The role of a housing coordinator varies greatly depending on the field. A housing coordinator assists residents of a community or helps people find affordable housing. These employees may be involved in the sale of hotel or resort residences in the hospitality industry.
In housing communities such as retirement homes or group homes for the ill or disabled, housing coordinators are common. The coordinator will establish relationships with residents and ensure that their housing needs are met in this context. This could include planning community events, keeping track of maintenance records, keeping track of resident schedules, and liaising with outside contacts to act as a liaison between residents and the larger community. Student housing, apartment complexes, youth homes, and homes for people with mental health or substance abuse issues all employ housing coordinators.
Case management is the most important responsibility in the nonprofit world. The coordinator is in charge of assisting people who are having trouble finding housing, such as refugees, recovering drug addicts, and abuse victims. The coordinator works to find suitable and affordable arrangements for these people and their families in these situations. The coordinator also helps with the furnishing of the homes and ensuring that the residents are integrated into the community.
In the corporate world, these coordinators find housing for employees or members of a specific group or society. If a company provides housing for its employees, a coordinator collaborates with both the employees and the company to ensure that the accommodations are appropriate and well-maintained. Coordinators can also be used to locate short-term lodging for visitors to a major event, conference, or competition.
In government, a housing coordinator is in charge of a community’s or region’s housing. Working closely with housing advocates, community boards, tenant associations, and nonprofit groups, the job entails implementing legislative or legal developments concerning housing, overseeing rents, and landlord/tenant issues. Typically, government coordinators report to an elected official or board and represent the government on housing issues in the community.
A bachelor’s degree in social work or social services is required for many housing coordinator positions, and some employers prefer a master’s degree in social work. A high school diploma or an associate’s degree is all that is required for some jobs. Many jobs will require a driver’s license and access to a vehicle, and some may also require basic medical knowledge for those working with the sick or elderly.