and delivered over 750 therapy sessions through our in-house Jericho Therapy Program. As we move toward expanding our reach by an additional 2,000 units of housing, we remain committed to helping individuals and families build lasting independence and well-being—one person, one home, and one community at a time.

About the Position
The Housing Specialist will be responsible for assisting very low-income veterans with identifying and obtaining safe and affordable housing opportunities. The incumbent will be responsible for developing and cultivating housing leads and resources through community agencies, landlords and real estate brokers willing to accept program participants with little or no income. The Housing Specialist will also work with immediate veteran family members, the VA, NYCHA, HPD, and HRA to ensure housing is secured and maintained in a timely and efficient manner.

Position : Housing Specialist
Location : Manhattan
Reports To : Assistant Director of Housing, Data & Quality
Status : Non-Exempt
Compensation : $50,000.00 to $55,000.00 annualized

Responsibilities :

• Conduct housing intakes and assessments with veterans referred from the Case Manager and other staff to assess housing needs and preferences utilizing a Housing-First approach.
• Develop and cultivate strong relationships with housing resources, including landlords, brokers, and real estate agencies.
• Provide hands-on housing counseling and placement assistance to enable veterans to find suitable housing, including identifying viable housing options, accompanying veterans to apartment viewings, conducting inspections, assessing rent reasonableness, and conducting neighborhood research throughout NYC and surrounding areas.
• Assist veterans in completing landlord and property management housing applications, including helping to secure needed documentation and accompanying veterans to housing viewings and appointments.
• Advocate on behalf of the veterans with landlords and brokers to overcome any issues or challenges to securing suitable housing.
• Assist with securing resources for security deposit, broker’s fees, moving expenses, bedding, and household items through referrals and completion of all initial Financial Assistance Requests for veterans receiving Temporary Financial Assistance at move-in. Ensure that all required supporting documentation is present in the request.
• Collaborate as a member of the larger Jericho Project team and serve as a housing resource expert as needed.
• Serve as point-of-contact for landlords; work with case manager and client to resolve issues affecting client’s ability to maintain housing and positive landlord/tenant relationship.
• Assist clients with referrals and applications for housing vouchers including HUD VASH, Section 8 from HPD and NYCHA, and City vouchers through HRA such as City FHEPS.
• Assist clients with approved 2010es access supportive housing by making housing referrals, contacting providers, and attending housing interviews.
• Help to conduct orientation sessions with new participants to explain housing rules and regulations and lease obligations, as well as housing quality standards and housing assistance policies.
• Computes housing assistance payments, tenant rental amounts, utility reimbursements, and rent increases in order to satisfy program guidelines and landlord requests using knowledge of program regulations.
• Performs re-examinations, interim interviews and verifies income to determine and maintain eligibility with federal and city guidelines and regulations.
• Maintains and inputs case notes in AWARDS to reflect housing services provided in a timely manner.
• Prepares monthly statistical reports to track housing placements and other data as mandated.

Requirements:

• High school diploma required; Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred but will consider extensive experience in lieu of education.
• 2-3 years relevant experience preferred.
• Ability to work independently and maximize time while conducting field work.
• Experience in social and economic problems related to housing needs for those in a lower income bracket.
• Demonstrated knowledge of challenges faced by special populations, including mental health disabilities, low income and homelessness; experience working in a multi-racial, low-income community preferred.
• Demonstrated interpersonal flexibility, teamwork, customer service aptitude and excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of housing subsidies, rules, regulations, and affordable housing industry in NYC strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking capability, proven ability to achieve results.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required.

ADA Specifications:
This position requires the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Ability to travel to various sites. One
must possess the ability to speak, hear, see, and write as well as the ability to use a computer
and related software programs. Local and/or national travel required and may require some longer
weekday/weekend commitments to accomplish related business projects or meet deliverables.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status,
protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel welcome and
valued. We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to our success.

DISCLAIMER
This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and its essential
functions. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that
may be assigned to the staff member. The specific duties and responsibilities of the position may
change from time to time, as determined by the needs of the organization.
The staff member must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily,
with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees
with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue
hardship.