Housing Specialist in Chicago, Illinois at Envision Unlimited

Are you looking to make a difference in people's lives? Do you want to learn and grow professionally while experiencing meaningful work?

Join our community mental health and wellness program and help people achieve success every day. Envision is a premier provider of recovery based mental health services in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. We inspire hope, inspiration and resiliency to hundreds of people each year.

General Functions:

The Housing Specialist (HS) is a member of the interdisciplinary team working with clients who have been recently discharged from short- or long-term inpatient facilities. Some clients may present with co-occurring physical, developmental and/or substance abuse issues. The HS is responsible for assisting clients to find a safe, affordable and permanent living arrangement within the community of choice.

Essential Responsibilities, include but are not limited to:

· Aid clients in applying for section 8 & other entitlements

· Assist clients to sign up for coordinated entry

· Assist clients to sign up for State Referral Network

· Assess and apply for any other supportive housing programs (e.g. Mercy Housing, Heartland housing)

· that may have openings or waiting lists.

· Contact landlords, building managers etc. for availability of units.

· Identify and navigate affordable housing stock through relationship building with landlords and

· property management companies increase availability of units.

· Work with case managers to take clients to view potential units and help with the move in to ensure a

· successful placement.

· Provide brief, supportive, goal-directed counseling to assist with client decisions on housing matters

· and process change.

· Facilitate development of lease and transfer of funds for security deposits.

· Assist Program Director and Supervisor with program development tasks such as designing workflows

· and procedures manuals.

· Collect and conduct data entry of client demographic data and outcome measures in the State's

· system as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in social work, counseling, psychology or related field. Will consider extensive experience in leu of degree. Three years of experience working within social service field, including internships, with two years working directly in the housing industry. Experience with clients with serious mental illness, substance abuse problems and medically complex needs a plus. Must be able to work with diverse populations with multi-faceted needs. Excellent written and oral communication skills needed, with demonstrated ability to engage clients. Efficient computer literacy skills and ability to utilize Microsoft Office. Valid driver's license, with insured automobile to travel to multiple locations required.

Envision Unlimited offers competitive salaries and a generous benefit package to our professionals:

Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, PPO

Dental and Vision Insurance Options

Company paid Life Insurance

12 Paid Holidays + Birthday Off

Paid vacation, sick time and personal days

401K plan

In house training and CEU's

Employee Assistance Network

Support for pursuing clinical licensure (financial and time off)

Opportunity for career growth & development