Housing Placement Specialist, Refugee Services
Job Description
Position Details
Join Us in Changing Lives Across the Detroit Metro Area
Are you passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of New Americans rebuilding their futures? As a Housing Placement Specialist with our Refugee Services team, you’ll play a vital role in helping individuals and families secure safe, stable, and affordable housing as they begin their new lives in the United States.
In this hands-on, mission-driven position, you’ll blend advocacy, problem-solving, cultural support, and community outreach—ensuring our refugee clients not only find housing but also develop the tools to maintain long-term stability.
If you’re energized by purpose-filled work, enjoy being out in the community, and thrive in a collaborative environment where every day brings new opportunities to support and empower others, this is a chance to make your career part of something bigger.
Pay: $20.50/hour
Location: Detroit Metro Area
Bi-lingual in Dari/Pasto is highly preferred.
Join a team that believes in compassion, service, and the power of second chances—helping families build brighter futures, one home at a time.
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Provides housing support services for Refugee clients in need of affordable housing, in accordance with all applicable contractual and regulatory requirements and accreditation standards.
Essential Functions (Duties and Responsibilities):
- Provide comprehensive, strength-based housing support services to all assigned clients including intake assessment, goal-setting, progress monitoring, financial literacy, resources and referrals and advocacy.
- Coordinate with referring case managers to develop and implement a housing plan to access stable and affordable housing; address the barriers to obtaining and maintaining housing.
- Educate clients on referrals/services available and the procedures for applying for/accessing referrals/services, as well as their rights related to services. Assist clients in completing required documentation.
- Participate in in-house case consultations and meetings, facilitating problem-solving, resource-sharing, and communication regarding refugee tenants. Address non-compliance issues with Refugee case managers and landlords. Support and guide families in positive decision-making.
- Assist in obtaining and delivering needed household items and furniture to clients homes; including the loading and unloading of items.
- Assist with managing the inventory of donated items, at Samaritas' central location and support with organizing and maintaining tracking of domations.
- Serve as an advocate for clients with tenants, and act as their liaison with service providers and community agencies and implement strategies to acknowledge and/or celebrate resident achievements and accomplishments. Implement financial literacy programming to guide clients in making sound decisions regarding their personal finances.
- Facilitate ongoing communication with case managers and landlords in order to assess family's wellbeing, as well as other family needs.
- Represent Refugee Services program and the organization at community events and outreach efforts, promoting community awareness of the Refugee Services program and its services.
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Job Qualifications
Education, Training, and Licensure/Certification
- Bachelor degree in social work, psychology, or related human services field preferred
Experience
- Preferred - two years of experience in human or community services
- Preferred - previous experience working with adults or families in crisis
- Bi-lingual in Dari and Pasto highly preferred
Additional Work Requirements
- Unrestricted driver's license with good driving record required. Reliable personal transportation suitable for safely transporting persons served; proof of current automobile insurance required.
- Ability to drive a 20 ft rental vehicle.
- Ability to frequently lift heavy furniture, up to 50 lbs. using proper body mechanics, knowing your own physical limits, and proper team lifting is imperative.
- Ability to move freely about. High level of continual concentration. Near visual acuity; hand-eye coordination; hand and finger dexterity.
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