Rent Assistance Specialist

Native American Youth And Family Center•Portland, OR

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

NAYA Family Center is seeking an organized, compassionate, and community-centered Rent Assistance Specialist to join our our shelter, Auntie's Place. This role supports individuals and families working toward housing stability by providing culturally responsive rental assistance, housing advocacy, resource navigation, and ongoing support. As a Rent Assistance Specialist, you'll work directly with participants to understand their needs, identify barriers to stable housing, and develop individualized plans that build on their strengths. You'll also manage the rental assistance process from application and eligibility determination through payment, documentation, and reporting.

Requirements

Knowledge of Native American history and understanding of the diversity of local American Indian/Alaska Native communities and issues surrounding the Urban Indian experience.
Belief that stable housing is foundational to individual and family well-being and enjoyment in helping people identify practical paths toward greater stability.
Understanding of the complex factors that can contribute to homelessness and housing instability and approach participants through a trauma-informed, strengths-based lens.
Knowledge of local community resources, emergency services, and social service systems supporting low-income and BIPOC communities.
Comfort building relationships with participants, landlords, property managers, service providers, and community partners.
Effective communication skills across different relationships.
Highly organized and able to manage multiple funding sources, applications, documentation requirements, and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
Composed and able to use sound judgment when working with participants experiencing stressful or challenging circumstances.
Comfort balancing direct service with administrative responsibilities, including eligibility verification, documentation, data entry, payment processing, and reporting.
Enjoyment of collaborating across teams and ability to identify opportunities to improve workflows, referral processes, and the participant experience.
Proficiency with standard computer applications, including Microsoft Excel, word processing, email, web-based research, and database systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting individuals or families experiencing homelessness or housing instability is preferred.
Experience working with urban or reservation Native American communities is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Help individuals and families work toward housing stability by developing individualized housing plans, identifying barriers, and connecting participants with financial and program resources.
Review and process rental assistance applications, verify eligibility and required documentation, and ensure assistance is administered accurately and efficiently.
Manage multiple rental assistance funding sources, monitoring different eligibility requirements, spending deadlines, documentation standards, and available funding.
Build trusting relationships with participants while maintaining strong working partnerships with landlords, property managers, utility companies, and other service providers.
Provide housing advocacy and logistical support that helps participants obtain or transition into more stable housing.
Connect participants with NAYA's wraparound services and community resources related to employment, financial assistance, transportation, and other needs that support long-term stability.
Maintain timely, thorough, and accurate participant records, data entry, and documentation in systems including CaseWorthy and HMIS/WellSky.
Monitor program compliance with funding requirements and contribute to accurate and timely program reporting.
Collaborate with advocates and other NAYA staff to maintain clear referral pathways and coordinate services across programs and departments.
Identify service gaps and opportunities to improve workflows, procedures, and the overall experience of participants accessing rental assistance.
Participate in trainings, meetings, and professional development, including completion of Assertive Engagement training within the first three months if not already completed.
Contribute as an active member of the Housing and Stabilization Services team and support NAYA's commitment to providing culturally responsive, community-centered services.