Housing Navigator

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a database of rental units appropriate for program participants.
• Create and implement a landlord recruitment and retention plan with an emphasis on fair housing for program participants.
• Outreach to realtors, landlords, housing developers and other housing providers and community agencies to identify new and existing housing opportunities and build a strong inventory of available housing options for program participants.
• Educate landlords, property managers, and community members about the housing needs of program participants, and provide appropriate advocacy on behalf of program participants.
• Develop trainings and workshops for tenants and KHDS staff on subjects such as tenant rights and responsibilities, housing discrimination, communicating with landlords, etc.
• Remain informed about changes to laws affecting tenants and leasing processes.
• Participate in the KYF and MyHOME intake process for each participant.
• Complete all housing related paperwork for each participant accurately and on time.
• Aid participants in the KYF and MyHOME Rapid Rehousing Programs to locate and secure housing of their choice, including accompanying to apartment showings, and assist with housing applications and paperwork.
• Cookordination and/or conduct HQS inspections for units leased by program participants as needed.
• Assess need for reasonable accommodations/unit modifications and ADA compliance, and assist program participants with the process of requesting an accommodation/unit modification when applicable.
• Participate in the lease-up process with landlords and program participants.
• Apply knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate program participants of their rights and responsibilities.
• Maintain awareness of changes in the market and community that can impact services, and bring forward recommendations to deal with expected changes.
• Represent KHDS at local collaborative meetings and community events. Promote safe and affordable housing and community awareness of homelessness issues through participation in local homelessness or related community activities.
• Actively participate in the Kenosha Local Coalition meetings and committee work.
• Provide conflict resolution and problem-solving assistance to property owners, property manager, program participants and agency staff for issues that arise between tenant, neighbors and landlords.
• Maintain on-going relationships with landlords, other housing providers and Legal Action.
• Work with property owners and managers to evaluate program effectiveness and identify program components to be modified if necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a human services related field and/or experience working with individuals and families experiencing homelessness and/or other issues that put individuals at risk of housing instability.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both written and verbally, in the English language.
• Must have reliable transportation and valid driver’s license with good driving record.
• Must carry own auto insurance with at least 100,000/300,000/100,000 coverage.
• Ability to maintain records and document case notes daily.
• Ability to give and accept feedback as a part of a team.
• Ability to traverse within the workspace and community frequently.
• Be willing to learn and work with the treatment philosophies.
• Bilingual in Spanish a plus.
• Professional experience in housing, real estate, marketing or sales preferred.
• Knowledge of tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities preferred.
• Computer skills sufficient for data gathering, documentation and reporting.