Housing Advocate

POSITION: Housing Advocate, Permanent Supportive Housing Program

REPORTS TO: Manager of Supportive Housing

LOCATION: Woonsocket, RI

SCHEDULE: Full-time (37.5 hours/week)

COMPENSATION: Nonexempt position; hourly range is $25 to $26 per hour, depending on experience and language skills. Eligible for benefits that include health/dental insurance, life and long-term disability insurance, 15 paid holidays, accrued vacation/sick/personal time, an Employee Assistance Plan, and a 401(k) plan with employer match.

ABOUT US:  Sojourner House is a comprehensive domestic violence and sexual assault agency that provides residential, educational, and community-based interventions to families and individuals impacted by abuse.  We have offices in Providence and Woonsocket, and programs that operate statewide.  Our goal is to help our clients rebuild their lives, piece by piece, through a variety of services. All of our programs work from the premise that violence is an unacceptable means to solving interpersonal conflict, and we encourage only non-violent methods of working out conflicts.  To learn more about our work, please visit www.sojournerri.org. We are also active on social media at @sojournerri.

POSITION SUMMARY:   The Housing Advocate (PSH Program) is responsible for helping to execute the different components of Sojourner House’s housing program and provide support to Sojourner House’s larger residential team as well.  The Advocate will primarily provide direct services and programming to clients in our permanent supportive housing programs. Our Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program houses chronically homeless individuals who are disabled, which includes those with mental health and substance use diagnoses. Some of these clients need assistance with overcoming barriers to attend to daily living skills through education and support.  The Advocate will also provide back-up advocacy support to shelter clients. The Advocate will work alongside other staff of the Housing Program to provide clients with support and empowerment as they seek to rebuild their lives.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide individual case management services to clients in Sojourner House’s Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program.  This includes assessment of the client’s needs using Housing First Model and Trauma-Informed Care, weekly 1:1 client meetings and in-person visits to their apartments.  Develop action plans with clients that outline goals related to housing stability, education, employment, child care and benefit acquisition.  Assist clients in obtaining appropriate substance abuse, mental health, and/or medical services as needed.
• Provide supportive services to individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges, utilizing a housing-first, person-centered, and recovery-oriented approach.
• Participate in team meetings and case conferences to discuss client progress and plan therapy
• Assist with housing clinics that are held regularly in Providence, Woonsocket, Central Falls, and West Warwick.
• Develop and implement programming to benefit clients in the housing program, which can include units statewide.  At a minimum, the advocate will facilitate 1-2 support groups, meetings and/or programs per week that will benefit housing clients and other community members.  The advocate will regularly assess the needs of Sojourner House’s housing clients and offer programs reflective of those needs.
• Working with the Child and Adolescent Clinician to coordinate children’s services and make referrals as necessary for permanent supportive housing families with minor children, which may include but are not limited to:  enrollment in the local school system, art expressive therapy groups, tutoring sessions, play groups, field trips, after school, recreational and enrichment activities, child care and mental health programs.
• Answer phone calls, conduct intakes of new clients, and provide referrals and information to potential housing clients.
• Provide advocacy and coverage as needed at Sojourner House’s office in Woonsocket.
• Provide shelter coverage when needed at Sojourner House’s emergency shelter(s).
• Monitor and implement housing policies and ensure that residents follow these rules and procedures by creating an environment of trust and community.
• Complete data entry and submit necessary reports as required for grant compliance.
• Help in the collection of rent from clients in the rapid re-housing and permanent supportive housing program.
• Address the maintenance needs of housing units as needed.  This may include communication with landlords and property management companies to provide repairs.
• Stay abreast of RI community housing issues by building and maintaining relationships with housing and social service agencies in Providence, northern Rhode Island, and throughout the state.
• Prepare and deliver community presentations in Rhode Island on issues related to domestic violence and housing when requested.
• Support Sojourner House’s philosophy of client empowerment and respect for individual choices.
• Work as necessary with other residential advocates to help supervise volunteers.
• Perform other duties as requested by the Senior Director of Housing and/or the Sojourner House management team.

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s s Degree in social work, psychology, or related field preferred OR equivalent work experience

EXPERIENCE AND SPECIAL SKILLS:

• A minimum of two to three years ‘experience in human or social services
• 3 – 4 years of of experience providing mental health or substance use/harm reduction services
• Experience with a Housing First model is strongly preferred
• Familiarity with domestic violence and/or gender issues
• Must be organized and demonstrate superior leadership skills
• Proficiency in Spanish is preferred, but not required
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, Google Workspace, and general Internet skills)
• Familiarity working with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds
• Experience developing and delivering community presentations
• A demonstrated familiarity with LGBTQ+, HIV/AIDS, mental health, and/or substance abuse populations
• A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle in order to facilitate traveling between the agency’s multiple locations
• Comfort working individually and in teams
• Innovative thinking to approaching issues of poverty and service delivery
• Familiarity with social service services in Rhode Island
• Applicant must pass a background check
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including one night a week

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made as necessary.

• Regularly required to stand; sit; walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands; and talk or hear
• The employee must be able to carry objects weighing 10 – 25 pounds occasionally
• Frequently required to walk and climb several sets of stairs
• Must be able to drive; frequent travel to other locations such as potential rental units within the community and local region
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and the environment is sometimes chaotic

TO APPLY: Please send a resume and cover letter to resumes@sojournerri.org with the subject line “Housing Advocate, PSH” . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; early applications are encouraged. To apply via mail, please send all of the requested materials to Sojourner House, Attn: HR/Housing Advocate, 386 Smith St, Providence, RI 02908.

Sojourner House is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.