Housing Navigator

POSITION TITLE: Housing Navigator

REPORTS TO: Social Services Manager

LOCATION: Ventura, CA

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt (Part Time)

HOURLY RATE: $21.50

Work Shift:

• Monday - Tuesday, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM and Wednesday, 9:00 am - 1:30 PM
• 20 - 25 hours (PER WEEK)
• All positions require candidates to successfully pass a background check, LIVE scan and TB Test

Do you meet the REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS for this position? If so, this is the PERFECT POSITION for you! APPLY NOW!

Housing Navigator

The Housing Navigator is responsible for providing direct assistance and support to guests experiencing a housing crisis and homelessness through clinical engagement and intensive case management services. These services include, but are not limited to, the following: crisis intervention; developing and promoting housing readiness; accessing opportunities for housing assistance and rental subsidy programs (e.g., Section 8, EHAP-Emergency Housing and Assistance Program); and securing permanent housing placement. The position is also responsible for the development and implementation of a housing plan and guest budget for each program participant. This position requires extensive coordination within multiple internal NHF Programs (e.g. collaboration with Interdisciplinary teams), and external systems that include developing relationships with the Housing Authority, DMH, Department of Aging, Senior Living, community partners and resources, landlords, and property owners and managers (e.g. following up with housing leads, and applying for units to facilitate optimal outcomes for individuals and moving into permanent housing and/permanent supportive).

Responsibilities and Initiatives

To help NHF meet its growth goals, the Housing Navigator will:

• Conduct Initial Meeting and Assessment for each guest accessing services to build rapport and relationship while evaluating guests’ housing needs, history, barriers, and available services and support.
• Conduct or review intake and assessments (biopsychosocial, HSPs, etc.) for each guests accessing services to evaluate housing needs, history, and service/support needs.
• Connect Guests to community resources program that will support the goal of permanent housing (e.g., benefits advocacy, food pantries, employment services, mental health).
• Collaborate with our guests in determining personal goals and plans to achieve those goals through the development of an Individual Action Plan (IAP). Assist our guests in accessing services that address the needs and goals of their IAP. They Include the following but not limited to: Mental/Physical health services, mainstream benefits, education, employment, legal services, and vocational training.
• Provide housing stabilization services to guests. They include the following, but not limited to: Money Management, life skills, accessing transportation, understanding their lease, self-advocacy. Conduct housing inspections to meet HUD housing Habitability and complete reports.
• Strategize and present housing leads to guests that include listings from agency, housing authority, internet, and internal database of landlords/management firms/owners.
• Conduct weekly site visits of enrolled guests to housing navigation programs and work to troubleshoot any issues that may result in the guest cycling back into homelessness.
• Establish and cultivate relationships with landlords and other housing providers to build a portfolio of housing options for our guests.
• Participate in care coordination meetings and other plan related meetings.
• Enter data in required databases, compile and submit reports that track guest status and support services provided. Maintain accurate guest files of all required eligibility documents.
• Manage a case load up to 20 or more dependent on the program needs.
• Conduct Monthly Housing Stability plans with assigned caseload.
• Collaborate and support social service department across sites when applicable.
• Support and accompany guests in the field to appointments such as DMV, Apartment searches, and DPSS appointments.
• Complete other tasks and responsibilities as needed to meet the needs of the facility.
• Always follow NHF policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Associate degree in related field preferred and a minimum of three years of experience in social services. Experience working with unhoused individuals a plus.
• Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid Certification.
• Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license with acceptable insurance. Ongoing, active automobile insurance complies with State Requirements.
• Demonstrated experience in affordable housing programs, VASH, Section 8 programs, shelter plus care and other housing programs.
• Have demonstrated experience in working with landlords and advocating on behalf of the underserved. Have demonstrated knowledge about tenant/landlord laws.
• Being able to work autonomously and work successfully as part of a multidisciplinary professional team.        
• Must be comfortable providing direct field-based services to guests at identified motels and interim housing locations.
• Must be comfortable managing higher acuity caseload.
• Passion towards ending homelessness. Able to demonstrate empathy and a non-judgmental attitude when engaging with people experiencing homelessness.

General Physical Requirements

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods (Constantly).

• Frequent standing and walking throughout the workday.

• Frequent bending/stooping, squatting, reaching above the shoulders, twisting/turning, and kneeling.

• Frequent pushing, pulling, or lifting of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers for extended periods.

• Must utilize conversational speech for effective verbal communication.

• Must be able to hear equipment alarms, overhead pages, and direct verbal communication.

• Ability to work in varied noise levels (some client care areas may be loud).

PROGRAMS

National Health Foundation is addressing the social determinants of health using several research-proven strategies. We are targeting Food Access, with an emphasis on increasing the availability of health and fresh foods in under-resourced communities, Housing, with a focus on providing shelter and care for individuals who have been released from the hospital, the Built Environment, prioritizing the removal of the barriers to health in the Historic South Los Angeles community, and Education, with a focus on risk prevention and support for pregnant and parenting teens to complete their education. For further details on the programs, please visit our site at: http://nationalhealthfoundation.org.