Housing Specialist - Forensic Housing & Recovery through Peer Services (FHARPS)

About the job

• Frontier Behavioral Health’s presence in Spokane is more than 100 years strong, allowing our non-profit organization to understand the varied needs of our clients and the larger community. Our programs are designed to provide evidence-based treatment to adults, youth and seniors who are dealing with a wide range of behavioral health issues. As a Trauma-Informed Care Organization, we firmly believe in recovery and that our clients can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives, and we consider it an honor and a privilege to assist them in their journey. If you want to have a positive impact in the lives of others come join us!
• 

 WHY CHOOSE FRONTIER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH?
• At Frontier Behavioral Health, we value our employees and recognize the importance of EVERY employee’s contribution to our mission.

• Our behavioral health services make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve and contribute to the health, safety, and quality of life for everyone in Spokane County.

• At FBH we have a variety of client services, including outpatient, inpatient, community outreach, crisis services, partnerships with schools, law enforcement and more.

• Our evidence-based, culturally appropriate, trauma informed behavioral health services address the diverse needs of those we serve.



 Forensic Housing and Recovery through Peer Services (FHARPS) is designed to address the critical housing needs of individuals whose competency to stand trial has been raised in court by providing them essential support through housing-focused interventions. Stable housing is a key factor in improving overall well-being, yet many participants face significant barriers such as past evictions, criminal legal involvement, and difficulty navigating housing systems.

FHARPS works to overcome these challenges by assisting individuals in securing and maintaining temporary housing, offering housing case management, peer support services, and connecting them to necessary community resources. Effective engagement and trust-building are central to the program, particularly for those who have experienced repeated disruptions in hou
sing and support.

FHARPS is a voluntary program that meets participants where they are, ensuring they receive tailored assistance to achieve long-term housing stability. The program's success is measured by its ability to connect individuals with housing and provide the ongoing support needed to maintain it.

• Services include:
• Choice in housing and living arrangements
• Functional separation of housing and services
• Decent, safe, and affordable housing
• Community integration and rights of tenancy
• Access to housing and privacy
• Flexible, voluntary, and recovery-focused services
• Housing first model: Participants are not required to maintain abstinence from substance use or psychiatric medication compliance to obtain housing
• Low-barrier and accessible to people with complex behavioral health conditions

The Housing Specialist is responsible for reviewing housing needs and linking clients to appropriate housing service providers in the community. The Housing Specialist provides in-person, telephone, and outreach services to clients to assist with searching for longer-term housing options. After housing is located assistance is also provided with placement into the housing and the Specialist completes follow-up for clients on the emergency housing voucher program. The Housing Specialist builds partnerships with local housing resources, landlords, and various housing programs within Region 1 (Spokane, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Lincoln, Adams, and Ferry counties). The Specialists partners with other programs within FBH which focus on clients who have been involved with the criminal justice system.

• ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
• Develop a collaborative individualized, strengths-based housing plan inclusive of action steps for housing-related issues. The individual would set goals and develop a housing plan with the assistance of the Housing Specialist.
• Contact eligible individuals no later than one calendar day following referral, utilizing mobile crisis teams when HARPS is not available.
• Update the Housing Plan as the individual’s needs and circumstances change.
• Complete progress notes to document the individual’s progress toward permanent supportive housing.
• Provide multiple contacts as needed, per week with individuals to assist with their housing needs and any crises that may occur that could jeopardize their housing.
• Provide coaching, advocacy, information and referral, linkage and coordination with resources, and ongoing supports.
• Assist with completion of required paperwork for tenancy.
• Attend program-related community, coalition, and committee meetings such as coordinated entry as assigned.
• Manage caseload in accordance with agency guidelines, Care plan development and implementation, risk assessment and management, and assessment of measurable progress.
• Participate in local homeless continuum of care group or local homeless planning groups.
• Work closely with Housing voucher distribution to support successful implementation of voucher requirements.
• Assist the individual in creating an individualized housing acquisition and maintenance plan that focuses on the individual’s choice in housing.
• Provided services to assist in obtaining and maintaining housing.
• Provide outreach, tenant support, and independent living skill building supports.
• Network and develop relationships with local landlords and property managers in efforts to build relationships and successful placement opportunities for the clients we serve.
• Work with landlords and property managers to assist with obtaining and maintaining stable housing for the client.
• Maintain client records and all other required documentation in a timely and confidential manner, in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Requires travel to see clients in the community and travel between work sites either via FBH owned Vehicles and/or personal vehicle.
• Other duties as assigned by agency or supervisor.

• QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL HAVE:
• REQUIRED:
• Bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Must apply for a Counselor Agency Affiliated – Registered credential from the WA State Department of Health within 30 days of hire.
• Must have an unrestricted and valid driver’s license, be able to pass a motor vehicle screening and driving test, have active car insurance, and be willing to use their personal vehicle in the course of work.

• KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
• Sensitivity to individuals’ unique cultural characteristics, and to the challenges faced by the socioeconomically disadvantaged.
• Ability to communicate and engage effectively with individuals of varied backgrounds, cultures, education level and socio-economic status.

• PHYSICAL, SENSORY & ENVIRONMENTAL:
• The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• This position provided client services in community settings daily. Community settings include but are not limited to residences, group/congregate living settings, hospitals, shelters, the streets or anywhere in the community at large. Some environments may not be ideal in terms of cleanliness or being habitable.
• Daily travel between locations is required.
• The ability to drive a vehicle, traverse distances up to several city blocks and on various terrains, navigate stairs, get in and out of vehicles frequently is required.
• Daily use of a computer is required.
• May be required to lift 10 - 20 pounds.
• Blood-borne Pathogen Category IV - No predictable exposure to blood-borne pathogens.
• 

 PAY RANGE (Hourly/ Non-Exempt): $25.89-$31.53

All pay is based on longevity at Frontier Behavioral Health; thus the starting pay is $25.89 per hour.



 Our Benefits and Perks are Amazing!

• ​ WE BELIEVE IN WORK LIFE BALANCE:
• Paid Time Off – Employees accrue up to 26 days of PTO in the first year of employment!

• Plus 9 Paid Federal Holidays!

• Sick Leave – Extended Sick Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Time.

• Some positions qualify for a Compressed Workweek option resulting in up to additional 26 days off per year.

• BENEFITS: www.fbhwa.org/careers/benefits
• Medical, Dental and Vision

• Retirement – We offer an impressive 403b plan including standard 3% employer contribution plus an additional 3% employer match.

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Life Insurance – Company paid coverage that starts the first of the month following 6 months from your date of hire.

• PERKS: www.fbhwa.org/careers/perks
• Signing Bonus!

• No-cost licensure supervision for those pursuing clinical licensure.

• Federal and State Loan Forgiveness Program for qualifying Programs.

• Reimbursement of License/Certification application fee that is required for the position.

• Free Employee Assistance Program

• Staff Discounts at various FBH partners throughout Spokane!

Benefits described above are based on employees who hold .5 FTE positions or greater and/or some benefits vary based on FTE. PRN positions are not benefit eligible or eligible for a sign on bonus.