Housing Advocate, HOPWA
Company: South Middlesex Opportu
Location: Framingham
Posted on: February 16, 2026
|
|
|
Job Description:
Job Description Job Description Summary: Provide housing
services to low income families and individuals living with
HIV/AIDS who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, by assisting
them to find affordable housing, maintain existing tenancies or to
relocate to safe and permanent housing. Why Work for SMOC? Paid
Time Off: All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of
vacation, and 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid
holidays during their first year of employment. Employer-paid Life
Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability for full-time
employees. Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical Plans
through Mass General Brigham with an HRA Employer cost-sharing
program, Dental Plans with Orthodontic Coverage, and EyeMed Vision
Insurance available to full-time employees. 403(B) Retirement Plan
with a company match starting on day one for all full-time and
part-time employees. Additional voluntary benefits including; Term
and Whole Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness,
Hospital indemnity, and Short-Term Disability. Flexible Spending
Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program,
Tuition Reimbursement and more. Primary Responsibilities: Perform
client intake and assessment and develop housing search strategies
with clients. Provide a coordinated housing search of private
market housing and/or subsidized housing programs for clients who
are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. Gather all required income
and demographic documentation for all program clients. Input data
and maintain up to date and accurate files on all clients to ensure
accurate record keeping and outcome reporting. Advocate on behalf
of clients and attend court hearings when necessary. Establish and
utilize linkages to SMOC and other community-based programs to
assist in the stabilization of clients. Participate as a member of
interdisciplinary team of care providers at the Opportunity Center
and community to facilitate the exchange of information for case
management purposes. Participate in ongoing treatment planning and
case conference with other staff and community providers. Provide
transportation as needed to ensure clients can get to various
appointments. Assist clients in securing individual supports and
benefits (i.e. SSDI, health insurance, SNAP, etc.) and housing.
Maintain accurate case records and provide progress reports to
Program Director as needed. Perform data entry including updating
data/case notes and referrals in Octopia. Provide front desk
coverage at the Opportunity Center. Engage all clients by
understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside
the scope of work. Attend and participate in team meetings as
requested and communicate effectively with clients and staff in
other areas. Maintain confidentiality of client, employee and
agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and
funder requirements Ensure compliance with program/department,
agency and/or funder requirements, as well as, SMOC policies &
procedures. Other duties as assigned. Knowledge and Skill
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or experience in related field.
Experience working with people with HIV/AIDS. Well organized person
with excellent verbal and written skills. Ability to initiate task
independently as well as carry out assigned duties. Strong computer
skills including housing search, Word and Excel. Working knowledge
of health insurance, including MA Health, SSDI and legal services.
Must be sensitive to the needs of low-income population. Must have
a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and ability to
meet insurance standards. Bilingual Spanish or Portuguese skills a
plus. Organizational Relationship: Directly reports to Component
Director, CGRC. Direct reports to this position are none. Physical
Requirement: Ability to drive. Ability to ascend and descend
stairs. Ability to lift up to 10lbs. Working Conditions: This
position will require some travel. As part of the responsibilities
of this position, the HOPWA Housing Advocate will have direct or
incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs
funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and
Human Services. Monday through Friday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Includes a
1-hour unpaid lunch break. 35 Hours per week.
Keywords: South Middlesex Opportu, Quincy , Housing Advocate, HOPWA, Healthcare , Framingham, Massachusetts