Housing Retention Specialist in WHITE PLAINS, New York at YWCA WHITE PLAINS AND CENTRAL WESTCHESTER

Job Summary:

The Housing Retention Specialist is part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team supporting women in our 178-unit Permanent Supportive Housing Program. This role manages a caseload of approximately 60–80 residents, focusing on housing stability, lease compliance, and long-term tenancy success.

Using a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach, the Specialist provides individualized support from move-in through ongoing occupancy, addressing barriers that could jeopardize housing. Core responsibilities include assessing resident needs, developing housing retention plans, connecting residents to community resources, coordinating care with internal and external partners, and intervening early when tenancy issues arise.

Support may include resolving arrears, assisting with lease renewals, ensuring unit condition standards are met, navigating entitlements, and addressing neighbor or community conflicts. Services are delivered within a team model that emphasizes case conferencing, shared accountability, and integrated care.

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities:

Administrative & Documentation

• Maintain up-to-date records in the Apricot electronic health record, accurately documenting resident interactions, collateral contacts, progress toward housing retention goals, hospitalizations, housing stability plans, and other significant events.
• Track and review progress toward housing retention and stability goals, updating plans every 3–6 months or as circumstances change.
• Complete required assessments and evaluations (e.g., Self-Sufficiency Matrix) according to program schedule.
• Document interventions related to eviction prevention, arrears resolution, lease compliance, and conflict mediation.
• Participate in case conferencing, interdisciplinary team meetings, and housing committee reviews to ensure coordinated, informed decision-making.

Resident Support & Housing Stability

• Conduct housing stability assessments within 72 hours of move-in and develop individualized housing retention plans within 30 days, identifying resident-led actions and staff interventions to maintain tenancy.
• Engage residents in monthly face-to-face meetings (minimum), with increased contact for higher-risk situations.
• Facilitate timely referrals to internal services (e.g., Economic Empowerment) and external resources that promote tenancy preservation, financial stability, and overall wellbeing.
• Secure and maintain necessary consents/authorizations for the release of information to coordinate services.
• Assist residents in accessing income supports, employment, entitlements, and other resources that reduce housing risk.
• Provide guidance on lease obligations, apartment care standards, and conflict resolution to promote a positive tenancy record.

Team-Based Housing Retention Collaboration

• Actively participate in weekly case conferencing to review resident stability, problem-solve housing risks, and coordinate interventions.
• Share responsibility for residents’ housing stability by ensuring continuity of services and knowledge transfer within the team.
• Apply a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approach in all resident and staff interactions.
• Contribute to a team culture that emphasizes shared accountability, peer support, and solution-focused communication.
• Provide coverage and support for fellow housing retention team members as needed.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain partnerships with landlords, housing placement agencies, legal aid organizations, and community providers to expand housing stability resources.
• Conduct at least one collateral contact per month per resident to align services and support tenancy preservation.
• Obtain necessary records from hospitals, courts, and external agencies to address issues impacting housing stability.
• Refer residents to appropriate community resources to address underlying factors that could threaten tenancy.
• Represent the program and organization with professionalism and integrity at all times.

Key responsibilities are not intended to be an exhaustive list of job duties but reflect the core expectations and housing retention priorities of the role.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma required, Bachelor's degree in social work or related field preferred.
• Minimum two years' experience with vulnerable adult populations.
• Residential or supportive housing experience strongly preferred.

Licensing and/or Certifications:

• CASAC or CASAC-T a plus.
• Valid NYS Driver’s License or ability to obtain within 3 months.

Skills and Attributes:

• Strong documentation and electronic health record skills. - Good organizational, time management, and communication skills, verbal and written.
• Good at assessment, SMART goal development, advocacy, and solution focused problem solving.
• Knowledge of counseling and social service resources in Westchester County.
• Knowledge of strengths-based approaches, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and housing-first models.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Culturally responsive communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to adjust to changing circumstances, whether related to the needs of the residents or program.

Compensation: $50,000-$58,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.

Unless reasonable accommodations are made, while performing this job the staff member shall: Use strength to lift items needed to perform the functions of the job. Sit and stand for required periods of time. Speak and hear.

Use close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception along with the ability to focus vision. Communicate effectively in English, using proper grammar and vocabulary. In certain situations, American Sign Language, Braille, or other language may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Reach with hands and arms and use hands and fingers to manage objects and operate tools, computers, and/or controls.

Sedentary Work: Involves minimal physical effort (e.g., sitting at a desk, working on a computer).

Or Light Work: Requires some physical activity like occasional lifting, carrying light objects, or performing tasks that may involve standing or walking for extended periods.

Environmental Demands: The environmental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive: Exposure to a variety of childhood and adult diseases and illnesses. Occasional exposure to a variety of weather conditions. Exposure to heated/air conditioned and ventilated facilities. Function in a workplace that is usually moderately noisy but that can be very noisy at times.