Housing and Community Resource Specialist

The Housing & Community Resource Specialist supports Erie DAWN’s mission by guiding women in the program access the resources, connections, and opportunities they need to strengthen housing stability and build greater self-sufficiency.

This position serves as a primary resource and connection point for women enrolled in the Erie DAWN program. The Specialist works alongside women as they identify goals, navigate community resources, address housing-related needs, and develop practical skills that support greater independence.

The Housing & Community Resource Specialist plays an important role in creating community connections while encouraging women to take ownership of their goals, decisions, and steps towards self-sufficiency. The Specialist operates with a high degree of attention to detail and independence in managing day-to-day responsibilities while reporting to the Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives.

This is a resource-focused, relationship-centered position emphasizing housing stability, resource navigation, skill-building, problem-solving, community connections, and self-sufficiency.

Essential Responsibilities

Housing Support & Stability

• Coordinate housing arrangements for women entering the Erie DAWN program in collaboration with the Erie DAWN Leadership Team.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for housing-related questions and concerns.
• Guides women to understand and fulfill housing responsibilities, and lease expectations, program agreements.
• Conduct regular home inspections and document findings, including follow-up documentation and actions when applicable.
• Work directly with women to identify and address housing concerns and determine appropriate goals.
• Coordinate with landlords and service providers to address maintenance and housing-related issues.

Resource Navigation & Community Connections

• Serve as a knowledgeable resource and advocate for women enrolled in the Erie DAWN program connecting women to resources related to employment, financial education, healthcare, food assistance, housing, and other areas of self-sufficiency.
• Provide information, referrals, and follow-up, and assist women in navigating local, state, and federal resources.

Property & Landlord Coordination

• Monitor Erie DAWN properties and communicate maintenance or housing concerns appropriately and timely.
• Coordinate with landlords, contractors, and general service providers as needed.
• Maintain accurate property records, including property leases, utilities, maintenance requests, inspections, estimates, and invoices.

The Housing & Community Resource Specialist does not need to have every answer. The role is to know how to find the answer, build relationships with the people and organizations that can help, and make those connections accessible to women in the program.

The Specialist helps create a bridge between stable housing, community resources, skill development, and greater independence. The goal is to provide the information, connections, resources, encouragement, and opportunities that help women build support systems, confidence, personal autonomy, develop skills, and move toward self-sufficiency.