Housing Navigator-Family Matters

EAST OAKLAND COMMUNITY PROJECT•Oakland, CA

15d•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Matters Housing Navigator works collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team to ensure that formerly homeless families are stabilized in the community through permanent housing and connection to community services. The Family Matters Shelter serves 20 families and an estimated total of 60 individuals, including youth, at any given time. The Housing Navigator maintains a caseload of homeless families, many of whom will have multiple barriers, including, but not limited to substance use and health conditions. The goal is to provide support for families while they work towards securing stable housing. This position will also help families build their independent living skills so they are able to maintain permanent housing and will provide connections community resources. This position also cultivates new and ongoing relationships with private property owners to ensure that families have affordable permanent housing opportunities to stabilize in the community.

Requirements

Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work, Psychology or related field.
Minimum three to five year experience of working with the homeless, people who are dually diagnosed, or living with substance
Knowledgeable about dynamics of homelessness, families, substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence and parenting
Ability to build supportive and respectful working relationships with individuals who are diagnosed with a mental illness that instill hope and promotes self-determination
Familiarity with public benefits, chemical dependency, health, and social service programs in Alameda County
Excellent knowledge of local housing market
Knowledge and experience utilizing basic counseling and Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques
Ability to use conflict-resolution skills to de-escalate volatile situations with families
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Ability to meet deadlines and complete multiple tasks in a timely manner
Ability to work effectively with a team of other professionals and coordinate services/activities with each member, as needed
Capacity to work well in a fast-paced environment
Demonstrated ability to maintain a calm demeanor
Capacity to set priorities in the presence of conflicting needs in consultation with Supervisor
Strong self-awareness and sense of limitations
Appropriate professional and personal boundaries with high integrity
Ability to maintain professional attitude and appearance at all times
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Proven ability to work independently and as an effective and collaborative member of a team
Must dress neatly and professional when reporting to work
Ability to work flexible hours, including some weekends and evenings
English, second language, especially Spanish or American Sign Language a plus
High School level mathematical skills
Able to utilize good judgment, think logically and make sound decisions.
Demonstrated ability to outline realistic service plans.
Experience working with computers and successful utilization of Word and Excel.
Must possess knowledge of the internet and be able to retrieve resources and email and ability to perform word processing.
Reliable transportation and proof of a valid and current California Driver's License and current insurance along with a clean DMV record required.
This position requires an annual tuberculosis test.

Nice To Haves

Master's level degree in related field highly desirable
Experience working in a homeless drop-in center or shelter setting strongly preferred
Knowledge of rapid re-housing techniques

Responsibilities

Support families in preparing for housing interviews or other meetings that impact their ability to obtain permanent housing
Assist families in responding to housing application rejections. Help request reasonable accommodations or appeals when appropriate
Gather and assemble related information and maintain appropriate records and files
Responsible for gathering and compiling data and preparing timely periodic reports, as required by funders and collaborative partners
Maintain thorough and concise case notes
Attend and participate in weekly case management meetings
Provide field-based work for families that may involve various community programs and locations
Respond to the needs of families, including emergency situations -food, health, income, transportation, etc.
Link families with interim or bridge housing resources as desired and available
Connect families with appropriate resources and referrals for mental health, housing, substance recovery, physical health care, educational programs, financial assistance, employment, housing advocacy, socialization activities and other services
Cultivate new and ongoing relationships with private property owners and other affordable permanent housing opportunities (e.g. nonprofit housing developers, etc.)
Develop rapport and build an ongoing relationship with families via regular and consistent contact
Establish communication links with and for families - phone/cell phone, mailing address, e-mail, meeting locations, social support contacts
Help families link with clinical care management and other service resources as needed and desired
Provide psychological/emotional preparation and support for families around obtaining housing - realistic expectations of wait times, affordable housing options, benefits and challenges of living with others, remaining hopeful, addressing fears/ambivalence of being housed, addressing unhealthy coping skills/street behavior that could disrupt housing, tenant obligations, and dealing with conflict resolution as needed
Assess and begin to address client housing histories and barriers - positive references, credit history, rental history and prior evictions, criminal history, registered sex offender status, outstanding debts, outstanding warrants
Use housing history to inform preparation work, complete early to avoid surprises
Get to know members or potential members of the family's household including pets and companion animals
Assess potential to connect client with family/friends in stable housing
Assess eligibility for permanent housing resources - deposit/move-in financial assistance, rapid rehousing, affordable housing, and permanent supportive housing
Assess the client's financial and resource situation and potential budget for housing - help with income and benefits acquisition, develop plan to help fund move-in costs
Help families create tenant resumes - key information to use on housing applications
Help families identify and pursue other potential housing opportunities besides permanent supportive and affordable housing.
Help families tour neighborhoods and properties- address rejections as part of reality testing- "at least look at the place, you don't have to take it"; provide options and discuss trade-offs
Help families complete and submit required housing applications and other materials, including housing navigator and/or other support person(s) on applications as a contact. Include release of information. Include advocacy/support letters with initial application
Help families' complete housing program or site specific paperwork to obtain particular units or subsidies
Assist families with obtaining the resources necessary to apply for and move-in to housing (application fees, security deposits, first month rent, moving service, furnishings, bedding, etc.)
Complete unit inspection and document any damage or issues prior to move-in
Review key elements of rental agreement and expectations to ensure understanding. Review any subsidy agreement as well, if needed
Establish utilities for the housing unit
Apply for low-income assistance utility programs
Assist with obtaining furniture, fixtures, and other move-in needs
Update address with key agencies and contacts including the post office, health insurance, public benefits, and service providers
Establish method for ensuring rent payments are made on time
Develop a housing crisis response plan outlining plans if challenges arise that may jeopardize housing stability including key emergency contacts for service and housingrelated issues. Possible housing challenges include - mental health/substance use relapse, health and cognitive issues such as, non-payment of rent, conflicts with neighbors or landlord, unauthorized guests, hoarding/cluttering, smoking and fire hazards, plumbing/flooding issues
Transition ongoing supports to appropriate service providers and natural supports
Review ability of families to manage activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)
Utilize information and Housing Specialist(s) to find property owners that will accept housing subsidies for families approved for voucher or tenant-based housing subsidy programs
Assist families with move-in to new unit and with transitioning support to permanent supportive housing service provider(s) and/or other resources
Help address any challenges with independent living. Consider need for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
Support IHSS application and worker selection process if needed. Help develop skills relevant to living with others in residential community- conflict resolution, communication skills, raising concerns with neighbors and landlords, etc.
Assist with helping individuals create a sense of home - personalization, inviting guests, a rt work, etc.
Promote a positive environment by modeling a positive, professional demeanor at all times, including treating each community member with dignity and respect
Follows all guidelines presented in the Family Matters Policies and Procedure Manual
Maintain confidentiality regarding families and staff members
Conduct business in accordance with the EOCP Employee Handbook, exercising sound judgment and serving the best interests of the agency and the community