MELISSA COLBOURNE
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
HUD VASH Housing Specialist coordinates housing searches for program participants by matching needs with available units and maintaining a current housing database with 25–50 landlord and property leads. Builds partnerships with landlords, property managers, and Public Housing Authorities while explaining program guidelines, negotiating housing terms, and advocating for 11+ client placements per month. Keeps daily logs, reports, and placement records accurate across field and remote work.
Overview
2
2
Languages
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
HUD VASH Housing Specialist
MADISON AVENUE SUPPORT SERVICES
Culver City, CA
09.2025 - 08.2026
- Provided housing location support to program participants, assessed eligibility, and tailored housing solutions to meet individual needs.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with landlords, property managers, and Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) as liaison between clients and housing providers.
- Created and managed housing database of potential landlords/properties, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information for effective client placements.
- Collaborate with government agencies, community organizations, and property owners to expand housing opportunities and support client success.
- Create and manage a housing database of potential landlords/properties, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information for client placements.
- Prepare and maintain daily logs, records, and reports in compliance with program standards, ensuring documentation accuracy and accountability.
- Conduct weekly check-ins with program manager to review client progress, housing searches, and reporting requirements.
- Balance fieldwork and remote responsibilities, demonstrating adaptability in managing client needs across Los Angeles County and surrounding regions.
- Negotiated with landlords and real estate agents to obtain vacant apartments for clients with histories of homelessness, mental illness, and substance abuse, occupying over 20 apartments by providing direct, hands-on support services.
Senior Intake Specialist
US VETS
Inglewood, CA
02.2023 - 08.2026
- Executed client intake process, intake packet completion, and program data entry for intakes and discharges to maintain accurate program records.
- Guided clients through complex intake processes and available services, enhancing understanding and engagement.
- Led initiatives to improve intake workflow, client assignment, and referral follow-ups; mentored four newly onboarded intake specialists, fostering team cohesion and efficiency.
- Self-initiated leadership activities to improve intake workflow, client assignment, and referral follow-ups; Mentored four newly onboarded Intake Specialists, enhancing team cohesion and operational efficiency.
- Communicated progress and performance of new staff to leadership, ensuring quality and accountability during their probationary period.
- Assists with communicating program guidelines to clients as well as community partners
- Increased customer satisfaction with timely follow-ups, ensuring all necessary documentation was collected and processed promptly; Assists clients with obtaining all necessary information needed to be enrolled in program
- Facilitated client intake processes, ensuring accurate collection of vital information and documentation.
Office Clerk I
CITY OF HAWTHORNE- HOUSING DEPARTMENT
Hawthorne, CA
09.2021 - 02.2023
- Managed Emergency Small Business/Microenterprise grant program
- Administered support for Hawthorne Emergency Rental Assistance Grant Program, facilitating program operations.
- Guided applicants through the grant submission process, responding to inquiries regarding grant policies and procedures.
- Prepare, type, and process program related documents and supplemental materials
- Record, manage, and update applicant records and reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with program regulations.
- Managed incoming calls and correspondence, ensuring prompt and professional responses to clients and colleagues.
- Skilled at reviewing and receiving RTA packet and coordinated the submission and retrieval of housing assistance documents with housing agencies including HACLA and LACDA, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery to case managers.
- Maintained accurate records using electronic filing systems to enhance data retrieval efficiency.
- Coordinated communication between applicants and department staff to facilitate application inquiries.
Education
Associate in Arts (A.A.) - Social and Behavioral Science
El Camino College
Torrance06-2018
Skills
- Affordable housing
- Landlord relations
- Housing search assistance
- Rapid re-housing coordination
- Homelessness prevention services
- Database management
- Social services
- Compliance monitoring
- Client intake screening
- Section 8 program knowledge
- Coordinated entry systems
- Housing voucher processing
- Case notes documentation
- HMIS reporting
Languages
Spanish
Intermediate
Timeline
HUD VASH Housing Specialist
MADISON AVENUE SUPPORT SERVICES
09.2025 - 08.2026
Senior Intake Specialist
US VETS
02.2023 - 08.2026
Office Clerk I
CITY OF HAWTHORNE- HOUSING DEPARTMENT
09.2021 - 02.2023
Associate in Arts (A.A.) - Social and Behavioral Science
El Camino College