Housing Specialist
Company: Volunteers of America Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles
Posted on: April 1, 2026
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Job Description:
About Us: VOALA Helping Our Most Vulnerable Change Their Life
Stories Volunteers of America is a non-profit human services
organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening
families, and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of
social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start
programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans? services,
homeless shelters, low-income housing program as well as drug and
alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at www.voala.org. PAY RATE:
$23.53 - $24.77 Per Hour BENEFITS: VOALA offers competitive
medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits. JOB SUMMARY AND
PURPOSE The Housing Specialist is responsible for identifying
suitable housing options for program participants and their
families, and assisting the participants to achieve sustainable and
healthy independent living. Part of services team for the program,
the Housing Specialist participates in all stages of client
service: assessment, services planning, engagement and delivery.
Assists program case management, outreach and community engagement
as directed. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Identifies and locates
housing options suitable for homeless participants, including
referral to VOALA shelters as appropriate; Creates and maintains a
housing database linking tenants to apartments Communicates with
landlords and familiarize them with the VOALA programs and the
unique needs of participants Conducts habitability and lead-based
paint inspections of housing options as needed Works directly (One
on One) with landlords on behalf of clients and program Develops
support systems to meet individual client's housing needs;
coordinates and facilitates move-in activities, rental
negotiations, and service referrals as needed Facilitates the use
of community resources to assist both tenants and landlords in the
event of problems leading to potential eviction As a member of the
program case management team, provides information referrals,
crisis intervention, and assistance with permanent housing
placement for participants Assists case managers in conducting the
comprehensive screenings and assessments to collect functional,
environmental, financial, employment, housing, educational, and
health information, as appropriate, to develop an Individual
Service Plan Coordinates follow-up services with case management
team Additional duties as assigned ESSENTIAL DUTIES: Services for
this position must be provided on-site. As a result, the position
requires incumbents to report to work on-site each day of active
employment. Identifies and locates housing options suitable for
homeless program participants. Creates and maintains a housing
database linking tenants to apartments Communicates with landlords
and familiarize them with the program Works one-on-one with
landlords to help clients, and represent program Develops Support
system for clients to achieve and keep permanent housing, involving
landlords and services available in the community. Coordinates
efforts with Case Management team, supporting Case Management
initiatives for clients served, meets regularly to stay current
with client needs Participates in Community engagement and outreach
efforts Other duties as required and may be subject to change
MANDATED REPORTER As service providers to the underprivileged and
vulnerable in our community, all employees are considered Mandated
Reporters, and must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse
to proper authorities. Qualifications REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to
pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal
history, personal references, employment and education
verifications Ability to perform under circumstances of possible
emotional stress and conflicts dealing with difficult,
uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients as VOALA serves
the neediest of the needy in our programs which may include clients
with homelessness, mental-illness, substance abuse, recently
released from incarceration and other challenges. EDUCATION:
Bachelor?s Degree in Social Services or related discipline, Or
Equivalent combination of education and work experience (four
years) EXPERIENCE: One year of experience working with veterans,
people in recovery and or homelessness individuals PREFERRED
QUALIFICATIONS: Bilingual in English and Spanish (written and
verbal) Experience and familiarity using a HMIS (homeless database)
Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity employer. All
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment
without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic
protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This employer
participates in E-Verify as required by the federal government and
will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information
to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify
cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is
required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to
contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security
Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before
the employer can take any action against you, including terminating
your employment.
Keywords: Volunteers of America Los Angeles, Palmdale , Housing Specialist, Social Services , Los Angeles, California
