HCEC Program Coordinator

• Metro Housing Boston (formerly Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership) is a leading nonprofit dedicated to connecting the residents of Greater Boston with safe, decent homes they can afford. Metro Housing empowers families and individuals to move along the continuum from homelessness to housing stability. Serving more than 25,000 households annually, we work seamlessly to bridge the gaps among government, nonprofits, and corporations to continually increase our impact. With more than 30 years’ experience piloting and implementing housing programs, we have solidified our position as an industry-leading expert on navigating the affordable housing field.

Metro Housing|Boston’s mission:  “We mobilize wide-ranging resources to provide innovative and personalized services that lead families and individuals to housing stability, economic security and an improved quality of life.”

The Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) Program Coordinator will oversee the administration of the Department of Housing and Community Development’s HCEC Program. In addition, s/he will be expected to be an active and engaged participant in Boston’s housing and homeless community, representing the interests and priorities of Metro Housing.

• • • • • • • • Communicate with partners, vendors, and elected officials to obtain all relevant information and documentation required to process applications in a timely manner;
              • Participate in coverage of walk-in and resource line hours;
              • Provide information and referral services, and brief counseling around immediate client concerns and/or barriers to housing, including but not limited to: financial instability, legal issues, mental health issues, substance abuse, un- or under-employment, health care, and housekeeping;
              • Obtain resources and services as requested and/or needed to address clients’ needs, including but not limited to: housing applications, negotiation and mediation with property owners and utility companies, fuel assistance, and shelter information;
              • Administer homelessness prevention funds, including Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT), by conducting intakes, screening families for program eligibility, and meeting with heads of household directly to complete paperwork and determine an appropriate course of action: either administering funding or providing counseling and referral services, or both;
              • Assist clients with on-going housing search including but not limited to, contacting prospective landlords and/or management companies, accompanying clients to view and apply for units, attending appointments at housing agencies and other search activities as they present;
              • Develop and conduct workshops to address varied needs and stages of housing search; affordable housing, and RAFT;
              • Track client referrals and program outcomes and maintain client data and documentation
              • Other duties as assigned

• • • Ability to communicate effectively and compassionately with clients, internal team members and external partners.
    • Strong time management skills and the capability to handle high-volume of administrative work and manage a very busy work environment with competing priorities;
    • Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and complete repetitive tasks quickly and accurately;
    • Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage various long-term projects concurrently;
    • Sensitivity to the needs of a diverse, low income population. Demonstrated ability to handle emotionally stressful situations and manage conflict. Empathetic to those needing reasonable accommodations as well as language assistance;
    • Ability to both work independently and with a team;
    • Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills;
    • Proficient with Windows, Microsoft Access, Word, Excel, and comfort learning new software and tracking systems;
    • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent related work experience;
    • Sensitive to diverse clientele;

Salary: $52,500 with excellent benefits.  (This is a non-exempt position) Please see website:  http://metrohousingboston.org/