Housing Navigator, Safe Parking Program – North County

About the role

The Housing Navigator works closely with clients and prospective property owners and managers to secure permanent housing opportunities for homeless individuals and families. Key responsibilities include locating available housing, providing case management, conducting outreach, and maintaining relationships with landlords.

Responsibilities

• Determines housing barriers, preferences, needs and goals for clients
• Affords assistance in completing SSI/SSDI and other entitlement applications
• Administers the VI-SPDAT and matches clients to housing type via Coordinated Entry System protocols
• Networks and collaborates with area Housing Resources and attends meetings
• Maintains a list of available housing opportunities at least twice per week
• Consistently meets all agency assigned outcome goals with respect to number of rental property contacts and number of people served, and exited to permanent housing
• Prepares materials for making presentations to realtors, property managers and property owners or groups thereof
• Fields inquiries from prospective property owners to provide information on New Beginnings’ services, listens to their needs and ensures submission of completed housing applications where appropriate
• Affords assistance in clients' search for housing, fills out rental applications, interprets leases, moves and understands tenant rights and responsibilities
• Conducts housing inspections and assesses for compliance with industry regulations and inspection readiness ensuring that clients have a successful transition into housing
• Affords assistance in clients' management through connection to community resources, employment search and readiness preparation, connection to medical, dental, mental health, and other basic needs services
• Ensures effective service delivery by notifying clients of all housing opportunities and coordinating individualized housing plans with clients and any involved community partners
• Mediates with landlords, obtaining utilities and making moving arrangements when indicated
• Maintains Client Records
• Maintains accurate documentation of service objectives and outcomes as well as other services in accordance with Federal, State, County and New Beginnings guidelines
• Maintains a Property Manager/Owner Contact Log to meet set expectations
• Prepares reports including but not limited to: outcomes, successes, etc

Requirements

• A minimum of 3 years of non-profit or related experience strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Real Estate Studies, Human Services or comparable combination of education/work related experience required
• Experience in a social services setting with working knowledge of case management systems and planning techniques
• Knowledge of housing resources, subsidy programs, and the Continuum of Care for homeless persons
• Experience working with homeless individuals and families is strongly preferred
• Experience working in property management or real estate, and/or with business development is strongly preferred
• Must be proficient in the following computer applications–Microsoft Word and Excel. HMIS a plus
• Must have own transportation to conduct job related travel
• Must successfully complete a background check and meet insurance carrier’s requirements for approval to drive

Qualifications

• Must have a valid driver's license
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends

Benefits

Starting salary is $25.00 – $30.00 per hour with medical and dental benefits provided, 403b contribution and matching, as well as generous paid time off. Position begins asap.