Housing Stability and Homeless Prevention Case Manager in Chicago, Illinois at Franciscan Outreach

About Franciscan Outreach
For more than 60 years, Franciscan Outreach has provided compassionate, low-barrier services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability throughout Chicago. Guided by the values of compassion, humility, and respect for human dignity, we help people move from crisis to stability through shelter, housing, prevention, and supportive services.

Position Summary
The Housing Stability and Homeless Prevention Case Manager provides housing-focused case management to individuals and families at risk of eviction, homelessness, or housing loss. Using trauma-informed, strengths-based, and Housing First approaches, the Case Manager assists clients with housing stabilization, financial assistance, resource navigation, and connections to community services that support long-term stability.

Essential Responsibilities:
Case Management & Housing Stabilization
Conduct assessments to identify housing barriers, eviction risks, and service needs.
Develop and implement individualized housing stabilization plans.
Maintain a caseload of approximately 25 households.
Provide crisis intervention, problem-solving support, and ongoing case management.
Coordinate rental assistance, diversion services, and housing stabilization resources.
Assist clients in accessing permanent housing opportunities, including Coordinated Entry System (CES) referrals.
Advocate for clients with landlords, housing providers, and community agencies.
Monitor client progress and adjust service plans as needed.

Resource Coordination & Community Engagement:
Connect clients to employment, benefits, healthcare, mental health, substance use treatment, domestic violence services, legal assistance, and other community resources.
Conduct outreach in communities experiencing high rates of eviction and housing instability.
Build relationships with community partners, service providers, and stakeholders.
Participate in case conferences, community meetings, and collaborative initiatives.

Documentation & Reporting:
Maintain accurate and timely client records in HMIS and other required databases.
Ensure compliance with program, grant, and data quality requirements.
Track client outcomes and support reporting and performance measurement activities.
Protect client confidentiality and adhere to all privacy and security standards.

Support for Survivors:
Provide trauma-informed services to survivors of domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence.
Maintain confidentiality and support client safety planning and referrals to specialized services.

Qualifications:
Required
Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Public Health, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
Minimum of two years of experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, poverty, or related challenges.
Experience providing case management and resource coordination.
Knowledge of housing resources, homeless prevention programs, and community services.
Strong organizational, communication, and documentation skills.
Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.

Preferred:
Experience with homeless prevention, rapid rehousing, diversion, or housing navigation programs.
Experience using HMIS or similar case management systems.
Training in Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Housing First, Harm Reduction, or Crisis Intervention.
Experience serving survivors of domestic violence or gender-based violence.
Bilingual skills preferred.

What We're Looking For:
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
Compassion and commitment to serving vulnerable populations
Strong relationship-building and advocacy skills
Trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices
Effective problem-solving and critical thinking
Collaboration, professionalism, and adaptability

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
Franciscan Outreach is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage individuals with lived experience of homelessness, housing instability, recovery, or other relevant life experiences to apply.

Impact:
This position plays a critical role in preventing homelessness, reducing evictions, and helping individuals and families achieve long-term housing stability and self-sufficiency.