Housing Navigator

Equus•San Diego, CA

2d•$27 - $28

About The Position

The Housing Navigator works with clients experiencing homelessness to secure immediate shelter, including hotel and motel placements, and helps them overcome barriers to obtaining and retaining housing while moving toward self-sufficiency. The role manages referrals from County and community sources according to Tier One and Tier Two guidelines, maintains a revolving caseload, assesses clients’ needs, and determines appropriate service levels. It also develops action and stabilization plans, connects clients with specialized services, provides and documents counseling and referrals, and helps address emergencies and expedite needed services. The position provides supportive services, including issuing funds and necessities as needed, determining eligibility for supportive services based on criteria, and documenting expenditures, payments, and service issuances. The Housing Navigator maintains records and confidentiality, processes documents and appointments, uses data systems, and builds working relationships with staff, agencies, employers, property owners and managers, mechanics, hotel and motel operators, and other service providers. The role also conducts community outreach and education to promote permanent housing opportunities for homeless individuals and families. Travel throughout the County is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field preferred, or equivalent skills and experience.
Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office, email, and data entry.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Valid driver’s license with a good driving record.
Ability to travel throughout the County.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field.

Responsibilities

Communicate clearly and persuasively, verbally and in writing, including presenting and explaining information to groups.
Establish effective working relationships with staff, agencies, employers, property owners and managers, mechanics, hotel and motel operators, and other service providers.
Use appropriate judgment when answering questions or releasing information, consider the consequences of decisions and recommendations, and maintain confidentiality of files and records.
Assess client needs and conduct sensitive, in-depth interviews.
Apply regulations to daily duties and exercise attention to detail.
Organize, prioritize, and complete a large volume of work within strict deadlines.
Help clients experiencing homelessness obtain immediate shelter, including hotel or motel placement, and address barriers to obtaining and retaining housing and moving toward self-sufficiency.
Manage and process referrals from County and community sources in accordance with Tier One and Tier Two guidelines.
Manage and maintain a revolving caseload and assess clients to determine appropriate service levels on a case-by-case basis.
Refer clients to appropriate agencies for specialized services or counseling.
Develop action and stabilization plans with clients.
Consult with staff, agencies, employers, property owners and managers, mechanics, hotel and motel operators, and other service providers.
Provide and document individual and group counseling and referral services.
Help develop immediate solutions to emergency problems and expedite delivery of needed services.
Determine approval of supportive services based on established criteria.
Use data processing systems; complete documents and forms; maintain records and files; and schedule appointments.
Provide supportive services and issue additional funds and necessities to clients as needed.
Document all client expenditures, payments, and service issuances.
Work with prospective property owners and managers through community outreach and education to promote permanent housing opportunities for homeless individuals and families.
Perform other duties as assigned.