Kadecia Terrell
Summary
Experienced housing and victim services professional with a demonstrated history of serving individuals and families experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, and serious mental illness within local government and nonprofit settings. Skilled in crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, housing stabilization, cross-functional collaboration, staff leadership, financial empowerment, community outreach, and equity initiatives. Passionate about expanding equitable access to housing and strengthening systems that improve outcomes for vulnerable communities.
Overview
1
1
Certification
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Housing Specialist
City of Alexandria
Alexandria, VA
07.2025 - Current
- Provide housing stabilization services to individuals experiencing homelessness and serious mental illness.
- Locate, secure, and maintain permanent housing while promoting client autonomy in housing choice.
- Collaborate with the Community Services Board (CSB), ACTS, emergency shelters, behavioral health providers, landlords, and multidisciplinary partners to coordinate comprehensive client support.
- Respond quickly to complex housing crises, medication-related barriers, and service coordination needs through proactive problem solving.
- Locate, secure, and maintain permanent housing for 6 clients while promoting client autonomy in housing choice, with a maxload of 15.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of client needs to facilitate access to appropriate housing resources.
- Conduct budgeting and financial literacy workshops for Community Services Board (CSB) clients at the Wellness Center to promote long-term housing stability and self-sufficiency.
- Ensure timely documentation and compliance with state and local program requirements while coordinating supporting documentation across partner agencies.
Equity Coordinator+
Office of Housing
Alexandria, VA
03.2026 - Current
- Coordinate meetings and lead initiatives that advance equity for staff and the community.
- Develop community and staff surveys to gauge perspectives and identify opportunities for organizational improvement.
- Proposed and coordinated initial Mental Health First Aid training for Office of Housing staff to strengthen trauma-informed customer service set for October 2026.
- Developing standardized transition templates with Equity Team to document responsibilities beyond formal job descriptions to preserve institutional knowledge and ensure continuity during staff vacancies.
Hotline Specialist
Shelter House
Fairfax County, VA
11.2024 - Current
- Provide crisis counseling, safety planning, emergency shelter coordination, advocacy, and resource referrals for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault via hotline services.
- Review survivor service trends with leadership and team members to identify emerging community needs and strengthen connections to additional resources and supportive services.
Community Service Specialist II
City of Alexandria
Alexandria, VA
06.2024 - 07.2025
- Housing locator within a domestic violence shelter providing supportive housing services to shelter residents and outreach clients.
- Delivered financial literacy education, tenant rights education, and housing navigation services.
- Provided crisis intervention through hotline and shelter services.
- Collaborated with partnering agencies to provide comprehensive survivor-centered support.
- Analyzed program performance data to inform strategy adjustments and enhance service delivery effectiveness.
Hotline Chat Advocate / Rape Crisis Counselor
Houston Area Women's Center
Houston, TX
03.2020 - 06.2024
- Delivered crisis counseling, coordinated safety planning and emergency shelter, advocated for survivors, and referred resources to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
- Provided emotional support to survivors through active listening and empathetic engagement.
- Collaborated with community organizations to coordinate resources and referral services for clients.
Rapid Re-Housing Case Manager / Eligibility Specialist
Harris County Community Services
Houston, TX
12.2018 - 06.2024
- Managed a caseload of 25+ households using a Housing First, person-centered approach while maintaining HUD and HMIS compliance.
- Facilitated client recovery from barriers such as identification issues, untreated mental illness, substance use disorders, and lack of support systems.
- Conducted over 500 interviews with households for FEMA-funded emergency assistance, ensuring accurate and timely support.
- Engaged in community initiatives to foster trust and collaboration between residents and local government.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Sociology, Women's Studies
Radford University
Radford, VASkills
- Staff Leadership
- Program Coordination
- Housing Navigation & Stabilization
- Housing Systems Expertise
- Cross-System Collaboration
- Mental Health First Aid Certified
- Crisis Intervention
- Financial Literacy Coaching
- Community Outreach
- Problem Solving
- Regulatory Compliance
Certification
Adult Mental Health First Aid Certified (August 2024)
Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR Certified (September 2024)
Youth Mental Health First Aid Certified (September 2024)
Fair Housing Certified (January 2026)
Timeline
Equity Coordinator+
Office of Housing
03.2026 - Current
Housing Specialist
City of Alexandria
07.2025 - Current
Hotline Specialist
Shelter House
11.2024 - Current
Community Service Specialist II
City of Alexandria
06.2024 - 07.2025
Hotline Chat Advocate / Rape Crisis Counselor
Houston Area Women's Center
03.2020 - 06.2024
Rapid Re-Housing Case Manager / Eligibility Specialist
Harris County Community Services
12.2018 - 06.2024
Bachelor of Science - Sociology, Women's Studies
Radford University