Housing Specialist (North Carolina)

Company: Vaya Health
Location: Robbinsville
Posted on: March 7, 2025

Job Description:

LOCATION: Remote- must live in North Carolina or within 40 miles of the NC border; preferably within or near Vaya's catchment area.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOBThe Housing Specialist is responsible for the completion of administrative work directly related to the management of identified housing programs and initiatives aimed at supporting individuals who experience Mental Health, Substance Use, and/or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to live in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. The employee performs a variety of functions related to housing including the identification of social and economic opportunities that are likely to enhance health outcomes for individuals served. The employee focuses on connecting individuals to needed services, supportive housing opportunities and other social determinants of health resources. This is accomplished by developing the means to address housing deficits and maximizing opportunities for members served through housing navigation, housing development, service development, landlord engagement, community outreach activities, and increase collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. The employee will provide expertise, guidance, and training for internal and external stakeholders as it relates to accessing appropriate housing resources and supports for those served. The employee ensures that engagement with identified contracted providers is consistent and in line with contract obligations. The employee, in collaboration with assigned Supervisor, ensures that all housing supports activities are delivered in accordance with the terms and conditions of the DMH/DD/SAS Contract, and guidelines/manuals/protocols/procedures established by the Department of Health and Human Services, federal rules and regulations, best practices, standards, and internal Vaya policies/procedures/manuals/guidelines. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSHousing Specialist Responsibility dependent upon Role/Supervisor (either a or b) (a) Housing Management (Supervised by Housing Manager) cAdminister state and federally funded housing programs and servicesManage housing initiatives, activities, programs, and funding as assigned by SupervisorSupport the Housing Team in the completion of assigned duties and in meeting LME/MCO, state, and federal reporting requirementsMaintain wait list for identified housing and residential programsDetermine member eligibility based on housing program criteria, requirements, regulations, and rulesOffer and/or partner with local housing agencies to provide housing rental assistance and supportive services for individuals and recipients experiencing homelessness Receive and process housing assistance requestsComplete annual project grant applications within state and federal databases in accordance with program requirementsEnsure integrity and compliance for identified housing programsMaintain complete and accurate records for identified housing budgetsAdhere to policies, procedures, rules, regulations, best practices, standards, as well as accomplishing local and state performance outcomes and expectationsSupport sudden facility closure and discharge process with internal departments and local Department of Social ServicesFunction as the single point-of-contact for identified on-going contractual and service issues as assigned (1b) TCL Subsidy Administration (Supervised by Housing Supervisor) cAdminister Vaya's Transitions to Community Living Voucher Program Maintain a business process with the Transitions to Community Living (TCL) unit, management, housing quality standards inspector, and finance support staff to fulfill subsidy administration contract requirements between the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA), and Vaya HealthRemain familiar and current with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development federal regulations and state and local building codes and ordinances as they relate to Vaya's subsidy administration for Transitions Community Living Voucher (TCLV) ProgramCoordinate with other Vaya Departments to ensure effective collaboration, business processes, process improvement, and consistent practices within the agencyAdhere to policies, procedures, rules, regulations, best practices, standards, as well as accomplishing local and state milestone requirements and expectationsImplement the following housing administration themes: leasing; ongoing tenancy; annual activities; and tenancy termination, but are not limited to the following: calculating subsidy/payment; negotiating Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) agreement; completing biennial income re-certifications, conducting annual or initial inspections as needed; executing HAP renewals; conducting move out or termination inspections; and assisting with special claims/risk mitigation resourcesCollect data and enter information electronically into NCHFA's Community Living Integration and Verification system (CLIVe) and Vaya's medical record systemProvide CLIVe expertise to Population Health units Act as Socialserve and NCHFA liaison Effectively market Vaya's subsidy programs to new and existing landlords and property management agenciesFurther advance landlord and residential provider engagement strategies Track private market and residential housing stock - characteristics of occupied and unoccupied unitsSubmit housing referrals and applications on behalf of TCL members - Targeting Program referrals and Housing Authority pre-applications/applicationsMaintain required reports and statistics on a monthly and annual basis as required Provide excellent customer service to program participants and landlords by explaining and consistently enforcing program guidelines and regulationsTreat all members, stakeholders, and landlords in a respectful, non-judgmental mannerMediate and negotiate communication with members, treatment team members and landlords as needed concerning tenancy mattersWork with members whose housing challenges present legal issues and refer member/team and connect members to the services of a licensed attorney, non-profit legal aid, or a pro bono legal agency when necessary Resource IdentificationMaintain housing and residential resources for specialty populations including vacancy reports, housing flows, housing navigation tools and resource guidesDevelop and identify strategies to address housing deficits across disability populationsAttend monthly community housing/residential meetings and disperse pertinent resources to internal and external stakeholdersContribute to Vaya's social determinants of health initiatives Housing DevelopmentSupport landlord recruitment and outreach effortsEnhance Vaya's county-by-county assessment of funding sources, barriers, and resources for supported housing in Vaya's catchmentIdentify strategies to access innovative services and third-party funding sources to support housing activitiesOrchestrate cooperation aimed at gaining access to funding opportunities from private, city/county, state, and federal sources Support local community initiatives and programs as approved by executive leadership team Community Collaboration and EducationMake available in multiple venues where service providers and other stakeholders convene, information to identify housing resources and supports, expand knowledge of eligibility requirements for various housing programs, how to access affordable housing resources, information to increase awareness of Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Landlord and Tenant RightsSupport development and housing training initiativesProvide support to stakeholder groups as requestedProvide support and consultation to internal departments as it relates to education meeting the needs of individuals with the highest acuity Work collaboratively with other Vaya departments/teams to trouble shoot, develop, and streamline the management of Emergency Need IDD Respite ResourcesWork collaboratively to support member discharge planning from State and local hospitals, recovery facilities, and the correctional systemParticipate on area wide inter-agency committees with focus upon housing developmentMaintain positive working relationships with local public housing authorities (PHA) and HUD Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher administrating agencies to improve access and increase the supply of housing resources for specialty populationsCoordinate with other Vaya departments to ensure effective collaboration, business processes, process improvement, and consistent practices within the agencyAttend internal critical case staffing conference calls as requested or directed to provide education regarding service resources in the networkProvide education to member and team members (including family) on options and community resources that can assist members with making informed and timely decisions as it relates to housing stability, including accessing NC360 system to support effortsActively participate in required housing and TCL staff meetings and trainings, as well as providing training to service providers as it relates specifically to all tenancy events and transition activities Participate in Vaya activities and committees at the request of Vaya's Housing Supervisor and ManagerIdentify strategies to access innovative services and third-party funding sources Make available in multiple venues where service providers and other stakeholders convene, information to identify housing resources and supports, expand knowledge of eligibility requirements for various housing programs, how to access affordable housing resources, information to increase awareness of Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Landlord and Tenant Rights, and barriers associated with Not in My Back Yard (NIMBY)Coordinate landlord recruitment and outreach efforts which includes planning Vaya's Landlord Lunch and Learn events Support development and housing training initiativesParticipate on area wide inter-agency committees with focus on housing recruitment and developmentSupport regional housing plan efforts by leading local Housing Specialists collaboratives and conducting disability and/or service specific focus groups and engage stakeholders to obtain feedback on housing and service needs Maintain positive working relationships with local public housing authorities (PHA) and HUD Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher administrating agencies to improve access and increase the supply of housing resources for specialty populations Other duties as assignedAssist in Housing Team coverage, as identified by your SupervisorCrosstrain in other Housing Team skills (such as inspection, PSH, etc.), as identified by your supervisor

KNOWLEDGE OF JOBHighly motivated, team player, self-starter and able to work independently with little or no directionAbility to problem solve and provide practical, thorough and creative solutions to work tasksStrong knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and program practices/requirements applicable to Vaya Health's operation in North CarolinaAbility to adhere to strict confidentiality requirementsExperience in leading a performance relationship with external stakeholdersProficiency in analyzing, understanding and communicating network needsStrong customer service skills paired with a positive demeanor - a "can do" attitudeExcellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to speak clearly and concisely, conveying complex or technical information in a manner that others can understand, as well as ability to understand and interpret complex information from others, including but not limited to reimbursement policy standardsExceptional business acumenAbility to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environmentHigh level of knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and adept at learning software applications - expert level preferredDemonstrated knowledge of the assessment and treatment of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorder, sometimes co-occurring, is helpful QUALIFICATIONS & CREDENTIALING REQUIREMENTSBachelor's Degree required. Five years of service experience required. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSClose visual acuity to perform activities such as preparation and analysis of documents; viewing a computer terminal; and extensive reading. Physical activity in this position includes crouching, reaching, walking, talking, hearing and repetitive motion of hands, wrists and fingers. Sedentary work with lifting requirements up to 10 pounds, sitting for extended periods of time. Mental concentration is required in all aspects of work.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS: The person in this position is required to reside in North Carolina or within 40 miles of the NC border.
SALARY: Depending on qualifications & experience of candidate. This position is non-exempt and is eligible for overtime compensation. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: Open until filled
APPLY: Vaya Health accepts online applications in our Career Center, please visit .
Vaya Health is an equal opportunity employer.

Keywords: Vaya Health, Knoxville , Housing Specialist (North Carolina), Other , Robbinsville, Tennessee