Housing Manager in Chicago, Illinois at SAFER FOUNDATION

The Safer Foundation is a social service provider to individuals with arrest and conviction records. Through a full range of services, including case management, educational instruction and advocacy, we focus on preparing individuals for the world of work by helping them find and keep productive and meaningful employment.

General Summary:

The Housing Manager (HM) is responsible for overseeing the operations of Safer's client housing program, including managing the Housing Navigator team. This role involves providing supervision, training, and performing various managerial duties as assigned. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Operations for Supportive Reentry Services, the HM plays a critical role in ensuring that justice-involved individuals have access to stable housing and the necessary support services.

Performance Results Description

The Position is properly performed when all essential duties and responsibilities are executed by following the Safer Values.

Exceeding Expectations, Communication and Collaboration, Integrity and Evidence-Based Innovation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Stakeholder Interface

• Ensure that all client interactions, including housing assessments, are accurately documented in Salesforce within two business days
• Develop and implement short-term and long-term housing plans for each client, and coordinate closely with landlords, property managers, and service providers to ensure stable housing arrangements.
• Assess and respond to all housing referrals within 24-48 hours, conducting a comprehensive housing screen to assess the severity and nature of each client’s housing needs
• Responsible for overseeing the housing navigators providing supervision, training, and other managerial duties as needed.
• Leading staff meetings and participating in operational/agency meetings to provide updates on programming.
• Responsible for providing monthly and quarterly program reports as prescribed by Safer and funders
• Ensure adherence to the policies and procedures of the housing program, the agency, and the state and federal grant regulations.
• Coordinate with other departments regarding programmatic needs with respect to resources.
• Support continuous improvement, and team collaboration to ensure seamless coordination between housing support and other services, including benefits assistance, mental health, and employment services
• Responsible for budget development and management, compliance, and proper allocation of resources.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings and case staffing to improve service delivery

Stakeholder Outreach and Recruitment

• Establishes and maintains professional partnerships with community leaders, agencies, and business partners.
• Demonstrate ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from vendors, landlords, clients, supervisors, and the public.

Tracking, Document, and Reporting

• Conduct file reviews in the Salesforce system ensuring all housing navigators documentation meets program, agency, and grant funding requirements.
• Ensure compliance and quality service delivery

Fiscal Reporting and Accountability

• Gather, synthesize, and present all client data for grant reporting alongside the Director for monthly, quarterly, and annual reports as required.
• Order supplies as necessary and within the program budget, gauging total amounts allocated, needs, and availability of funds.
• Manage client assistance benefits and allowances; ensure completion of necessary accounting documents and reconciliation with the accounting department each month.

Supervision of People

• Provide individual supervision with Housing Navigators reviewing all client cases, and identifying training opportunities for team members.
• Train and supervise staff on proper documentation, procedure, and protocol, troubleshooting issues, and coaching on performance. Elevate issues requiring structural changes or input up to leadership, as necessary.
• Complete mid-year and annual performance reviews, and corrective action plans, when necessary, review and approve timecards, and request for time off and expense reports in a timely manner.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the reentry housing and barriers faced by individuals upon release.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities, especially with landlords, property managers, and community partners.
• Hands on experience and self-sufficiency with Microsoft productivity tools, including Outlook (for email), Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), and online collaboration tools (video conferencing, Zoom/Teams, messaging).
• Self-reliant, resourceful, and outcome-driven with the capability to function in a fast-paced, start-up work environment.
• Previous experience electronically documenting case management services, preferably in Salesforce.
• Ability to manage budgets and resources effectively, ensuring compliance with financial guidelines.
• Strong leadership, supervision, and team management skills.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent experience in housing, social services, or a related field.
• Proven experience in housing program management, including working with vulnerable populations, reentry services, or similar settings. Experience with timely and effective housing placement.

Safer Foundation is a drug-free workplace.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Minorities/Females/Veterans

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No Phone Calls Please