Housing Navigator, Pathway - Union Station Homeless Services

TITLE: Housing Navigator

DEPARTMENT: Programs

REPORTS TO: Program Manager, Housing Navigation

Employment Status: Full Time

Reg. Hours Worked: 40 / Week, Non-exempt

Salary: $24.04/hr

JOB SUMMARY:

The Housing Navigators provide case management and housing location services for assigned program participants. The Housing Navigator collaborates with Care Coordinators at interim housing sites and through housing programs to connect individuals experiencing homelessness to permanent housing.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE, but are not limited to the following:

• Manages a caseload of 20-25 households that have been matched to Housing Navigation slots.

• Rapidly enrolls referrals received from LAHSA and/or interim housing providers, including gathering documentation needed for enrollment and creating Housing and Services Plans (HSP) in collaboration with participants.

• Assists participants in identifying and applying for units, time limited subsidy programs, housing vouchers, and/or permanent supportive housing resources, based on the individual’s needs.

• Collaborates with Care Coordinators to support the lease up process, including verifying property ownership, inspecting units, submitting move-in packets, and facilitating warm hand-offs with the care coordination team.

• Connects participants to resources that support housing stabilization and promote wellness, including medical, mental health and/or substance use services, employment, etc.

• Engages households on a consistent basis to provide support related to HSP goals. Frequency of services will be based on the needs of the individual. Weekly visits are required for unhoused participants and home visits must occur at least once a month for housed participants.

• Provides trauma informed services that align with Housing First and Harm Reduction philosophies, are in accordance with agency and funder expectations, and abide by legal and ethical standards.

• Strives to recognize the best in each participant and supports the meaningful change they seek through building relationships and utilizing motivational interviewing techniques and strength based case management techniques.

• Acts as an advocate for participants who are experiencing housing barriers (e.g. poor credit, evictions, etc.), while establishing and maintaining a professional relationship with landlords and property owners.

• Ensures that landlords are respecting tenant rights and that participants are aware of the expectations and obligations outlined in their lease agreements.

• Connects participants to legal services when necessary to mitigate evictions or other tenant rights issues.

• Maintains accurate and timely documentation in HMIS and charts in accordance with agency policies and expectations.

• Completes annual recertifications, including assessing for ongoing eligibility.

• Regularly explores opportunities for community integration to support housing retention in preparation for a successful termination of services when appropriate.

• Transports participants as needed to essential appointments and conducts visits within the community in SPA 3 and Los Angeles County, including colocation at interim housing sites when assigned.

• Participates in weekly supervision and staff meetings, as well as Programs Department and agency-wide meetings and training.

• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work indoors in a temperature controlled environment with occasional exposure to outdoor weather and driving conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• Stand and sit for long periods of time; move and walk to various locations; climb stairs, stoop, kneel, reach, pull, push, bend, twist, and occasionally lift and or move objects. Use your hands to finger, handle or feel.

• See, hear and speak clearly in order to give and receive information and instructions, perform administrative work, and drive motor vehicles including passenger vans.

• Ability to interact with other employees, clients, customers and members of the public.

• Ability to work effectively under time constraints, prioritize work, multi-task, and adapt to changing work demands.

• Gather, analyze, synthesize, and classify information.

• Transcribe, enter, and post data.

• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.

• May require exposure to blood borne pathogens and infectious agents.

• Requires use of a computer keyboard for substantial periods of time.

• Able to travel to off-site meetings or other activities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of crisis and permanent housing resources throughout Los Angeles County.

• Knowledge of housing issues in San Gabriel Valley preferred.

• Knowledge of HUD guidelines and experience working with subsidized housing programs.

• Current knowledge of best practice models, including: Housing First, Trauma Informed Care, Mental Health Recovery, Harm Reduction, and Critical Time Intervention.

• Proficient in use of laptop computer and Microsoft Windows, Office software programs, and Google Apps. (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, G-mail, Docs).

• Ability to accurately enter client data and progress notes in the Homeless Management Information System, and run program management reports.

• Proficient with office communication equipment and machines (telephone, copier, calculator, fax machine, personal computer, laptop, printer and scanner).

• Understanding of case management practices and ability to accurately and clearly document case notes.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Possess valid California driver's license and have access to properly registered vehicle.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Option I: A Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field.

• Option II: Have a minimum of two (2) years of experience in a related human services field.

• Option III: Have a minimum of two (2) years of experience in the housing field that gives them skills listed above.

• Option IIII: Successful demonstration of required skills through current or past USHS direct employment or temporary assignment may be considered in lieu of the standard required years of experience.

Desirable

• Experience working with participants with complex medical, mental health, and/or substance use conditions strongly preferred.
• Experience in the following areas strongly preferred: chronic homelessness, outreach and engagement strategies, intensive case management services, best practice models, medical, mental health, or substance use services, crisis intervention, suicide assessment and prevention, affordable housing and public benefits applications, housing and landlord/tenant rights, eviction prevention, etc.
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish preferred.

UNION STATION HOMELESS SERVICES EMBRACES DIVERSITY

We embrace our differences and are committed to furthering our culture of inclusion and belonging. Our commitment to racial equity within the organization is crucial to who we are and the clients we serve. Committed to being an anti-racist organization and sharing the unique cultural experiences from our networks, we offer annual racial equity training, host ongoing learning experiences through our lunch n' learns, and participate in on-going mental health training.

We promote acceptance, respect, teamwork, and fosters diversity in the workplace. We believe every individual has a story, past, and a unique set of skills that shape who we are and through this network, we can learn from each other to become better versions of ourselves personally and professionally. Through our staff-led network focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and accessibility, we work to communicate, educate, and express diverse cultivation through our eight Diversity Networks. We are honored that the Diversity Network has been recognized as part of the Community Impact Awards presented by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

Union Station Homeless Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer