Housing Navigator

Trinity Health•Ann Arbor, MI

About The Position

The Washtenaw Housing Alliance (WHA) is seeking a full-time employee to serve as a Housing Navigator as part of the WHA’s landlord outreach and engagement team. The Housing Navigator will work under the direction of WHA’s Community Housing Locator to provide landlord recruitment, outreach, and education services; manage a database/software platform for landlord engagement and housing search assistance; compile data and create reports to identify and highlight landlord outreach opportunities; assist clients through housing search and permanent housing lease-up processes; and, provide follow-up services to landlords and tenants to ensure successful housing retention. The position works in partnership with the WHA’s Community Housing Locator to expand housing opportunities for housing program participants and works closely with WHA member agencies’ staff and Washtenaw County Continuum of Care partners, such as Housing Specialists and Case Managers, responsible for landlord relations in helping clients obtain permanent housing. The position will also work closely with WHA’s committees, including but not limited to the Landlord Advisory Group and Housing Coordinators Network, to manage landlord outreach and engagement activities. It is essential that this individual works well independently and as a member of a small team in a fast-paced environment. Housing navigation is an important aspect of every community’s homeless response system and has been hailed as a best practice model in homeless services. These services are increasingly important as WHA and our partners strive to reduce emergency shelter stays and successfully re-house households experiencing homelessness as quickly as possible in Washtenaw County, MI. WHA’s centralized landlord outreach and engagement team seeks to be a bridge between homeless or at-risk households who may have barriers to housing, homeless response system staff, and landlords or property owners with available units in the private landlord market.

Requirements

A degree in social work, or similar human services-related field, and/or at least three (3) years broad-based work experience in housing, homeless services, property management, and/or community development
Prior experience working in settings with low-income individuals and families and people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Experience with different technologies including Microsoft Office Suite; Google; Video conferencing; Email; and, Data management tools
Experience with data entry accuracy and reporting
Demonstrated capacity to exercise discretion and sound judgment in general matters and in handling confidential information
Strong personal commitment to prevent and end homelessness
Knowledge and adherence to “Housing First” principles and strategies for ending homelessness
Ability to work independently, with initiative and resourcefulness
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners and groups

Nice To Haves

Lived experience of homelessness, housing insecurity, and/or justice-involvement will be valued alongside professional credentials

Responsibilities

Provide landlord recruitment, outreach, and education services
Manage a database/software platform for landlord engagement and housing search assistance
Compile data and create reports to identify and highlight landlord outreach opportunities
Assist clients through housing search and permanent housing lease-up processes
Provide follow-up services to landlords and tenants to ensure successful housing retention
Guide housing program participants through complex housing search and lease-up processes, including: Provide support with housing search; Assist participants with filling out housing applications; Help participants secure move-in assistance; Accompany participants to lease signings; and, Assist participants with obtaining essential household items once housed.
Provide renter education and/or trainings to housing program participants
Assist with researching the rental market to identify prospective landlords for housing programs and generate leads for outreach and recruitment
Recruit landlords whose tenant screening criteria will provide opportunities for applicants with criminal backgrounds, including those with felony convictions, as well as those with eviction histories or no rental histories
Market permanent housing programs, including incentives, to prospective landlords and property managers
Assist with updating and maintaining a specialized database/software system with landlord and unit information, including: Review and update information in the system to ensure accuracy and timeliness of data; Assist with user management, approval of property managers, landlords, and property related information; Provide support and training for landlord users; Perform data entry for tracking of housing search assistance services; Input and track data as assigned to assist management oversight of the database
Work with the Washtenaw Housing Alliance’s Landlord Advisory Group and Housing Coordinators Network to support effective landlord engagement strategies and to update and maintain a housing inventory database
Conduct educational workshops to support property owners and other community stakeholders on a variety of topics, including on a variety of programs benefits and opportunities to increase awareness of programs that provide affordable permanent and/or supportive housing
Perform other duties as required by the position