Peer Support Specialist - Housing Supportive Services

About Housing Supportive Services

Our Housing Supportive Services program is dedicated to helping individuals facing chronic homelessness, homelessness, or those at risk of experiencing long-term homelessness. We provide tailored, client-centered support for individuals dealing with complex social and mental health challenges. The program is designed to foster housing stability through a strengths-based, person-centered model, respecting each individual’s lived experience, especially their history of homelessness. Service plans are collaboratively developed with tenants, focusing on their strengths, needs, and goals. By embracing a collaborative and empowering approach, we aim to promote independence, stability, and well-being for each individual.

Position Summary

The Peer Support Specialist uses their own lived experience of recovery from homelessness, mental health challenges, or substance use to support and inspire program participants. As a key member of the care team, the Peer Support Specialist builds trust and rapport with clients, helping them to engage in services, develop life skills, and maintain housing stability. This role provides mentorship, emotional support, and advocacy while modeling self-care, resiliency, and recovery.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

The following are core responsibilities of the Compliance Manager, though this list is not exhaustive:

Peer Engagement & Support

• Build meaningful, authentic relationships with participants based on mutual respect and shared lived experience.
• Use personal recovery story to inspire hope, build motivation, and reduce stigma.
• Provide emotional and social support to clients as they navigate housing and wellness challenges.
• Assist participants with goal setting, recovery planning, and identifying strengths.

Skill Building & Coaching

• Support participants in developing daily living skills, such as budgeting, time management, medication adherence, and community navigation.
• Provide guidance in accessing services including mental health, substance use treatment, healthcare, and benefits.
• Offer assistance in attending appointments and completing necessary forms or applications.

Housing Support

• Help participants understand and fulfill tenant responsibilities, including lease compliance, rent payment, and communication with landlords.
• Conduct regular home visits to support housing stability and build rapport in the client’s living environment.

Team Collaboration & Advocacy

• Actively participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, sharing insights based on client interactions.
• Serve as an advocate for participants' voices in treatment planning and service coordination.
• Provide feedback to the team on client engagement strategies, service barriers, and successes.

Group Facilitation & Community Building

• Co-facilitate support groups, peer workshops, and social activities designed to enhance wellness, social connection, and recovery.
• Encourage client participation in community and recovery-oriented resources.

Crisis Intervention

• Provide timely crisis response, including de-escalation and support during mental health, medical, or housing emergencies.
• Identify and report any concerns related to client safety or well-being to the appropriate channels.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED required. Completion of Peer Support Specialist or Peer Recovery Coach certification strongly preferred.
• Licensing/Certification: Valid California driver’s license and current auto insurance. Completion of Peer Support Specialist training program (or willingness to complete within 6 months of hire).
• Experience: Lived experience of recovery from homelessness, mental health, or substance use challenges is required. At least one year of experience working or volunteering in a peer support or human services role preferred.
• Technical Skills: Basic computer literacy, including email, data entry, and use of electronic documentation systems.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively and compassionately engage with clients, families, and the team. Strong interpersonal communication skills, with an empathetic and nonjudgmental approach. Ability to maintain healthy boundaries and professionalism in peer relationships.

Physical Demands And Work Environment

The physical demands of this position are representative of what must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions:

• Vision Requirements: Ability to see close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and adjust focus.
• Noise Level: Moderate noise level in the work environment.
• Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Regular Activities: Talking, hearing, using hands or fingers to handle objects, tools, or controls.
• Occasional Activities: Standing, walking, sitting, reaching, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
• Lifting: Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.