Housing Case Manager – Youth and Young Adults

Description

The Youth and Young Adult Housing Case Manager provides housing focused case management, advocacy, and supportive services to youth and young adults, between the ages of 18 – 24, experiencing homelessness or housing instability. This role focuses on helping clients achieve housing stability, increase self-sufficiency, and build long-term support networks. The Case Manager uses a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and youth-centered approach to meet young people where they are and support them in navigating complex systems. Functions performed include housing location, housing stability planning, connection to community resources, home visits, rental payment monitoring, landlord engagement, and problem solving. The principal duties are performed both in a general office environment and in the field and community where participants reside. This position may require evening or occasional weekend hours based on youth needs.

1. Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience). 

2. Experience working with youth and young adults, particularly those impacted by homelessness, foster care involvement, trauma, or system involvement. 

3. Knowledge of trauma-informed care and positive youth development. 

4. Strong communication, de-escalation, and relationship-building skills. 

5. Ability to work independently, manage time well, and adapt to crisis situations. 

6. Familiarity with housing programs, local resources, and HMIS is a plus. 

7. Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Ability to travel throughout the 7-county service area - Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton and Jasper.

1. Provide trauma-informed, youth-centered case management through home visits, outreach, and community-based support. 

2. Assess client needs, conduct intakes, and develop individualized service plans with measurable housing-stability and self-sufficiency goals. 

3. Support youth in obtaining and maintaining safe, stable housing, including emergency shelter, transitional living, and permanent housing. 

4. Link and advocate for youth to access housing, healthcare, behavioral health, education, employment, and other supportive services. 

5. Build life skills essential to housing stability, such as budgeting, self-care, and system navigation. 

6. Deliver crisis intervention, de-escalation, emotional support, and conflict resolution as needed. 

7. Maintain an appropriate caseload and provide ongoing, in-person case management and follow-up. 

8. Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure coordinated, continuous care.

1. Connect clients to community resources such as healthcare, mental health services, SNAP, TANF, education programs, job training, and legal assistance. 

2. Advocate for youth with landlords, schools, employers, and service providers to reduce barriers. 

3. Collaborate with local shelters, drop-in centers, outreach teams, child welfare, and juvenile justice agencies to coordinate care.

1. Assist with housing applications, documentation, budgeting, and understanding leases. 

2. Provide support around move-in and lease-up, including obtaining furnishings, supplies, and essential items. 

3. Educate youth on tenant rights, landlord communication, and housing retention strategies.

1. Maintain accurate, timely documentation in HMIS in compliance with agency and funding requirements.

1. Conduct street-based, school-based, or community outreach to identify and engage unstably housed youth.

2. Build trusting relationships with youth who may be hesitant to engage in services.

1. Participate in team meetings, case conferences, and staff meetings.

2. Contribute to program development, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement.

3. Attend relevant training on topics affecting homeless youth and young adults.

1. Corrective vision and hearing to normal range.
2. Ability to move between service locations 
3. Ability to lift 50 lbs. 
4. Ability to relate effectively to individuals experiencing homelessness. 
5. Possible exposure to communicable diseases and vicarious trauma. 
6. Requires sound mental reasoning, sound judgment, and the ability to respond calmy and effectively in a crisis.