Housing Specialist Bonton Farms-Bexar

Housing Specialist

Full Time • Bonton Farms-Bexar

What started as a small garden in a vacant lot in this little inner-city neighborhood, quickly turned into the City of Dallas’ first urban farm. The original farm is 1.25 acres boldly situated in the South Dallas community of Bonton, an area ravaged by generational poverty, crime, and classified by the USDA as a food desert. In 2016, a local family, the Treffingers, were inspired by the mission of Bonton Farms and generously donated 20 acres of land located about 10 miles from the original farm. They loved it so much that when another 20 acre plot adjacent to the original one became available, they purchased it and donated it for further expansion of Bonton Farms. That 40 acre site is what we call "The Bonton Farms Extension". It happens to be one of the largest urban farms in the Unites States. In this unlikely setting, we are cultivating a sustainable and vibrant urban farm with the mission to restore lives, create jobs and ignite hope.

HOUSING SPECIALIST 

Job Description 

The Housing Specialist will work closely with Bonton Farms People Development team to manage all residential properties. The Housing Specialist will implement and enforce all lodging and rental agreements, create housing plan/programs for residents, assist residents in executing their plan, and help residents find their next dignified step in housing. The Housing Specialist will take the lead in collaborating with outside agencies that are working towards affordable housing and/or ending homelessness. This person will be responsible for creating and maintaining these relationships and connections. 

The Housing Specialist is responsible for engaging people in need of affordable living or experiencing homelessness and connecting them with temporary and/or permanent housing solutions. 

The Housing Specialist will conduct assessments to match clients to appropriate housing interventions, accompanying clients from housing referral through the lease up process, and collaborating with system partners to facilitate and secure housing. This position requires knowledge of and experience in working with highly vulnerable populations. In addition, the Housing Specialist requires knowledge of housing assistance programs and knowledge of housing search and placements skills including: housing location, filling out housing applications, and the leasing process. The Housing Specialist will work primarily in the field in a variety of settings, has the ability to travel, and should be comfortable working in diverse settings.
 
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment. 

 Key Responsibilities: 

Education and Orientation:
·        Welcome new lodgers and provide them with orientation to our housing policies and procedures. 
·        Educate lodgers on their rights and responsibilities as tenants. 
·        Answer questions and address concerns regarding housing rules and regulations. 
 
Rent Collection: 
·        Manage rent collection processes, ensuring timely and accurate payments. 
·        Work with lodgers to set up payment plans when necessary. 
·        Handle rent-related inquiries and provide assistance to lodgers facing financial difficulties. 
 
Housing Inspections: 
·        Conduct regular inspections of housing units to ensure they meet safety and quality standards. 
·        Document and report any maintenance or repair issues to the maintenance team for prompt resolution. 
·        Assist lodgers in addressing housing-related maintenance requests. 
 
Resource Provision: 
·        Connect lodgers with relevant community resources and support services such as employment assistance, healthcare, and social services. 
·        Maintain a resource database and provide information on available resources. 
·        Collaborate with external agencies and organizations to expand support options for lodgers. 
 
Conflict Resolution: 
·        Mediate conflicts between lodgers or between lodgers and management, promoting a harmonious living environment. 
·        Document and report any significant disputes or incidents to higher management. 
 
Record Keeping and Reporting: 
·        Maintain accurate records of rent payments, housing inspections, and service referrals. 
·        Prepare regular reports on housing occupancy, issues, and trends for management review. 
 
Compliance and Regulations: 
·        Ensure that all housing activities comply with local, state, and federal housing laws and regulations. 
·        Stay informed about changes in housing laws and make necessary updates to policies and procedures. 
 
Customer Service: 
·        Provide exceptional customer service to lodgers, addressing their needs and concerns promptly and professionally. 
·        Foster a positive and supportive community atmosphere among lodgers. 
 
Qualifications: 
·        Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Housing Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience). 
·        Knowledge of housing laws and regulations. 
·        Strong communication and interpersonal skills. 
·        Ability to work with diverse populations. 
·        Experience in property management or social services preferred. 
·        Proficiency in computer software, including MS Office. 
·        Empathy, patience, and a genuine desire to help those in need. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.





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U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Information (Completion is voluntary)

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

You are being given the opportunity to provide the following information in order to help us comply with federal and state Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action record keeping, reporting, and other legal requirements.

Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.