Housing Navigator Los Angeles Area

Blehealth•Los Angeles, CA

12h

About The Position

The Housing Navigator provides diversion, housing-focused case management, community referrals, housing placement, and connections to appropriate destinations for continued services. The role works with Members and housing agencies to identify and secure permanent, independent housing, including supportive housing, and may engage Members in accessible settings such as a mobile unit on the street. The Navigator assesses housing needs, history, preferences, and barriers; develops individualized housing and support plans with measurable goals; searches for housing; assists with applications and documentation; and connects Members with rental subsidies and resources for deposits, moving costs, and other expenses. The role also supports reasonable accommodation requests, landlord engagement, move coordination, and non-medical transportation related to housing access and transition. To promote housing stability, the Navigator identifies and addresses tenancy risks, educates tenants and landlords about their rights and responsibilities, supports lease compliance and recertification, helps resolve disputes, and coordinates with landlords and case management providers. The position also conducts health and safety visits, provides independent-living and life-skills support such as budgeting assistance, and carries out prevention and early-intervention services identified in crisis plans.

Requirements

Paraprofessional qualification based on experience and knowledge of the population and processes, or another qualification based on relevant experience and knowledge.
At least two years of experience as a paraprofessional, or an associate degree in a social service field, LCSW, or MSW.
Ability to work independently and strong time-management skills, including managing time with an online or paper calendar.
Knowledge of and familiarity with harm reduction and motivational interviewing concepts and strategies.
Computer literacy, including working knowledge of Word, Excel, and Outlook and familiarity with internet-based tools.
Strong interpersonal skills, cultural competence, and sensitivity in building rapport with Members.
Creative problem-solving skills and strong written and oral communication skills.
Ability to work both as part of a team and independently.
Vehicle, valid California driver's license, and legally required California minimum insurance; driving is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals and/or families experiencing homelessness and case management or similar work experience.
Experience assessing and referring individuals to community resources.
Bilingual Spanish/English.

Responsibilities

Build relationships with housing agencies and permanent housing providers, including supportive housing providers.
Partner with housing providers to offer Members permanent, independent housing options and help Members access available housing.
Coordinate with Members in accessible settings consistent with MCP guidelines, potentially including mobile street outreach.
Conduct or review intake and assessments of housing needs, housing history, and support needs.
Develop and implement individualized housing opportunity and housing support plans with Members, including measurable short- and long-term goals and approaches to addressing barriers.
Assess tenant preferences, potential transition barriers, and housing retention barriers.
Search for housing and present options; assist with housing applications and gathering required documentation.
Support benefits advocacy, including obtaining identification and SSI eligibility documentation and assisting with the SSI application process.
Identify rental subsidies and other resources, including HUD Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and state and local assistance programs, and match resources to Members.
Secure resources for deposits, moving costs, adaptive aids, environmental modifications, and other one-time expenses.
Assist with reasonable accommodation requests.
Educate and engage landlords, advocate with landlords on Members' behalf, and ensure the living environment is safe and ready for move-in.
Arrange and support move details and coordinate non-medical transportation to improve access to housing options and support move-in.
Identify and intervene early on behaviors or circumstances that may jeopardize housing, such as late rent, hoarding, substance use, or other lease violations.
Educate and train Members on tenant and landlord roles, rights, and responsibilities, and coach Members on maintaining relationships with landlords and property managers.
Coordinate with landlords and case management providers to address issues affecting housing stability.
Help resolve disputes with landlords or neighbors, reduce eviction risk, and develop repayment plans or identify funding for back rent or unit damage.
Provide advocacy and linkage to community resources to prevent eviction or other adverse housing actions.
Assist with annual housing recertification.
Regularly review and update housing support and crisis plans with tenants to reflect current needs and address ongoing or recurring barriers.
Support lease compliance and household management activities.
Conduct health and safety visits, including unit habitability inspections.
Perform prevention and early-intervention services identified in crisis plans when housing is jeopardized.
Provide independent-living and life-skills support, including budgeting, financial literacy, and connection to community resources.
Perform other related duties as assigned.