Housing Navigator

LIFELONG HEALTH FOR ALL•Seattle, WA

2d•$23 - $36•Onsite

About The Position

The Housing Navigator provides community-based supportive services to individuals experiencing, or recently experiencing, homelessness who are living in private-market or scattered-site housing. The role maintains a caseload of participants receiving KCRHA housing assistance and provides active outreach to people who are not yet stabilized, as well as housing-retention support for participants who have recently been housed. Services are delivered at scattered sites, community locations, other non-congregate settings, and other locations throughout King County as requested. Participants may have histories of chronic homelessness and co-occurring mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and chronic illness. The position applies Housing First and harm reduction principles within a trauma-informed framework to provide low-barrier, participant-centered support, collaborating with participants, property managers, service providers, and community partners to promote long-term housing success and self-sufficiency. This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt, union position that is 100% on-site and in the field throughout King County. Standard business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The role requires regular travel between locations and frequent driving throughout King County, with occasional schedule adjustments based on participant needs or program requirements. Mileage is reimbursed according to organizational policy. The position requires a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, public health, or a related social services field, plus specified direct-service and population-specific experience; an equivalent combination of related education and work experience will be considered. Lived experience with homelessness, housing instability, or related systems is valued. Lifelong is a community health organization working to make health and food accessible and address health inequities through services including food and nutrition, healthcare navigation, aging and disability support, and connection to housing and other resources.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, public health, or a related social services field, or an equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
Two years of experience in direct social services or advocacy work, including assessing client needs and/or determining benefit eligibility.
Two years of demonstrated experience working with marginalized populations, including people with histories of chronic homelessness, active or past substance use, and ongoing mental health instability.
Valid Washington State driver's license, current automobile insurance, and reliable access to a personal vehicle for regular travel throughout King County.
Working understanding of Housing First and harm reduction principles applied within a trauma-informed framework.
Ability to organize and prioritize concurrent responsibilities and meet deadlines in a time-sensitive environment.
Detail orientation and accuracy in documentation and case-management tasks.
Flexibility and adaptability, including the ability to respond quickly to changing participant needs and program demands.
Ability to work effectively under stressful conditions and use crisis-management and de-escalation skills.
Clear, professional verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with participants, internal staff, external providers, and partner agencies.
Understanding of professional boundaries in direct-service settings.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Access, and ability to use technology to organize information, produce reports, track data, and improve workflow efficiency.
Experience with electronic case notes, document collection and storage, and case-management databases.
Ability to pass a criminal background check; positions involving in-person client work require a TB test within 30 days of starting employment and annually, or as required by the program.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with the King County Continuum of Care, coordinated entry, and KCRHA-funded housing programs.
Experience working with individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
HMIS experience.
Lived experience with homelessness, housing instability, or related systems.

Responsibilities

Conduct regular visits to clients in private-market housing and build rapport with people who may be resistant to services or have had negative experiences with service systems.
Complete initial needs assessments covering housing history, health status, benefit eligibility, and barriers to housing stability.
Complete coordinated-entry assessments, such as VI-SPDAT or a successor tool, in accordance with King County Continuum of Care standards and KCRHA program requirements.
Maintain an active caseload of participants receiving KCRHA housing assistance and provide contact at a frequency appropriate to participant acuity.
Develop individualized housing-stability plans with participants that incorporate their goals and needs.
Assist participants with housing applications, landlord communication, lease renewals, and tenancy stabilization.
Address issues that could jeopardize housing, including lease violations, neighbor conflicts, and loss of income or benefits.
Work with property management to support successful tenancy, resolve concerns, and advocate for participants.
Assess participant needs across housing, health, financial stability, employment, and overall wellbeing; develop and update goal-oriented service plans.
Coordinate access to behavioral health services, medical care, benefit enrollment, employment supports, legal aid, and other community resources.
Help participants navigate public systems, including DSHS, the Social Security Administration, Medicaid/Apple Health, and other entitlement programs.
Advocate for participants with landlords, service systems, and community partners.
Provide timely crisis intervention, coordinate with behavioral health, medical, and emergency-response partners as needed, and respond to urgent needs using de-escalation skills and professional judgment.
Maintain timely and accurate case notes and service records in HMIS and other required electronic case-management platforms.
Complete program documentation in accordance with KCRHA, funder, and organizational standards, and comply with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and other applicable regulations.
Participate in case conferencing, team meetings, and coordinated-entry processes.
Maintain working relationships with community providers, partner agencies, and internal Lifelong teams to coordinate services.
Represent Lifelong at interagency meetings, coalitions, and community tables as assigned.
Travel regularly between locations and worksites throughout King County to support participants, partners, and team members.