Housing Navigator

Equitable Social Solutions•Mission Valley, CA

10d

About The Position

The Housing Navigator works with clients experiencing homelessness to help place them in immediate shelter, including hotels and motels, and to address barriers affecting their ability to obtain and retain housing and move 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, and determines appropriate services on a case-by-case basis. The Housing Navigator develops action and stabilization plans, provides and documents individual and group counseling and referral services, connects clients with specialized agencies or counseling, and helps resolve emergency problems and expedite needed services. The role also determines eligibility for supportive services, issues additional funds and necessities when needed, records expenditures and service issuances, and maintains required documents, records, and appointments. The position involves working with staff, agencies, employers, property owners and managers, mechanics, hotel and motel operators, and other providers. The Housing Navigator also conducts outreach and education with prospective property owners and managers to promote permanent housing opportunities for homeless individuals and families. The role requires clear communication, sound judgment, confidentiality, attention to detail, and the ability to manage a large workload within strict deadlines. 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.
Driver’s license with a good driving record.
Ability to travel throughout the County.
Ability to work with the homeless community and knowledge of County demographics.
Ability to apply regulations to daily duties, exercise attention to detail, and prioritize and complete a large volume of work within strict deadlines.
Ability to establish effective working relationships and exercise appropriate judgment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field.

Responsibilities

Communicate clearly and persuasively with staff, agencies, employers, property owners and managers, mechanics, hotel and motel operators, and other service providers on behalf of clients.
Present and explain information to groups.
Assess client needs and conduct sensitive, in-depth interviews.
Help clients experiencing homelessness obtain immediate shelter and address barriers to obtaining and retaining housing and achieving self-sufficiency.
Manage and process County and community referrals according to Tier One and Tier Two guidelines.
Maintain a revolving caseload and assess clients to determine appropriate levels of service.
Refer clients to 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.
Develop immediate solutions to emergency problems and expedite delivery of needed services.
Determine approval of supportive services according to 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 outreach and education to promote permanent housing opportunities for homeless individuals and families.
Maintain confidentiality of files and records and exercise appropriate judgment when answering questions or releasing information.
Perform other duties as assigned.