Housing Navigator

U.S.VETS

20d•$23 - $29

About The Position

The position of Housing Navigator reports directly to an assigned Program Coordinator at a U.S.VETS site. The Housing Navigator is responsible for assisting veterans and their families and other persons served in navigating the housing process up to obtaining permanent housing, often while coordinating with multiple agencies and support types including the HUD-VASH housing voucher. The Housing Navigator manages and motivates the clients through housing search, application, and lease negotiation. The Housing Navigator directly supports the HUD-VASH Social Workers/Case Management team with veteran housing support and maintains regular and extensive contact with the veteran’s care team. Specific duties may be established via a Housing Navigation program agreement between Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grantees and HUD-VASH which may include additional elements not listed here. FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social services/social work or a closely related field that would support the duties and qualifications of the position required
For Housing Navigators working with SSVF programs, a Bachelor’s degree is required
For Housing Navigators working with a Housing Navigation Program such as a County or other local program, a Bachelor’s degree is required or may be substituted equivalent experience if permitted by funding source and site management
Experience working with low income and/or homeless populations, preferably those in low-income subsidized housing arrangements and/or supportive housing programs
Proficient typing and computer skills, including Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook/Word/Excel)
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours to accommodate participants which may include evenings and/or weekends
Experience working in diverse settings with people across all socio-economic spectrums and a wide variety of roles - staff, residents, local agencies, contractors, lenders, etcetera
Professionalism: high level of integrity and strong ethical values show capacity to maintain highest standards of confidentiality with all records, including organizational and individual information
Strong oral/written communication and listening skills
Self-motivated, well-organized, and accountable for work time, deadlines, and agency resources
Quality control: demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness, monitors own work to ensure quality, and applies feedback to improve performance
Access to reliable personal transportation required, including a Valid driver’s license, must meet company insurance requirements and complete a provided driver training course

Responsibilities

Act as a liaison between U.S.VETS programs and the Veterans Administration (VA) and other partnering agencies, managing a caseload of clients needing support with their housing search
Work closely with HUD-VASH partners, attending case conferencing and collaborating with assigned VA Social Workers on veteran clients and their needs
Maintain case file of documents necessary for clients’ application to housing opportunities
Consider client needs for housing search of available housing inventory and consulting with landlords and property management offices to search inventory
Develops and maintains positive relationships with landlords, property managers and residential real estate specialists
Compiles client information, rental market information, and housing trends to provide data for reports and to guide decisions
Provides limited and short-term case management to clients and their families with the purpose of securing and maintaining permanent housing
Engage clients at various levels of the housing process
Meet with clients in person at least every other week. Conduct virtual meetings (phone call, online meeting) during off-weeks when not seeing a clients in person
Conduct outreach to engage clients to participate in housing navigation services with additional efforts for any non-participatory clients. Due diligence to find and engage clients includes calling collateral contacts, visiting the site or area they reside, visiting clinics or other service environments they frequent, bringing the client’s name to the local by-name list case conferencing and other coordinated entry system meetings to brainstorm how to find and engage the client
Assess for housing choice, tenant-screening barriers, and strengths
Assist clients to locate housing, view units (including transport clients to units in company vehicles or securing transportation), collect documents owners require, apply for units, and mitigate or overcome any tenant-screening barriers
Submit required housing documents to various agencies to advance housing process
Conduct landlord engagement and outreach in coordination with multiple agencies
Assist clients with’ accessing allowable incentives (landlord & clients), move-in costs, sign the lease and all moving logistics
Provide up to 1 month of housing stability case management to veteran client enrolled in HUD-VASH, who have moved to permanent housing, before transitioning fully to a HUDVASH point of contact for clinical care and ongoing/continued case management
Provide housing stability case management to clients as required for other programs
Support clients’’ basic needs (non-clinical care) and provide case management including setting up a housing stability plan and coordinating referrals for supportive services not offered by U.S.VETS
Provide linkages to VA and community-based services to pursue healthcare, public benefits, utility discounts, legal services, employment programs and other services to assist with housing search and stability
Perform other duties as assigned