Housing Coordinator

Company: Kentucky Refugee Ministries - Covington
Location: Covington
Posted on: November 20, 2022

Job Description:

The Housing Coordinator assists the case management team in securing apartments and single-family rental housing for KRMs refugee and immigrant arrivals, in most cases, prior to clients arrival in the United States/Northern Kentucky. There is no special provision or rent subsidy for refugee access to the local affordable housing market. All housing is obtained at market-rate rents. Housing for newly-arrived refugees and immigrants must be accessible to TANK bus lines. KRM does not co-sign leases for client rental housing but does assume payment responsibility until clients can assume housing costs through employment or other income.The Housing Coordinator will work extensively in the field to find housing options, reviewing listings and making contacts, working with existing KRM housing partners and developing new ones. Property owners or managers making housing available to KRM clients vary from large real estate or property management companies to individual investors. Both before and after clients arrival, the Housing Coordinator will work with clients, property owner/manager, other KRM staff, and community members to ensure that refugees and immigrants have access to affordable housing in the Norterh Kentucky region; and to help make these neighborhoods, inclusive, welcoming and safe for immigrants and long-time residents alike.*Job Duties and Responsibilities*Housing Coordination* Identify prospective rental units and contact property owners* Secure units for occupancy prior to client arrival* Inspect prospective or secured housing* Consult with family members of arrivals already resident in Northern Kentucky (US Ties) about the housing placement of soon-to-arrive family members from overseas; coordinate housing search with U.S. Ties, to the extent possible* Submit vouchers to KRMs Finance office for client rents and security deposits; ensure that checks get mailed or delivered to property owners/managers in a timely fashion* Create an Excel spreadsheet of initial expenses, including for housing, the agency makes on behalf of clients Call to set up gas, electric, water and trash removal service for units, as needed* Check on housing maintenance issues before and after clients arrival* Coordinate access to the unit with KRMs Donations so furniture, household items, and food can be placed in the unit prior to clients arrival* Arrange lease signings, including the participation of bilingual interpreters, to explain lease terms to clients* Facilitate and participate in discussions with property owners/managers, case management staff, and clients regarding clients planning to relocate from their housing Conduct home visits to instruct clients on home maintenance requirements and procedures* Follow-up on client reports of unresolved maintenance issues; assist, where needed, in reporting problems to the property owner/manager* Respond to communications from property owners/managers relating to late or unpaid rent and refer such communications to case management staff* Find temporary or permanent housing for KRM clients who have been victims of domestic violence, face eviction, or for other reasons need to relocate on an urgent basisCommunity Building* Participate in Block Watch and other community and police efforts to improve safety in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods where refugees live* Participate, along with KRM staff and other partners, in the organization of neighborhood recreation, youth or arts events to build community in neighborhoods where KRM clients live;* Participate in the planning and development of neighborhood-based community garden or microenterprise projects involving refugees* Coordinate volunteers participating in homeHousing Development* Represent KRM, along with the Housing Manager and Executive Director, in community discussions with developers, city officials and other stakeholders related to the development of affordable housing in Northern Kentucky for immigrants and other low-to moderate income residents* Monitor and participate in Church World Service (CWS) housing development efforts designed to increase refugee and immigrant access to housing.* Assist with grant applications and grant reporting, including data collection, related to housing coordination and development* Assist KRM staff in identifying KRM clients who may be interested in transitioning from renting to first-time home-ownership* Support KRMs staff providing home-ownership counseling to clients, as needed*Job Requirements and Needed Skills** Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to represent agency well with housing partners* Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities* Proficiency with MS Office, including Excel, and agency online databases* Good detail orientation and ability to precisely manage and document client housing expenses* Team-orientation; ability to work in coordination with KRM staff in different service areas (case management, donations, volunteer coordination, finance)* Strong advocacy skills to help secure fair access to housing for immigrants, and with regard to following-up with property owners/managers on maintenance problems* Ability to drive agency or personal vehicles* Good knowledge of Louisville neighborhoods, housing market and bus lines* Commitment to honest, ethical statements and representations*Work Arrangements*Currently, this is a hybrid position, with some in-office and fieldwork required and limited in-person client interaction conducted in compliance with COVID-safety protocols. Pending a continued reduction in community COVID-exposure risk and an increase in vaccinations, KRMs staff requirement for in-office work may increase.*Compensation and Benefits*This is a full-time position, 40 hours a week, and offers medical/dental/vision/life insurance, paid vacation/holidays/sick and personal days. Compensation is commensurate with experience and background. Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, holidays, sick and personal days. Duties will be conducted primarily during normal business hours, with some evenings or weekends necessary (on a flextime schedule) to accommodate out-of-school-time activities or volunteer and student/family meetings.Job Type: Full-timePay: $19.00 - $20.50 per hourBenefits:* Dental insurance* Health insurance* Paid time off* Vision insuranceSchedule:* 8 hour shift* Weekend availabilityCOVID-19 considerations:COVID NoteCurrently, KRM work arrangements are hybrid, with a minimum in-office requirement of two days a week. Required fieldwork and in-person client interaction are conducted in compliance with COVID-safety protocols, including indoor masking.Ability to commute/relocate:* Covington, KY 41011: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)Education:* Bachelor's (Required)Work Location: One location

Keywords: Kentucky Refugee Ministries - Covington, Covington , Housing Coordinator, Other , Covington, Kentucky