AmeriCorps Housing Search and Information Specialist

Michigan’s Campaign to End Homelessness AmeriCorps Program

Member Position Description

Host Site:                          Shelter Association of Washtenaw County

Position Title:               Housing Search & Information Specialist AmeriCorps Member

Position Type:              Full-Time/1700 Hours (35 Hours/Week Minimum)

Duration of Term:      January 11th, 2021- January 7th, 2022

Reports to (daily):     Kate D’Alessio, AmeriCorps Host Site Supervisor

                                                Phone: 734.662.2829 ext. 225

Reports to (overall):  Kelli Beavers, CTEH Program Director

Program Objectives:

Michigan’s Campaign to End Homelessness (CTEH) AmeriCorps Program will support service providers by increasing their capacity to offer assistance to homeless and at-risk individuals and families. Specifically, the AmeriCorps members in the CTEH program will provide services that will increase an individual’s self-sufficiency in the area of income and life skills.

Classification:

According to the National and Community Service Act of 1990, AmeriCorps members are not considered employees of the agency where they serve, nor are they employees of the program or the federal government. As such, members cannot engage in activities performed by employees of the host agency or otherwise displace employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

Housing Search and Information Specialist:

• Assist with intakes to assess the housing needs of that client
• Address housing barriers for the client
• Create/update lists of available housing for the clients to choose from
• Connect clients with necessary funds to pay for security deposits, rental fees, or utility payments
• Maintain/develop relationships with local landlords
• Assist with independent living skills support related to addressing income and housing stabilization needs
• Establish landlord relationship management processes & landlord connection events
• Facilitate delivery of needed household items to clients who receive housing
• Generate information materials for clients, such as newsletters/pamphlets/etc.
• Provide follow-up support services as needed
• Assist client in housing search, based upon a “Housing First” philosophy
• Divert persons seeking shelter to safe, alternative housing when possible  

Additional Member Activities:

• Recruit and train a minimum of 20 volunteers during the term of service
• Attend member orientation, monthly CTEH conference calls, webinars, and other events related to CTEH service
• Attend Michigan’s AmeriCorps Member Celebration
• Attend Michigan’s AmeriCorps Signature Service Project
• Attend the program’s orientation, regional, mid-year, and end-of-year trainings
• Plan and implement a service project which helps to address homelessness in their community
• Submit quarterly reports by the appropriate deadlines with all necessary information

The Shelter Association of Washtenaw County is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be 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. 

About Us: 

Eight million Americans are one paycheck away from becoming homeless. In Washtenaw County, 5000 people are experiencing homelessness. The Shelter Association of Washtenaw County (SAWC) was established in 1982 and is the primary provider of services and emergency shelter for Washtenaw County individuals. SAWC is housed at the Robert J. Delonis Center in downtown Ann Arbor. SAWC works with a diverse range of people struggling with homelessness, including first-time homelessness, veterans, domestic violence survivors, and people battling substance abuse and/or mental health issues. Services are offered through our core programs: Residential Emergency Shelter, Non-Residential, Shelter Diversion, Critical-Time Intervention, and Warming Shelter. The SAWC serves almost 1500 people annually. 

Mission: 

Ending homelessness, one person at a time. 

Restrictions: 

No more than 20 percent of the member’s total time can be spent on fundraising or training activities.

Desired Skills:

• Willingness to adhere to NASW Code of Ethics
• Possess a high level of cultural competency
• Able to be mindful of personal boundaries, ethical obligations, and the primacy of client needs
• Bilingual or American Sign Language a plus
• Commitment to economic justice, civil, and human rights issues
• Exhibit a commitment to diversity and issues related to poverty

Minimum Qualifications:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or a lawful, permanent resident of the U.S. and provide a copy of a birth certificate, passport or permanent resident card to prove citizenship
• Have completed of some college or comparable work experience
• Must be able to complete a full term of service (one year)
• Pass the following criminal history checks in accordance with CTEH National Service Criminal History Check policy: State of Michigan, State of Residence (if applicable), FBI fingerprinting, and National Sex Offender Registry
• Have a car or can arrange reliable transportation to and from service site, multiple mandatory training sessions in Lansing, and travel on behalf of site
• Possess proficiency with word processing software and email
• Be able to interact respectfully with individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds

COMPENSATION:

• A stipend totaling $14,279 for FT, paid bi-weekly over the course of the service year
• Upon successful completion of the term, an education award, $6,195 for FT, which can be used towards qualified student loans
• Health insurance, provided for by the program, for full time members only