Eviction Prevention Specialist

The Eviction Prevention Specialist provides housing stabilization services to households facing or potentially facing eviction through education programs, mediation, referrals to community-based supports, and short-term financial assistance when available. The Eviction Prevention Specialist also assists with outreach to targeted neighborhoods and educates landlords and community partners about the program. The Eviction Prevention Specialist works a flexible schedule, including 2-3 evenings and 1 weekend day per month as necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Outreach:

• In collaboration with the PM - VERP and the Crisis Response Director (CRD), create and implement an outreach plan that ensures services are available to the most vulnerable households across the designated service area.
• Lead workshops and information sessions about the eviction process, tenant rights, working with landlords, and developing household spending plans.
• Court observation and navigation as needed.
• In collaboration with PM - VERP and CRD, triage households, focusing on those that require immediate attention to lessen the risk of eviction.
• Conduct individual needs assessment with households that request additional supports at workshops or are referred through Court Navigators, the Housing Crisis Hotline, and community VERP partners.
• Connect households with appropriate community services and programs for long-term solutions, ensuring that the household understands the requirements and purpose of the program to which they are being referred.
• Conduct mediation sessions with participants and landlords as needed to restore communications and establish eviction prevention plans.
• When required, use Financial Assistance funds to facilitate housing stability, and effective solutions to identified needs.
• Attend community outreach events throughout the designated service area.
• Use a housing first approach to rapidly resolve the threat of eviction and address or eliminate barriers to maintaining and sustaining housing
• Develop and cultivate relationships with local property management agencies to seek housing for participants and to encourage property managers to modify tenant selection criteria to accommodate participants facing homelessness.
• Assist participants in becoming familiar and identifying financial concerns that could cause possible challenges for housing stabilization and eviction prevention.

• Other duties as assigned.

Customer Service:

• Provide service to internal and external customers according to standards as outlined in ForKids Customer CARE Manual.

Financial Management:

• Use agency resources (financial and non-financial) prudently.
• Acknowledge and follow financial policies of the agency.

Grants Data Management:

• Accurately complete all required data reporting in accordance with established guidelines.
• Participate in all scheduled data collection trainings.

Community Engagement:

• Participate in development and fundraising activities as needed and requested (ex: meeting with donors, providing tours, attending fundraising events).