What Does a HOM Housing Specialist Do?
HOM Housing Specialists are pivotal figures in the housing ecosystem, acting as advocates, coordinators, and mediators to ensure that individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability can secure and maintain stable homes. Their work is essential to transforming communities by making the promise of home a reality for everyone, aligning with the broader mission of building safer, healthier, and stronger communities. But to completely understand their crucial role in the homeless housing process, we need to dig a little deeper. In this blog, we examine the responsibilities of a HOM Housing Specialist and show how they interact with individuals seeking housing, service providers, and property owners within the housing system.
HOM Housing Specialists play a vital role in connecting individuals and families experiencing housing instability with the resources and support they need to find and maintain a stable home.
What Is a HOM Housing Specialist?
A HOM Housing Specialist manages supportive housing programs that assist individuals and families facing homelessness or housing instability. These programs, often funded by state, federal, or local governments, provide critical resources to help participants secure stable housing and rebuild their lives. HOM Housing Specialists typically oversee a caseload of participants, guiding them through every stage of their housing journey. This includes initial program enrollment and move-in, ongoing support, annual certifications, transitions to other housing programs, and, when necessary, program termination.
Far more than administrators, HOM Housing Specialists are problem-solvers and advocates who ensure participants’ needs are met while adhering to complex regulations and program guidelines. They navigate intricate systems, such as those governed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), to deliver housing assistance effectively. Their role demands a unique blend of technical expertise, empathetic communication, and strategic thinking to make housing programs successful.
By maintaining meticulous records and coordinating with multiple stakeholders, HOM Housing Specialists ensure compliance, efficiency, and a participant-centered approach, embodying the belief that housing is a fundamental right. As Daisy Villa, a HOM Housing Specialist, puts it, “Being a housing specialist is more than just helping people to find a place to live; it also provides them with stability, dignity, and the chance to be able to rebuild their life.”
“The way I see my role is like a bridge between vulnerable individuals and the resources that can transform their lives,” Daisy says. “Sometimes all it takes from when I start briefing our participants is just listening with empathy, reassuring them that you are there to advocate for them and to help them understand that everyone should have a fair chance to have safe and sustainable housing.”
How HOM Housing Specialists Help Those Exiting Homelessness
HOM Housing Specialists serve as the primary point of contact for individuals and families entering supportive housing programs, often marking the first step toward stability for those experiencing homelessness. Their work begins with conducting orientations and intake interviews to verify eligibility and to clearly explain program requirements, expectations, and benefits. These sessions are carefully designed to build trust and ensure participants fully understand the process, whether the program is a federally funded initiative like Section 8 or a locally supported effort. By providing clear, concise information and answering questions with patience, HOM Housing Specialists set a positive tone for participants’ housing journeys.
HOM Housing Specialists meet with new program participants to offer guidance, empathy, and practical support as they take their first steps toward stable housing.
Ongoing Support
Once participants are enrolled, HOM Housing Specialists provide comprehensive, hands-on support to help them secure and maintain housing. This includes educating landlords or communicating with property owners. Housing Specialists can assist with housing unit searches using tools like online housing platforms, such as Padmission, which connect participants with available rentals. They also process Requests for Tenancy Approvals (RFTAs), ensuring all documentation is complete and compliant with program standards. HOM Housing Specialists also verify that a unit’s gross rent meets eligibility criteria.
A significant part of their role involves financial calculations to determine participants’ rent contributions (total tenant payment) and Housing Assistance Payments (HAP). These calculations are based on a thorough evaluation of participants’ income, assets, and expenses, conducted in accordance with HUD regulations and program-specific guidelines. Precision is critical, as errors can affect participants’ financial stability or program compliance.
Your Advocate
Housing Specialists also act as advocates, addressing challenges that threaten housing stability, such as late rent payments, lease disputes, or notices. They work closely with participants to resolve issues, often de-escalating tense situations with empathetic and respectful communication.
Kait Dahl, a HOM Housing Specialist, captures the emotional weight of this work: “As a housing specialist, no two days are ever the same. Some bring heartache, others bring hope. You set out each day wanting to help everyone—dreaming of ending homelessness and changing the life of at least one person. While that goal can sometimes feel out of reach, there are moments that remind you why you do this work.
“There are tough days, no doubt,” Kait says. “But then something reminds you of the impact you’re making. Being part of a mission that truly changes lives? That makes every challenge worth it.
By maintaining consistent contact through phone calls, emails, or in-person meetings, Housing Specialists foster a supportive environment that empowers participants to thrive in their new homes. For many, they are a lifeline, providing not only practical assistance but also encouragement and hope during a transformative period.
How HOM Housing Specialists Work with Service Providers
HOM Housing Specialists operate within a broader network of service providers, including case managers, clinical teams, and supportive service organizations, to ensure participants receive holistic support. They participate in case conference meetings, where they collaborate with these teams to address housing stability issues.
For example, if a participant faces challenges with lease compliance or behavioral concerns, the HOM Housing Specialist collaborates with our case manager partners to develop tailored strategies that promote long-term success. These meetings are opportunities to share insights, align goals, and create actionable plans that address both housing and personal needs.
Serving as both guides and advocates, HOM Housing Specialists play a key role in helping individuals exiting homelessness navigate the complex journey toward stable housing.
Bridging the Gap
Inter-departmental coordination is another critical aspect of their role. HOM Housing Specialists partner with teams responsible for Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections, which ensure that rental units meet safety and quality requirements. They also collaborate with housing location assistance teams that specialize in finding suitable homes for hard-to-house participants, such as those with complex needs or limited rental histories. By acting as connectors, HOM Housing Specialists bridge the gap between housing programs and supportive services, ensuring a seamless and integrated approach to participant care.
This collaboration extends to data sharing and communication. HOM Housing Specialists use secure databases, such as HUD’s Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system or state-specific platforms like Arizona’s AZTECS and GUIDE systems, to access and share participant information with service providers. They adhere to strict privacy policies to protect sensitive data, ensuring that all interactions are compliant with regulations and respectful of participants’ dignity.
Through these partnerships, HOM Housing Specialists help create a supportive ecosystem that addresses both housing and broader social determinants of health, such as mental health, employment, and education.
Ana Coronado, a HOM Housing Specialist, reflects on this impact: “The most rewarding aspect of my job for me, is witnessing how having stable housing and the peace of mind that comes with it allows individuals to concentrate on their mental health and achieve success. It truly makes me feel like I contribute to their happiness in a meaningful way.”
Be the Change
HOM Housing Specialists are more than facilitators—they are catalysts for change, transforming lives through stable housing. Their dedication to navigating complex systems, advocating for participants, and building partnerships creates a ripple effect of hope and opportunity.
As HOM Housing Specialist Brian Olivas reflects, “It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day list of job tasks, but then you are reminded by a participant that our works impacts and transforms lives. For example, the participant who is living in her car with her child and then calls to thank you after signing a new lease and starting a new life for her family. The participant from a previous case load who still calls several times a year to check in and express their appreciation for the services provided by HOM. Those unexpected calls or emails remind me of the importance of the work by this agency and the opportunity to make a difference.”
