Housing Navigator Coordinator - Prairieland Service Coordination, Inc.

Under direct supervision of the Executive Director and Associate Executive Director of Prairieland Service Coordination, Inc., this position will cultivate independent rental housing opportunities in the service area and work with individuals interested in this option identify and navigate the housing application process. The Housing Navigator will work collaboratively with the ISC case management team and the assigned service partner to ensure a quality, safe, and affordable housing placement with appropriate services. This position will develop and maintain relationships with landlords, property managers, and serve as a resource for the services agencies supporting the individuals in their own home. The overall objective is to help participants achieve and maintain stable housing.

Responsibilities:

1. Develop connections with and educate landlords within the ISC region so they understand the goals of people with IDD living in their own home with services.
2. Educate and engage individuals with IDD and their families about supportive housing opportunities and how to request supportive housing through the Discovery Plan process.
3. Collaborate with other agency staff on the Discovery Plan and related housing assessment to identify housing goals, support needed to maintain a lease, create a housing emergency plan, and identify technology or other modifications that would be needed in a housing unit.
4. Complete the Statewide Referral Network referral Keep the records updated including with information about the assigned case manager providing for long-term support.
5. Learn the various housing access pathways in affordable housing, public housing, and private rental housing.
6. Identify other rental housing opportunities that meet price range of prospective tenants.
7. Educate families and landlords about co-signing opportunities for
8. Educate clients about how to be a good tenant/neighbor and how to handle landlord tenant issues as directed by Housing Locator.
9. Maintain client information & activity in the appropriate reporting program(s).
10. Coordinate apartment outreach and showings and track the leasing/application
11. Secure Housing Transition Funds and items needed at move-
12. Communicate regularly with program staff, ICDD, DDD, TA provider, services provider.
13. Refer clients to more intensive services or long-term assistance as
14. Transition the Housing Stability Plan to the IDD provider and/or ISC case manager; maintain quarterly communication with the IDD provider to confirm housing stability/retention or other leasing issues.
15. Maintain a teamwork approach and coordinate services with other team members within and outside of the ISC.
16. Develop a local/regional housing advisory body to convene virtually or in person on a quarterly basis to discuss housing needs and opportunities within the IDD community
17. Respond to information and referral requests and contacts in accordance with established protocol.
18. Attend all scheduled staff
19. Positively communicate the organizational/department/program vision, strategic direction, and purpose internally and externally.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Maintain the strictest professional confidentiality standards regarding client and organizational information
• Work cooperatively with people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic levels
• Meet deadlines, prioritize, model excellent time management skills
• Remain calm and focused in stressful situations
• Communicate clearly and effectively in writing and orally
• Creatively and positively problem solve
• Work collaboratively in a complex organization structure

Knowledge Of:

• Principles and practices of social services programs
• Computer software applications, proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook

Education and Experience: Minimum Qualifications

• Two (2) or more years' experience in human services delivery in a case management, care coordination, outreach, or similar capacity
• Experience in working with clients in a housing-based setting

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Services or related field

Education and Experience: Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in working with affordable housing developers and landlords to access resources for client placements
• One (1) or more years' experience in working with people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Work Environment

• Comply with agency and programmatic training requirements
• Visiting individuals and families remotely may require stair climbing
• Supplies for visits may require carrying up to 25 lbs., reaching and kneeling
• Office environment includes lifting, bending, stooping, sitting and standing
• Must have valid IL drivers license

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This position may require additional hours to achieve deadlines and implement various projects.

Travel

Travel is primarily local or between regions during the day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be required.