United Community Housing Coalition

Position Overview 
The United Community Housing Coalition (UCHC) housing relocation counselor will work under the guidance of the Housing Relocation Director and will be responsible for ensuring homeless clients and people at risk of homelessness are relocated to decent, safe and affordable housing. This person will work with all other staff of UCHC and our partners at Michigan Legal Services (MLS), to assist households as needed.  Service delivery will depend on client eligibility and funding sources at any given time.   
 

Responsibilities 

• Interview clients who have a pending eviction or who are homeless to determine the causes of their situation, needs, and ability to sustain future housing independently or with assistance. 

• Locate decent and affordable housing units appropriate for each household being assisted, and maintain ongoing communication with the Housing Resource Developer about available housing options.  

• Refer clients to the ‘Repair Team’ for an inspection, or if necessary, inspect the housing to determine habitability to ensure federal housing quality standards are met. 

• Negotiate rental agreements or leases, and act as an advocate for the client to meet their housing needs. 

• Assist household in identifying and obtaining necessary resources to successfully complete their relocation. 

• Perform all other functions necessary to relocate households and/or secure client’s possessions so as to avoid the loss of furniture and other items in an eviction.  

• Maintain client confidence and protecting operations by keeping information confidential. 

• Refer cases in need of legal help or with more complex problems to appropriate legal and staff, and with problems beyond legal problems to appropriate other staff.   

• Prepare intake internal paperwork timely, completely and accurately. 

• Maintain records of the case and contacts in the file suitable for file review and for anyone covering the case to have a sufficient knowledge from the file to provide assistance in your absence. 

• Process rental assistance applications and submit to Rental Assistance Director for approval.   

• Be aware of the programs and policies of UCHC and use those to provide comprehensive assistance to your clients.  

• Work collaboratively with the Rental Assistance Counselor as needed.  

• Perform other such housing related tasks as may be necessary and assigned by the executive director, including but not limited to processing rental assistance applications whether the client is relocating or remaining in their current housing. 

  

Preferred Qualifications 

The successful candidate will believe in UCHC’s mission and demonstrate a passion for driving the organization’s growth. They will also have: 

• Minimum of a high school diploma or GED, and 3 years of related experience working with the homeless, at risk of homelessness, and low-income population.  A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is preferred though not required.   

• Basic knowledge or landlord/tenant relations, rights and procedures.  

• Experience with Microsoft Office and intermediate computer literacy.  

• Willingness to maintain a flexible schedule of both in-office and work-from-home conditions. 

• Be a team player who is self-motivated, possess problem solving skills and have a strong attention to detail. 

• The ability to learn quickly and to balance multiple clients at once.  

• Demonstrated commitment to community and the population we serve. 
   

Physical considerations 

• A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle will be useful for this position.  

• The housing relocation counselor may need to enter housing units that do not yet comply with ADA accessibility standards. Accommodations can made to enable the selected candidate to perform the essential functions of this position. 
   

Specifics 

• Full-time position.  

• Willingness to maintain a flexible schedule of both in-office and work-from-home conditions. 

• Salary commensurate with experience. UCHC offers generous medical benefits and time off. 

• Schedule: 8:30 - 4:30 or 9:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday, though some additional time may be required depending on court filings. 

• Accommodations can be made to enable the selected candidate to perform the essential functions of this position. 

• Expected start date: July 29, 2020. Applicants are now being accepted and reviewed. 
  Position open until filled. 

 

Applicant Instructions 
Interested candidates should send a resume, a completed employment application, cover letter, and three references to employment@uchcdetroit.org