Supportive Housing Case Manager

About Us:

Lighthouse MI is a growing non-profit, established in 2019 when Lighthouse of Oakland County and South Oakland Shelter joined forces to offer a stronger collective response to poverty in our Metro Detroit community. With over 80 years of combined experience, Lighthouse serves as a beacon of hope to our neighbors who need it most by offering assistance with emergency basic needs alongside housing programs and supportive services designed to support long-term economic stability. Lighthouse owns and operates Spero Housing Group, a subsidiary non-profit dedicated specifically to developing and operating high quality affordable and supportive housing for persons of low and moderate income, as well as HandUp, a community and crowdfunding platform serving 100+ homeless service agencies and their clients across the United States.

Position Summary

Lighthouse is hiring three (3) Supportive Housing Case Managers to work with formerly homeless individuals and families placed in Lighthouse’s permanent supportive housing programs throughout Oakland County. Two positions will be headquartered in Pontiac and will work with clients in a scattered-site setting throughout Oakland County, while the third position will be stationed onsite in Pontiac working with households in Pontiac and Royal Oak Township. The goal of Supportive Housing Case Managers is to assist community members in seeking and securing longer-term housing solutions and increase their overall self-sufficiency. Case Managers will provide wrap-around supportive services to clients as well as connect them to other community resources. The ideal candidate will be able to work well with a team of case managers to identify and address client needs related to housing stability. An ideal candidate will have great interpersonal skills to foster positive relationships with clients who may have significant barriers to accessing housing and resources, good writing skills, strong attention to detail, strong deescalation skills, and be familiar with trauma informed care and harm reduction tactics.

Reasonability and Duties:

• Screen applications and community members and connect eligible community members to Permanente Supportive Housing opportunities
• Screen eligible community members for MSHDA Section 8 vouchers including managing and maintaining the MSHDA waitlist and MSHDA portal, as applicable
• Maintain a caseload of 15 clients
• Assist clients in obtaining personal documents necessary for the housing programs
• Outreach to landlords for mediation, negotiation, and tenant relations
• Link clients to resources for move-in costs, furniture, moving services, etc.
• Provide ongoing case management services to clients following the Housing First model with a strength-based approach by conducting in-home/in-community case management support at least monthly
• Complete timely program entries, exits, and case notes using the Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS)
• Track case management activities and client outcomes in HMIS as well as in an internal tracking-log
• Enter data in real-time when possible, and at least within 48 hours
• Work closely with Property Managers
• Conduct general monthly housing inspections and assist clients with move-ins

Other Core Responsibilities:

• Foster and coordinate inter-agency collaborative solutions and referrals to help clients connect with shelter/housing, meet their goals, and attain long-term stability.
• Ensure the proper maintenance of all client related files and records.
• Continuously improve and consistently implement various case management and data collection tools.
• Enforce program rules, policies, and procedures and uphold agency values to maintain a safe, client-centered, and inclusive environment for clients, staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Assist with answering phones, and crisis calls as needed.
• Participate in internal and external task-forces and committees working to assist the homeless population.

Minimum Qualifications

• Lived or professional experience working with people experiencing homelessness or extreme levels of poverty in the US.
• 1 year of experience in a role directly or indirectly related to human/social services and/or case management
• Bachelor degree, or five years of experience within a role directly or indirectly related to human/social services and/or case management
• Reliable transportation and maintenance of automobile insurance
• Valid driver’s license, Lighthouse reserves that right to require a driving record check with respect to any employee where driving is an essential function of the position.
• Knowledgeable in with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Apps,
• Flexibility and the capacity to prioritize tasks in a rapidly changing environment
• Ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work with a challenging and diverse population

Preferred Qualifications

• BSW from a 4-year accredited college or university or master’s degree in a related field
• 2+ years’ experience in a role directly or indirectly related to a human/social services and/or case management
• An understanding of the social constructs impacting those experiencing economic instability,
• Knowledge of the social services landscape in Oakland County and surrounding areas
• HMIS experience
• Ability to self-regulate and work independently while coordinating with other staff
• An appetite for innovation and creative problem-solving
• Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed Care, Housing First, and SPDAT training
• Proven ability to work effectively with racially and ethnically diverse clients and teams
• Experience in managing and leading teams
• Ability to build consensus and resolve conflict; exhibits willingness to have difficult conversations.
• Exceptional communication ability, both written and oral.
• Ability to listen and accept feedback constructively.
• Possess high emotional intelligence skills.
• Unwavering personal integrity.
• Ability to lead in a fast paced, demanding, constantly changing environment

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Physical Demands:

The incumbent typically works in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office. Incumbent may encounter frequent interruptions throughout the workday. The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle or feel, and to stand, walk, reach, bend or lift up to 20 pounds. Contact with the public in office environments may risk exposure to irrational/hostile behavior, contagious diseases, or contact with domestic animals. The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential