Director, Housing Intake Services - The Nest

Role: Director, Housing Intake Services

Reports to: Senior Director, Housing Intake and Innovation

Program: 1603- Housing Retention 

Department: Permanent Housing

Location: The Nest - 222 South Hill St. 7th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm

Status: Full-time/Exempt/Management

Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, 403(b) Retirement plan, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), etc.

Openings: 1

Summary:

The Director of Housing Intake Services will report to the Senior Director of Housing Intake and Innovation and support the Project-based Housing team in overseeing referrals, manage the intake process, and track outcomes and placement data for individuals referred to our housing programs. The selected candidate will be an internal resource who is knowledgeable about the housing application process, including eligibility for various vouchers and subsidies as well as appropriate documentation required for each application. In order to promote efficient lease-up processes, the Director of Housing Intake Services will supervise the Program Manager of Housing Intake Services and provide administrative support to the Project-based housing leadership staff. Collaboration with housing developers, property management companies, housing authorities and subsidy administrators (HACLA, LACDA, and Brilliant Corners), along with community partner agencies will also be an important function of this position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide administrative leadership to all Project-based Housing Department staff to ensure that they are familiar with the intake process, required resource eligibility screening, assessment documentation, and housing application paperwork.
  
• Supervise 2 Program Manager of Housing Intake Services and other staff members assigned to this team as a result of expansion due to additional housing sites coming on line.
  
• Work with the Program Manager of Housing Intake Services to develop and maintain program and site-specific PHI rosters and administrative trackers to organize the application process, eligibility outcomes, and lease-up targets in order to demonstrate progress throughout mass lease-ups phases.
  
• Coordinate with housing developers, LA County funders (DHS, DMH, and / or LAHSA), and housing subsidy providers for each Project-based site to schedule weekly planning calls 3 to 6 months prior to lease-up.
  
• Ensure that Housing Intake Services staff create lease-up schedules and monitor progress to ensure that staff and clients are notified of deadlines and associated appointments with the goal of meeting lease-up targets for each site within timeline designated by the housing developer.
  
• Monitor that all outreach, intake, and assessment progress notes are completed for all referrals to project-based sites within timeline specified in DHS Housing for Health Intensive Case Management Services statement of work.
  
• Oversee communication of weekly updates by Program Manager to services staff based on information provided during weekly collaborative calls.
  
• Organize and maintain all housing referral information and intake paperwork.
  
• Direct staff to screen newly referred clients to ensure they meet eligibility requirements.
  
• Ensure entry of referrals into DHS database (CHAMP) and LAHSA databases (HMIS, RMS) in a timely manner.
  
• Act as primary liaison between client, case management team, property management, and subsidy providers to mitigate barriers to eligibility.
  
• Review housing subsidy / voucher applications (HACoLA/LACDA, HACLA, FHSP) and property management applications to confirm accuracy and completion and audit files to ensure access to required supportive documentation.
  
• Ensure that non-eligible clients have documentation supporting determination of ineligibility and that they are referred back to appropriate alternative services.
  
• Provide on-going training to housing case management staff during initial referral, intake, and lease-up phase.
  
• During lease up process, provide direction and oversite to staff at project-based sites in coordination with the director or program manager of that site.
  
• Ensure accurate data entry needed for all reporting requirements and outcomes.
  
• Oversee creation of initial individual client physical chart development to ensure appropriate file maintenance for audit purposes.
  
• Provide quarterly reviews of charts, assist in audit preparation, and manage annual reports with property management for each site.
  
• Use a client-centered approach that includes Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, and Trauma-Informed Care principles.
  
• Maintain client confidentiality at all times and follow HIPAA laws as well as other applicable state or local laws.
  
• Ensure adherence to all agency, department, and program policies and procedures.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience providing housing retention services.
• Extensive experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and co-occurring disorders.
• Experience working in a nonprofit setting a plus.
• Able to demonstrate knowledge of the multiple housing subsidy types, housing application process, and eligibility requirements.
• Able to work in a high tolerance Harm Reduction environment.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and team building skills.
• Computer literate; able to effectively use computerized database for client file management, with basic skills in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel programs.
• Detail oriented with strong time management, organizational, written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Skilled in data collection and analysis.
• Valid CA driver’s license, reliable car, auto insurance, and an acceptable driving record.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of management/supervisory experience preferred.
• Familiarity with CHAMP and HMIS preferred.

Work Environment:

• Field (may need to travel) and indoor office environment.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend; occasionally lift or carry up to 35 lbs.
• On occasion walk or drive to different local sites
• Will necessitate working in busy and loud environments
• Will be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise and odor
• May need to bend, stoop, twist and sit throughout the day