YHDP HOUSING NAVIGATOR

INDIANHEAD COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY•Ladysmith, WI

9d•$22 - $24•Hybrid

About The Position

The Housing Navigator serves as the 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. This role involves completing intake applications, eligibility screening, individualized assessments, and required documentation, while supporting entry into Coordinated Entry and ensuring its documentation is maintained. The Housing Navigator assists youth in understanding available housing options, including Transitional Housing and Rapid Re-Housing, and supports participant choice based on eligibility, prioritization, individual needs, and unit availability. They provide comprehensive housing navigation services, identify and address housing barriers, locate appropriate housing, assist with applications, and support youth through the housing search and placement process. Additionally, the role involves developing and maintaining professional relationships with landlords, property managers, housing authorities, community organizations, and other service providers to expand housing opportunities and referral pathways. The Housing Navigator connects participants to mainstream and community resources, coordinates with YHDP case management staff for continuity of services, and provides services using youth-centered, strength-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and positive youth development practices. Monitoring and documenting participant progress, entering data into HMIS, and maintaining participant files are key responsibilities. The role also includes conducting outreach, educating community partners about YHDP, collaborating to identify gaps and barriers, and supporting the goals of the YHDP Coordinated Community Plan. The Housing Navigator must understand and articulate program guidelines and requirements from HUD, the Continuum of Care, and other funding sources. Responsibilities also extend to preparing and entering rental assistance payments, tracking purchase orders, obtaining supporting documentation for housing costs, and coordinating with landlords for necessary paperwork. Maintaining accurate financial documentation for grant monitoring and audits is also required.

Requirements

Associate or bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, psychology, sociology, community development, or a related field preferred; relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
Experience working 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 the ability to learn housing navigation, landlord engagement, Coordinated Entry, HMIS, HUD/Continuum of Care requirements, and community resource systems.
Experience engaging youth and young adults, particularly those experiencing homelessness or housing instability, is preferred.
Practice of trauma-informed care, Positive Youth Development, crisis response, and strengths-based practices is beneficial.
Ability to develop effective working relationships with youth, landlords, community partners, and service providers is required.
Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with youth, landlords, service providers, community partners, and coworkers.
Ability to explain program and housing requirements in an understandable manner.
Maintains confidentiality of all participants and Agency information.
Manages time and program resources effectively, maintains organized records, submits reports accurately and on time, and completes work by established deadlines.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts and review basic housing and financial information as required by the position.
Detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time effectively.
Self-starter with a proactive attitude who can anticipate participant and program needs.
Demonstrates sound judgment, problem-solving skills, flexibility, and the ability to respond appropriately to housing barriers, crisis situations, and changing participant needs.
Ability to work in a team-oriented, collaborative environment and independently with limited supervision.
Strong relationship-building, advocacy, organization, documentation, and computer skills are required.
Ability to engage youth using a non-judgmental, strengths-based approach and to collaborate effectively with landlords and community systems.
Valid driver’s license with current vehicle insurance.
Required HUD, YHDP, Coordinated Entry, HMIS, and Agency training must be completed and maintained as applicable to the position.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, psychology, sociology, community development, or a related field.
Experience working 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.
Knowledge of or the ability to learn housing navigation, landlord engagement, Coordinated Entry, HMIS, HUD/Continuum of Care requirements, and community resource systems.
Experience engaging youth and young adults, particularly those experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Practice of trauma-informed care, Positive Youth Development, crisis response, and strengths-based practices.

Responsibilities

Act 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.
Complete intake applications, eligibility screening, individualized assessments, and required documentation; support entry into Coordinated Entry and ensure required Coordinated Entry documentation is maintained in the participant file.
Assist youth in understanding 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 services, including identifying housing barriers, developing strategies to address barriers, locating appropriate housing opportunities, assisting with housing applications and required documentation, and supporting youth through the housing search and placement process.
Develop and maintain professional relationships with landlords, property managers, housing authorities, community organizations, schools, county personnel, and other housing and service providers to expand housing opportunities and strengthen referral pathways for youth.
Communicate with landlords and property managers as appropriate to support housing placement, address barriers, and help resolve issues that may interfere with successful tenancy while maintaining participant confidentiality and choice.
Connect participants to mainstream and community resources for which they may be eligible, including education, employment/workforce development, health and behavioral health care, substance use services, economic support, childcare, transportation, and other supportive services.
Coordinate warm handoffs to YHDP case management staff when participants enter Transitional Housing or Rapid Re-Housing and collaborate with the case management team to support continuity of services and long-term housing stability.
Provide services using youth-centered, strength-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and positive youth development practices, with an emphasis on participant choice, safety, empowerment, and individualized support.
Monitor and document participant contacts, housing search activities, referrals, progress, outcomes, and other performance measures required by the grant.
Enter accurate and timely participant and service data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and maintain records in accordance with 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/Federal, funder, and Agency requirements.
Conduct outreach and educate community partners about YHDP, program eligibility, referral pathways, youth homelessness, and available housing and supportive services.
Participate in required YHDP, Continuum of Care, Coordinated Entry, HMIS, housing/landlord, and other 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, including Stable Housing, Permanent Connections, Education and Employment, and Social-Emotional Well-Being.
Understand and articulate program guidelines, eligibility requirements, allowable services, and requirements established by HUD, the Continuum of Care, and other funding sources.
Ability to 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 in accordance with YHDP, HUD, and Agency requirements.
Prepare, enter, and track purchase orders and other program-related payment requests for eligible participant expenses.
Obtain and maintain required 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 necessary to process housing-related payments.
Review payment requests for completeness and ensure required eligibility and supporting documentation is present prior to submission for approval.
Track pending housing-related payments and coordinate with appropriate program and fiscal staff to support timely processing.
Maintain accurate participant financial documentation and records for grant monitoring, reporting, and audit purposes.
Attend appropriate community meetings, committees, outreach events, and training sessions related to youth homelessness, housing, and grant funding.
Assist with researching housing resources, rental opportunities, community resources, eligibility requirements, and information needed to support program participants.
Perform other reasonable related tasks as requested by the Supportive Housing Coordinator.