Housing Navigator

The Whole Child Mental Health & Housing Services • Downey, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Housing Navigator assists families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in obtaining transitional housing and accessing needed community services. The role serves children from birth to age 18 and their families through a Community Based Scattered Site Model intended to promote family independence, minimize disruption, and support lasting housing outcomes. This field-based position provides services in clients’ homes, schools, and the community, as well as in an office setting. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; a hybrid schedule is available after 90 days.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or another mental-health-related discipline.
• At least four years of work experience related to Housing Navigation or providing rehabilitative services in a mental health setting.
• Valid California driver’s license and valid auto insurance.
• Personal motor vehicle for frequent travel between offices, housing appointments, and community events.
• Ability to solve practical problems and handle situations with limited standardization.
• Ability to interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, and scheduled instructions.
• Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including occasionally transporting materials weighing up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive family needs assessments and connect families with resources such as health insurance, housing, and low-cost childcare through referrals and linkage.
• Provide individual and group rehabilitation services under applicable agency and government contracts.
• Complete and submit progress notes within 24 hours using the agency’s electronic health record system (HMIS).
• Guide and assist parents and caretakers in managing children’s behaviors and familial stressors.
• Help families identify internal and external resources addressing stressors related to homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse, and other challenges.
• Develop and provide rehabilitation services to improve, maintain, or restore daily functioning at home, school, and in the community, in accordance with treatment goals and in collaboration with the treatment team.
• Provide interagency and intra-agency consultation, communication, coordination, and referrals.
• Identify and communicate to therapists obstacles that prevent families from connecting with the program or referral services.
• Provide employment services, including resume-writing support and job-searching tips.
• Attend community meetings at the Housing Manager’s request to present housing services, referral processes, and eligibility criteria.
• Represent the agency at community resource fairs.
• Follow up with families to support successful placement and housing permanency for six months.

Benefits

• Free standard HMO health, dental, and vision plans offered to employees.
• 401(k) plan with a 4% employer match.
• Paid time off accruing to 15 days annually and increasing with seniority.
• 12 paid holidays annually.
• Paid office closure during the last week of the year.
• Bilingual stipend, if applicable.
• Hybrid schedule after 90 days.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level