Housing Navigator - STOP (100% Onsite - Los Angeles)

Amity Foundation•Los Angeles, CA

41d•$60,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

Amity Foundation is seeking compassionate and enthusiastic individuals with a desire to teach, learn and join our community as a Housing Navigator. This groundbreaking opportunity will allow you to work with our prison and re-entry programs helping the community and will also enhance your training and experience in the field. Amity Foundation is a safe place where people can change in an environment that fosters trust; where new values can be formed; responsibility developed, and lasting relationships built. Amity is dedicated to the inclusion and habilitation of people marginalized by addiction, homelessness, trauma, criminality, incarceration, poverty, racism, sexism, and violence. Amity is committed to research, development implementation, and dissemination of information regarding community building. Remembrance, Resolution, Reconciliation, Restoration, Renewal. The Housing Navigator facilitates successful reentry into the community by ensuring participants have access to safe, affordable housing after incarceration. This position may be inadvertently updated based on changing State contractual requirements.

Requirements

Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree from a granting institution accredited by the Western Association of Schools (WASC), or equivalent AND a minimum of one (1) year of experience in a similar position; OR A minimum of two (2) years of experience in a similar position.
Experience working with individuals who are chronically homeless and/or those at risk of becoming homeless.
Valid Driver’s License and Auto Insurance.
Understanding of causes, symptoms, and effects of substance abuse.
Knowledge of Public Housing Authority and Housing subsidy is ideal (i.e. Housing Choice Vouchers, Shelter Plus Care, Veteran’s Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), permanent supportive housing, affordable and market rate housing, and other housing opportunities).
Knowledge of local housing market and community resources.
Knowledge of subsidized housing and low-income utility assistance processes.
Knowledge of contractual requirements of Housing Navigator functions is essential.
Recognition of the importance of individual differences created by personalities, cultures, lifestyles, social networks, and other factors that influence behavior; demonstrate the ability to apply this knowledge to participant attitudes towards acquisition and maintenance of long-term housing.
Ability to integrate and align housing opportunities with participant interest, proximity to job and essential community resources.
Ability to work co-operatively with network of landlords and community resource providers.
Excellent interpersonal and communications skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in the community and within the organization.
Ability to work with minimal supervision.
Ensure that excellence and integrity are applied to professional responsibilities to provide optimal services to participants.
Understand and appropriately apply Amity policies and procedures and adhere to agencywide practices and regulations.
Protect program participants’ health, safety, welfare, and confidentiality of records and participant information.
As an interface between potential landlords, community resources, and participants, an attitude of appropriate advocacy for participants is essential.
Model professionalism, effective work habits and responsible living.
Within 90 days of hire, personnel file shall document evidence of participation in the following training: Employee Orientation, CPR Certification, First Aid Certification (within 6 weeks of hire, and renewed prior to expiration thereafter), Tuberculosis (TB) test (annual), Motivational Interviewing, Sexual Harassment Prevention, Emergency Procedures, Confidentiality (Title 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 2), Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (Title 45 CFR Part 164), Signed acknowledgement of Drug Free Workplace policy, Signed CDCR Prison Rape Elimination Policy (PREA) form.
Participate in forty (40) hours of applicable orientation training within the first year of employment, and forty (40) hours annually thereafter. Training topics will be consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the position and applicable to the function of the STOP Placement Office.
Participate in other training as assigned.
This position shall go through the Provisional and Security Clearance Processes defined by California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), including Background Security Clearance Application and Live Scan;
Must receive and maintain security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual, fluent Spanish/English oral and written skills are highly desirable.
As a TACPA Worksite, priority consideration is given to qualified individuals as specified in GC 4530.
Priority consideration is given to recipients of aid under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 11200.
None

Responsibilities

Assist clients with housing applications, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, survey rental market for affordable housing, and advocate for clients with prospective landlords.
Provide individualized client support by assessing housing needs, helping to develop discharge plans that address their barriers and connecting participants to permanent housing options.
Conduct outreach in the community routinely including daily, weekly, monthly; and participate in community events throughout the program area to establish access to housing options.
Work to recruit landlords and establish working relationships for the benefit of clientele.
Work with individuals who are chronically homeless and/or those at risk of becoming homeless.
Utilize knowledge of Public Housing Authority and Housing subsidy (i.e., Housing Choice Vouchers, Shelter Plus Care, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), permanent supportive housing, affordable and market rate housing, and other housing opportunities).
Assess housing and personal history information (housing history, evictions, income, credit history, debts, etc.).
Assist clients with completing applications, or other documentation support.
Advocate on behalf of clients to landlords or potential landlords.
Align housing resources and client needs.
Develop relationships with landlords; identify affordable and supporting housing owners.
Navigate subsidized housing programs, appeal process, and resources.
Accompany clients when they are conducting housing searches.
Assist clients in acquisition of furniture and/or appliances.
Identify affordable grocers, food banks, transportation, social service agencies and other resources in housing areas.
Assist in conflict resolution with landlords, employer, neighbors, and associates.
Crisis planning due to relapse or financial problems.
Performs other related duties as assigned.