Housing Navigator - Part Time, Ventura, Ca

POSITION TITLE: Housing Navigator

REPORTS TO:      Social Services Coordinator

LOCATION:           Ventura, California

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt, Part-Time

SALARY: $21.63 - $24.04 Hourly Rate

PERTINENT INFORMATION:

• Work Shift: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9:00AM - 5:30PM

Housing Navigator

The Housing Navigator is responsible for providing direct assistance and support to participants experiencing a housing crisis and homelessness through clinical engagement and intensive case management services. These services include, but are not limited to, the following: crisis intervention; developing and promoting housing readiness; accessing opportunities for housing assistance and rental subsidy programs (e.g., Section 8, EHAP-Emergency Housing and Assistance Program); and securing permanent housing placement. The position is also responsible for the development and implementation of on of a housing plan and participant budget for each program participant. This position requires extensive coordination within multiple internal NHF Programs (e.g. collaboration with Interdisciplinary teams), and external systems that include developing relationships with the Housing Authority, DMH, Department of Aging, Senior Living, community partners and resources, landlords, and property owners and managers (e.g. following up with housing leads, and applying for units to facilitate optimal outcomes for individuals and moving into permanent housing and/permanent supportive).

Responsibilities and Initiatives

To help NHF meet its growth goals, the Housing Navigator will:

• Conduct Initial Meeting and Assessment for each participant accessing services to build rapport and relationship while evaluating participants’ housing needs, history, barriers, and available services and support.
• Conduct or review intake and assessments for each guests accessing services to evaluate housing needs, history, and service/support needs.
• Connect program Participants to community resources that will support the goal of permanent housing (e.g., benefits advocacy, food pantries, employment services, mental health).
• Collaborate with our guests in determining personal goals and plans to achieve those goals through the development of an Individual Action Plan (IAP). Assist our guests in accessing services that address the needs and goals of their IAP. They Include the following, but not limited to: Mental/Physical health services, mainstream benefits, education, employment, legal services, and vocational training.
• Provide housing stabilization services to guests. They include the following, but not limited to: Money Management, life skills, accessing transportation, understanding their lease, self-advocacy. Conduct housing inspections to meet HUD housing Habitability and complete reports.
• Strategize and present housing leads to participants that include listings from agency, housing authority, internet, and internal database of landlords/management firms/owners.
• Conduct site visits of former guests 12-months post-discharge to ensure guests are remaining housed and working to troubleshoot any issues that may result in the guest cycling back into homelessness.
• Establish and cultivate relationships with landlords and other housing providers to build a portfolio of housing options for our guests.
• Participate in care coordination meetings and other plan related meetings.
• Enter data in required databases, compile and submit reports that track guest status and support services provided. Maintain accurate guest files of all required eligibility documents.
• Other tasks and responsibilities as needed.
• Always follow NHF policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Associate degree in related field preferred and a minimum of three years of experience in social services. Experience working with unhoused individuals a plus.
• Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid Certification.
• Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license with acceptable insurance. Ongoing, active automobile insurance that complies with State Requirements.
• Demonstrated experience in affordable housing programs, VASH, Section 8 programs, shelter plus care and other housing programs.
• Have demonstrated experience in working with landlords and advocating on behalf of the underserved. Have demonstrated knowledge about tenant/landlord laws.
• Being able to work autonomously and work successfully as part of a multidisciplinary professional team.
• Must be comfortable providing direct field-based services to participants at identified motels and interim housing locations.
• Passion towards ending homelessness. Able to demonstrate empathy and a non-judgmental attitude when engaging with persons experiencing homelessness.

Physical Requirements

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods (Constantly)
• Use of a personal vehicle to travel between worksites and other locations is required.
• Travel is a regular duty for this position and is required 60% of the time.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Work is to be done in an office setting, or in public. Includes doing work occasionally inside guests’ homes during sites visits.

Benefits

National Health Foundation is addressing the social determinants of health using several research-proven strategies. We are targeting Food Access, with an emphasis on increasing the availability of health and fresh foods in under-resourced communities, Housing, with a focus on providing shelter and care for individuals who have been released from the hospital, the Built Environment, prioritizing the removal of the barriers to health in the Historic South Los Angeles community, and Education, with a focus on risk prevention and support for pregnant and parenting teens to complete their education. For further details on the programs, please visit our site at: http://nationalhealthfoundation.org.