Housing Locator

Position Summary:

The Housing Locator is responsible for identifying housing opportunities and developing and maintaining relationships with landlords and community partners to help households experiencing homelessness obtain permanent housing. The Housing Locator searches for available rental housing opportunities, provides training to clients related to housing opportunities, budgeting, maintaining a household, and others that are deemed necessary. The Housing Locator is responsible for collaborating with the case management team, landlords, as well as with representatives from local government Housing, Community Development, and Family Services, and with representatives of other non-profit agencies and the faith community.   

The Housing Locator utilizes a Housing First, trauma-informed, and client-centered approach to support rapid access to permanent housing and promote long-term housing stability.  The position is responsible for developing strategic landlord partnerships, reducing barriers to housing access, supporting equitable housing opportunities, and assisting households in navigating the housing search and lease-up process. 

TITLE: Housing Locator 

REPORTS TO: Hoffman Director of Programs

LOCATION: The Hoffman Center, 930 North Henry Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

About the Organization:

Since 1988, Carpenter’s Shelter has met the immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness in the City of Alexandria. Through the operation of emergency shelter, day shelter, and winter shelter as well as rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing programs, Carpenter’s Shelter identifies housing solutions supports sustainable independence for more than 980 families and individuals each year.  

Specific Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain relationships with landlords and property management companies willing to offer low-barrier housing opportunities.  
• Proactively recruit new landlords and units, with a focus on expanding access for clients with significant housing barriers. 
• Serve as a key liaison between landlords/property managers and Carpenter’s Shelter to support positive landlord relationships and long-term housing partnerships. 
• Develop strategies to expand landlord participation through outreach, education, relationship-building, and problem-solving support. 
• Maintain a Housing Directory, which should at minimum include documentation of all contacts with housing providers. 
• Complete and maintain accurate and timely documentation required for housing placement, funding eligibility, and financial assistance processing, in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local funding requirements (e.g., Rapid Rehousing, ESG, CoC). 
• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete HMIS and program documentation in accordance with agency, local, state, federal, ESG, CoC, and Housing First compliance standards. 
• Provide housing availability to the case management team in an efficient and timely manner. 
• Follow up with all clients regularly, using a client-centered and trauma-informed lens, to help connect them to housing options (including transporting clients to view units and communicate with landlords if needed).  
• Utilize a Housing First and progressive engagement approach that promotes rapid access to permanent housing without unnecessary barriers or preconditions. 
• Negotiate leases on behalf of clients in collaboration with case managers and the client (as needed). 
• Assist households in identifying and addressing barriers to housing placement, including credit concerns, rental history challenges, prior evictions, documentation issues, and housing discrimination. 
• Mediate tenancy concerns and support early intervention efforts to reduce the risk of eviction and housing loss in collaboration with the Community Case Manager. 
• Advocate for reasonable accommodations and equitable housing access for households with disabilities and other vulnerabilities. 
• Develop and lead trainings related to tenant rights and responsibilities, communicating with landlords, fair housing, housing discrimination, credit counseling and debt reduction, how to read a lease, identifying roommates, maintaining a household, etc.   
• Collaborate with Coordinated Entry, local housing authorities, community providers, and internal case management teams to prioritize and facilitate housing placements. 
• Provide program statistics and reports, tracking milestones, and outcomes. 
• Track and report housing outcomes, lease-up timelines, landlord engagement efforts, unit inventory, and housing placement data. 
• Support agency goals related to reducing length of homelessness, increasing exits to permanent housing, and improving housing retention outcomes. 
• Promote fair housing practices and support access to housing opportunities for historically marginalized and disproportionately impacted populations.  
• Function as a contributing member of a multidisciplinary team with the organization’s employees, volunteers, and community agencies. 
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings, including but not limited to Housing-Focused Case Management, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, and Harm Reduction. 
• Adhere to the Carpenter’s Shelter Code of Ethics and SEED Values. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Telework is eligible for up to one day per week upon the successful completion of the probationary period.  

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in human services, business, leasing, property management, low-income housing, communications, or related field.   
• Ability to develop strong working relationships with the housing community at large as well as the client population. 
• Ability to provide effective training, prepare written reports, and maintain documentation.   
• Strong time management and organizational skills.    
• Proficient skill level in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Power Point). 
• Knowledge of Housing First, Rapid Rehousing, Permanent Supportive Housing, trauma-informed care, and harm reduction principles. 
• Ability to effectively engage landlords, property managers, and community stakeholders in a professional and solutions-focused manner. 
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. 
• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass a background check. 
• Flexibility to work outside of normal business hours, if needed, to accommodate client and community needs.  

Preferred:

• • Experience with the MLS listings and/or real estate transactions. 
  • Experience in property management and maintenance.  
  • Experience working with people experiencing homelessness. 
  • EXPERIENCE UTILIZING HMIS OR COMPARABLE DATA SYSTEMS. 
  • KNOWLEDGE OF LANDLORD-TENANT LAW, FAIR HOUSING REGULATIONS, AND LOCAL HOUSING RESOURCES. 
  • Lived experience or direct personal connection to homelessness. 

Salary:

$55,000-$60,000 plus benefits (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 403(b), Health Savings Account, PTO, sick leave, holidays)

 

Application Process:

Applicants should forward a cover letter and resume electronically to HR@CarpentersShelter.org. In the subject line, type: “Housing Locator.” No telephone calls are accepted. Only qualified candidates will be contacted. Carpenter’s Shelter will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Carpenter’s Shelter is an Equal Opportunity Employer and agrees not to discriminate against any employee or job applicant because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, age, gender, physical or mental disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Successful candidates must be committed to working with a culturally diverse population.