JOB PURPOSE:
The Housing Navigator provides direct client services and works closely with realtors, prospective property owners and managers to promote permanent housing opportunities for homeless individuals and families. Maintains a relationship with exiting property managers/owners and establishes new relationships. Conducts outreach and provides educational information regarding subsidies, security deposit assistance, support from a single point of contact, cost savings via low tenant turnover, and a 90% or above housing retention rate.
Work involves orienting all eligible participants to the program and providing housing search and supportive services to promote participants' self-sufficiency, integration into the community, and permanency in housing. The principal duties are performed both in a general office environment and in the field and community where program participants reside.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary
Develop and manage comprehensive outreach/working relationship with stakeholders, including other community members, particularly realtors, landlords, property owners, and property managers. Design, implement, and evaluate an annual landlord/property recruitment and retention plan. Networks and collaborates with area Housing Resources and maintains a presence at all meetings. Maintain awareness of changes in market and community processes that can impact services; bring forward prospective recommendations to deal with expected changes.
Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client's behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and/or maintain housing. Assist participants in locating and securing housing of their choice. Create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e. tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors and creditors). Serve as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants as well as between participants and neighbors.
Apply knowledge of residential lease agreements to educate clients of their tenant rights and responsibilities. Assess housing barriers of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to determine housing and service needs.
Design, implement, and evaluate a program of life skills and client support workshops and one-on-one mentoring trainings to ensure long-term tenancy success; Serve as a resource and trainer to agency staff for long-term housing success.
Develop a housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with clients. This shall include intake interview to determine client's needs, goals, and eligibility. Assist participants in development of a strength-based/solution-focused individualized goal and action plan that promotes permanent housing and self-sufficiency; develop an effective, timely referral network in order to ensure ongoing direction and support as needed.
Provide pro-active follow-up home visits to ensure stability and further progress towards self-sufficiency; this includes support, advocacy, reducing isolation, listening, problem solving, and identification of resources to assist with reintegration of participants in the community.
Maintain accurate daily logs records, monthly outcome reports, and files for each client. Collect and report program data, including but not limited to HMIS reporting and funders' required data.
Assist clients as needed with basic skills for successful tenancy, to include demonstrating cleaning and apartment maintenance techniques; communication with neighbors and landlords, conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
Assist in development of and encourage adherence to a personal budget through pro-active housing and budget counseling sessions; provide budget counseling and education to assist clients in establishing payments plans for bills and past debts and to assist clients in obtaining and maintaining their housing.
Provide information and referral assistance regarding available support from appropriate social service agencies and/or community programs.
May or may not carry a caseload as determined by the Program Director; Other duties as assigned.
Design, implement, and evaluate a program of life skills and client support workshops and one-on-one mentoring trainings to ensure long-term tenancy success; Serve as a resource and trainer to agency staff for long-term housing success.
Develop a housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with clients. This shall
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