Housing Engagement Specialist - AIDS Foundation Chicago

At the Center for Housing and Health (CHH), we're on a mission to provide more than just housing - we're building a foundation for stability and opportunity. As the third-party administrator of the Flexible Housing Pool (FHP), CHH plays a key role in maintaining a robust portfolio of quality, readily accessible housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness across Chicago and Cook County. The Flexible Housing Pool is a groundbreaking initiative, uniting public and private partners to create lasting housing solutions. Through our collaboration with 20 community-based organizations, we provide critical tenancy support to participants as they transition from homelessness to a place they can call home. 

As a Housing Engagement Specialist, you'll join our dynamic Landlord Engagement Team, where every day brings a new challenge and the chance to make a meaningful impact. In this role, you'll focus on one of the following key areas (with opportunities to support others based on program needs):

a) Developing and maintaining relationships with property owners

b) Conduct housing inspections

c) Support emergency tenant moves

d) Mitigate landlord/tenant conflicts

e) Support program participant access to “bridge” housing and 

f) Coordinate with direct service staff to ensure program participants experience a seamless transition from homelessness to housing. CHH is a supporting organization of AIDS Foundation Chicago

The salary for this position is $50,000 annually. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Increase and Maintain a Robust Housing Portfolio

Research and identify a broad range of safe and affordable rental housing throughout the city of Chicago and/or Cook County suburbs for individuals and families experiencing homelessness

Develop, cultivate, and maintain professional relationships with landlords

Outreach to and engage landlords/property managers to secure safe, affordable rental units that meet the needs and preferences of program participants

Conduct unit inspections to ensure housing quality standards are met; Work collaboratively with landlords/property managers to monitor unit remediation and repair activities prior to move-in

Liaise between case managers and landlords, on behalf of the client, to resolve significant repair or safety issues after tenant move-in and for the duration of the lease; Facilitate lease agreements with landlords, and complete program rental payment paperwork to ensure subsidy payments are set up in a timely manner

Lease Renewals and Tenant Moves

No less than 30-45 days to the lease expiration, coordinate with partner subcontracted case manager to initiate the lease renewal process

Initiate and complete a lease renewal agreement with the landlord, when applicable

Complete and submit program rental payment paperwork for renewals in a timely manner; For client moves, collaborate with the Landlord Engagement Team to identify a new unit; Coordinate leasing and move logistics with the partner case manager and landlord

Submit complete and accurate lease and rental payment paperwork in a timely manner

General Program Supports

Support coordination and monitoring of program participant move-in to temporary (“bridge”) housing

Monitor and document program participant move outs; Provide professional customer service when responding to and addressing landlord concerns/complaints

Provide mitigation supports to landlords, as needed; Identify and secure “high need” units, specifically Chicago northside neighborhood units, suburban units, accessible units, and units for individuals with justice-involved backgrounds

Support the Landlord Engagement Manager to promote the program at community engagement events, and landlord appreciation events

Be available on a rotating basis for the 24/7 landlord crisis line to address landlord issues

Quality Assurance

Complete and submit all paperwork in an accurate and timely manner for approval by the Landlord Engagement Manager

Complete and update data entry in Case Worthy (case management and leasing database) in an accurate and timely manner

Enter and track housing inventory data in the landlord portfolio database; Meet or exceed monthly program goals

Submit monthly Quality Assurance reports Other Participate in annual internal trainings regarding fair housing laws and tenant-landlord rental ordinances

Other

Stay abreast of fair housing laws and tenant-landlord rental ordinances

Actively participate in agency, department, and team meetings; Assist with agency-wide activities as directed, including Annual Meeting, AIDS Run & Walk, and others

Participate in voluntary or assigned professional development opportunities

Protect organization's values and manage risk by keeping information confidential and following HIPAA regulations

Perform other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in social service or related field, Business Administration, Communications or 1 or more years of Housing/Homelessness or Business/Real Estate experience OR 1 or more years of Housing/Homelessness or Business/Real Estate experience

Valid driver's license and acceptable vehicle insurance

Reliable vehicle transportation

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in social service or related field, Business Administration, Communications or 1 or more years of Housing/Homelessness or Business/Real Estate experience

3 or more years in Housing/Homelessness or related field or 2 or more years in Real Estate experience

Bi-lingual, Spanish-speaking

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Exceptional time management skills

Strong ability to multi-task in a fast-paced work environment

Strong attention to detail

Strong communication skills to work with and address different constituencies (staff, landlords, program participants)

Knowledge and understanding of applicable housing/rental laws, with training and guidance

Openness to learning about a variety of Chicago neighborhoods/wards and suburban Cook County suburbs

Basic knowledge of Microsoft applications, including Outlook and Excel

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

None.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This role is perfect for someone who thrives on variety and enjoys being out in the community. You'll spend about 60% of your time exploring neighborhoods, visiting properties, and connecting with landlords and tenants across Chicago. The other 40% of your time will be spent in a comfortable office environment, catching up on emails, planning next steps, and collaborating with the team. It's a great balance of active, hands-on work and focused office time. While the job requires light physical effort - like carrying materials (up to 10 pounds) or pushing and pulling items occasionally - it's all in service of empowering people to find a place to call home.