Housing Navigator

Redwood Community Services•Ukiah, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

RCS is seeking a self-motivated experienced Housing Navigator to join our Integrated Health team. As a Housing Navigator, you would work directly with individuals experiencing homelessness who need support as they seek stable housing. The people you would be serving are shelter guests, people living on the street, people who are housed and need ongoing support to maintain their housing, and other people who have or are experiencing a housing crisis. This is a full-time position working independently and in a team. You would assist individuals and families with acquiring safe and stable housing, assessing their barriers to housing and identifying ways to work with those barriers. You would recruit and develop relationships with landlords who provide housing opportunities to our participants. You would work collaboratively with other service providers and agencies to improve access to housing and other resources necessary to acquire and sustain housing. This position requires critical thinking and analysis through a racial equity lens, as well as demonstration of compassion, understanding, and empathy while working with diverse staff, guests, and community partners.

Requirements

Must have basic knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).
Must be able to provide written verification of experience and education upon hire.
Care Manager II – At least two (2) years of full-time experience in the social work field providing direct services.
Care Manager III - At least four (4) years of full-time experience in the social work field providing direct services.
Two (2) years driving experience and ability to drive and use personal vehicle for work (including transporting clients) required; must show evidence of current CA driver’s license, appropriate insurance, and vehicle safety inspection.
Must be willing to work occasional shifts on a weekend day for special events.
Must be willing to occasionally work on the floor at B2 to support the guests utilizing the shelter and day resources.
Employees must use a personal vehicle that meet all agency requirements, including maintaining liability insurance that meets or exceeds state requirements.
Employees are responsible for ensuring the timely renewal of their vehicle insurance policies and providing updated documentation to the agency to remain in good standing and compliant with position requirements.

Nice To Haves

Candidates with lived/personal experience with homelessness, mental illness, substance use disorder, and/or other challenges experienced by the people served.
Experience/knowledge of real estate, property management, landlord engagement, and fair housing laws.
Experience working in harm reduction, Housing First, trauma-informed, low barrier service environments.
Experience with documenting services and activities, data management, and homeless management information systems preferred.
Training in harm reduction, Housing First, trauma-informed, low barrier service models.

Responsibilities

Assist clients with creating and following through with a housing stabilization plan that identifies what their housing goals are, their resources, supports, challenges, action steps, possible budget, and other elements to aid them with acquiring and maintaining housing.
Identify and secure affordable rental properties with property owners and housing developers). This includes screening units for appropriateness, developing rental agreements with property managers, visiting prospective rental units with participants, and overseeing the execution of all signed leasing materials.
Refer and link clients to the appropriate services and resources to help them address barriers to housing.
Collaborate with participant’s team to support their housing placement and retention, including assisting participants and landlords with mediating and resolving conflicts.