YHDP HOUSING NAVIGATOR - SAWYER COUNTY

INDIANHEAD COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY•Hayward, WI

11d•$22 - $24

About The Position

The Housing Navigator serves as a primary point of contact for youth and young adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness who are referred to, contact, or are identified through outreach for the YHDP program. The position completes intake, eligibility screening, individualized assessments, and required documentation; supports participants in understanding housing options and making informed choices; and provides housing navigation through search, application, and placement. It also connects participants with community and mainstream resources and coordinates warm handoffs to YHDP case management staff when participants enter Transitional Housing or Rapid Re-Housing. The role builds relationships with landlords, property managers, housing authorities, community organizations, schools, county personnel, and service providers to expand housing opportunities and referral pathways. It conducts outreach and partner education, collaborates with the local homeless response system, participates in required meetings and trainings, and supports the goals of the YHDP Coordinated Community Plan. Services are delivered using youth-centered, strength-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and positive youth development practices, emphasizing participant choice, safety, empowerment, and individualized support. The Housing Navigator monitors participant progress and outcomes and maintains accurate, timely, confidential, audit-ready records, including data in HMIS and documentation required by HUD, YHDP, Coordinated Entry, funders, and the Agency. The position also prepares and tracks rental assistance payments, purchase orders, and other eligible participant payment requests; obtains supporting payment documentation; coordinates payment-related materials with landlords and property managers; and works with program and fiscal staff to support timely processing. Travel throughout the service area is required for outreach, participant meetings, housing searches, landlord engagement, and other job-related activities. The position has no supervisory responsibilities and performs other related duties as assigned by the Supportive Housing Coordinator.

Requirements

An associate or bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, psychology, sociology, community development, or a related field is preferred; relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
Experience in social services, housing, homelessness services, youth services, case management, resource navigation, or a related field is preferred.
Knowledge of community resources and programs serving low-income individuals and families is beneficial.
Knowledge of, or ability to learn, housing navigation, landlord engagement, Coordinated Entry, HMIS, HUD and Continuum of Care requirements, and community resource systems.
Ability to develop effective working relationships with youth, landlords, community partners, and service providers.
Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and respectfully and explain program and housing requirements in an understandable manner.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of participant and Agency information.
Ability to manage time and program resources, maintain organized records, submit accurate and timely reports, meet deadlines, and calculate figures and amounts or review basic housing and financial information.
Detail-oriented with the ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage time effectively.
Self-starter with a proactive attitude, sound judgment, problem-solving skills, flexibility, and the ability to respond appropriately to housing barriers, crisis situations, and changing participant needs.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment and independently with limited supervision.
Strong relationship-building, advocacy, organization, documentation, and computer skills.
Ability to engage youth using a non-judgmental, strengths-based approach and collaborate effectively with landlords and community systems.
Valid driver’s license and current vehicle insurance.
Complete and maintain required HUD, YHDP, Coordinated Entry, HMIS, and Agency training, as applicable to the position.
Ability to travel when required, cope with pressure and challenges, operate computers and other office equipment, and work irregular hours when needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience engaging youth and young adults, particularly those experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Practice or knowledge of trauma-informed care, Positive Youth Development, crisis response, and strengths-based practices.
Associate or bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, psychology, sociology, community development, or a related field.
Experience in social services, housing, homelessness services, youth services, case management, resource navigation, or a related field.
Knowledge of community resources and programs serving low-income individuals and families.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary contact for youth and young adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness who are referred to, contact, or are identified through YHDP outreach.
Complete intake applications, eligibility screening, individualized assessments, and required documentation; support Coordinated Entry participation and maintain required documentation in participant files.
Explain available housing options, including Transitional Housing and Rapid Re-Housing, and support participant choice based on eligibility, Coordinated Entry prioritization, individual needs, and unit availability.
Provide housing navigation, including identifying barriers, developing strategies, locating housing opportunities, assisting with applications and documentation, and supporting the housing search and placement process.
Build and maintain relationships with landlords, property managers, housing authorities, community organizations, schools, county personnel, and other housing and service providers.
Communicate with landlords and property managers to support placements and address tenancy barriers while maintaining participant confidentiality and choice.
Connect participants to eligible mainstream and community resources, including education, employment, health and behavioral health care, substance use services, economic support, childcare, and transportation.
Coordinate warm handoffs to YHDP case management staff when participants enter Transitional Housing or Rapid Re-Housing, and collaborate to support service continuity and long-term housing stability.
Deliver services using youth-centered, strength-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and positive youth development practices.
Monitor and document participant contacts, housing search activities, referrals, progress, outcomes, and grant performance measures.
Enter accurate and timely participant and service data into HMIS and maintain records in accordance with applicable HUD, Continuum of Care, HMIS, and Agency requirements.
Maintain complete, accurate, confidential, and audit-ready participant files and documentation in accordance with HUD, YHDP, Coordinated Entry, state and federal, funder, and Agency requirements.
Conduct outreach and educate community partners about YHDP, eligibility, referral pathways, youth homelessness, housing, and supportive services.
Participate in required YHDP, Continuum of Care, Coordinated Entry, HMIS, housing and landlord, grant-related meetings, and trainings.
Collaborate with community partners and the local homeless response system to identify gaps and barriers affecting youth access to housing and services, and communicate identified needs to program leadership.
Support the goals of the YHDP Coordinated Community Plan: Stable Housing, Permanent Connections, Education and Employment, and Social-Emotional Well-Being.
Understand and explain program guidelines, eligibility requirements, allowable services, and requirements established by HUD, the Continuum of Care, and other funding sources.
Travel throughout the service area for outreach, participant meetings, housing searches, landlord engagement, unit-related activities, and other job-related responsibilities.
Prepare and enter rental assistance payments into the appropriate database or payment system for review and approval.
Prepare, enter, and track purchase orders and other program-related payment requests for eligible participant expenses.
Obtain and maintain supporting documentation for rental assistance, security deposits, utilities, and other eligible housing-related costs.
Coordinate with landlords and property managers to obtain leases, W-9s, payment information, invoices, and other documentation needed to process housing-related payments.
Review payment requests for completeness and required eligibility and supporting documentation before submission for approval.
Track pending housing-related payments and coordinate with program and fiscal staff to support timely processing.
Maintain accurate participant financial documentation for grant monitoring, reporting, and audits.
Attend relevant community meetings, committees, outreach events, and training sessions.
Research housing resources, rental opportunities, community resources, eligibility requirements, and information that supports program participants.
Perform other reasonable related tasks as requested by the Supportive Housing Coordinator.