Housing Counselor I

Company: Chinese American Service League
Location: Chicago
Posted on: February 19, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Join CASL as a Housing Counselor I and Make a Difference Are you passionate about helping individuals and families build housing stability and financial confidence? Join CASL as a Housing Counselor I, where you’ll work directly with community members to provide housing counseling, financial education, and hands-on support. In this client-facing role, you’ll help people navigate rental assistance, homeownership preparation, foreclosure prevention, and budgeting. Making a real, day-to-day impact in the communities we serve. Your Mission: The Housing Counselor I advances CASL’s mission by providing accessible, client-centered housing counseling and financial education that empowers individuals and families to make informed decisions, build financial stability, and secure safe, sustainable housing. Through direct service, outreach, and education, this role supports community members as they navigate housing systems with confidence and dignity. About CASL: Founded in 1978, CASL is the largest and most comprehensive community-based organization in the Midwest, with deep roots in serving Asian Americans and a commitment to welcoming all. With over 45 years of experience, CASL supports individuals and families across four essential areas: health, human services, education, and advocacy. From early learning and senior care to legal assistance, housing support, and citizenship services, CASL helps thousands of Chicago-area residents build healthy, stable, and empowered lives. To hear about: CASL's history, watch here CASL's future, watch here Make a Difference, and Get the Support You Deserve Salary Range: $40,000 - $42,000/year \u007C Full Benefits Package Included We value your expertise and commitment, and we invest in both. From competitive pay and comprehensive benefits to a culture that puts people first, you’ll be supported while doing work that matters. This role is based in Chinatown, Chicago, with a standard Monday–Friday schedule. Scroll down for full details on salary, benefits, schedule and what it's like to be part of CASL. What You’ll Impact The Housing Counselor I directly impacts community stability by helping individuals and families understand their housing options, build financial literacy, and access critical housing resources. Through one-on-one counseling, workshops, and outreach, this role supports clients in preventing housing crises, strengthening financial decision-making, and achieving greater long-term stability. Key Responsibilities: Client Counseling and Support: Conduct individual counseling sessions, providing guidance on pre-purchase, post-purchase, rental, foreclosure prevention, and financial education to support clients in achieving their housing and financial goals. Apply for subsidized housing, rental or mortgage assistance, small accessible repairs for seniors, and property tax exemptions on behalf of clients. Offer ongoing follow-up and advice to clients every 30 days or as needed, ensuring continuous support until goals are achieved. Close cases promptly after counseling sessions are complete, ensuring a smooth transition for clients. Workshop and Outreach Management: Organize, implement, and lead housing and financial literacy workshops and seminars on topics including pre-purchase, post-purchase, rental, foreclosure prevention, and fair housing. Establish contacts with community partners to collaborate on workshops and expand the program’s reach. Design promotional materials and utilize social media and other channels to recruit clients and raise awareness of available services. Administration and Reporting: Maintain accurate physical files and system records in platforms such as Counselor Max, ECM, and Salesforce. Handle inquiries related to housing over the phone, via email, and in person, providing timely and accurate information. Prepare monthly and quarterly reports for related programs as needed, supporting program evaluation and continuous improvement. Professional Development: Participate in ongoing professional development, attending at least 8 hours of job-related training annually to stay current with housing and financial literacy best practices. Continue training to apply new knowledge and skills to tasks assigned by the Housing Coordinator, including online and out-of-state training opportunities within program requirements and budget. Outreach and Community Engagement: Engage in outreach and marketing efforts to diverse neighborhoods to recruit clients and promote housing and financial assistance services. Assist clients with completing applications and interpreting or translating letters and documents as required. Additional Responsibilities: Contribute to additional responsibilities as needed to support the Adult Service department’s initiatives and overall organizational goals, ensuring flexibility and alignment with CASL’s evolving needs. Note: This job description outlines primary responsibilities but is not exhaustive. Duties may evolve in response to organizational needs, and flexibility will be required. What You Bring - To thrive in this role, you should have: Education and Experience: Associate degree with at least 4 years of working experience, or High School diploma or equivalent with at least 5 years of related working experience. Skills and Knowledge: Strong interest in working with clients of all ages, demonstrating empathy and cultural sensitivity Bilingual proficiency in spoken and written English and Cantonese required, Mandarin a plus Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic environment, with the ability to adjust to changing client needs and program requirements. Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to think critically and find creative solutions to client challenges and service delivery obstacles. Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel), data entry and web navigation Basic end-user level understanding and experience with Salesforce is a plus. Physical Demands: Must be able to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods, with occasional lifting or moving of objects weighing up to 20 pounds. Required to sit for extended periods of time and travel by car. Environment and Scheduling: Work is performed during standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, with flexibility to work additional hours in the evenings or weekends, as necessary. Work is performed in various settings including the office, clients’ homes, and outdoor environments. Compensation & Benefits: This position offers a salary range of $40,000 - $42,000 annually, reflective of experience and qualifications. Join CASL and unlock a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your loved ones. As a full-time employee, you'll enjoy a range of options tailored to your needs. CASL’s comprehensive benefits package includes: Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage Retirement Plan Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) 11 Paid Holidays, including Lunar New Year and Juneteenth Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Health Savings Account (HSA) Life Insurance, AD&D, and Disability Coverage Voluntary Worksite Benefits and Pet Insurance Commuter Benefits Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your household Why Choose CASL: Inclusivity: Join an organization that values mutual respect and acceptance, fostering a culture of inclusivity. Empowerment: Support staff empowerment through skill development and growth opportunities. Collaboration: Be part of a workplace that thrives on collaboration and teamwork. Transformation: Envision and realize transformative changes in people, processes, and policies. Resiliency: Work with a dynamic workforce and model resiliency to achieve collective strengths. Join Us and Make a Difference: Join us at CASL, where together, we create a brighter future for our community. Thank you for your interest in joining our team! Every application is personally reviewed by a real person—not AI. Our process may take some time, but rest assured, we will follow up with updates as soon as we can. We appreciate your patience and look forward to learning more about you. At CASL, we believe that diverse perspectives fuel innovation and drive success. If you're excited about the opportunity but unsure if you meet every requirement listed, we still encourage you to submit your application. Our company culture thrives on the unique talents and experiences that each individual brings to the table. We're looking for the right fit, and that goes beyond a checklist of qualifications. Join us in shaping a dynamic and inclusive team where your skills and contributions truly matter. CASL is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

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