Housing Navigator

Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm

JOB PURPOSE

The Housing Navigator (HN) will need to have extensive experience working with individuals that are chronically homeless and/or sporadically homeless and whose family unit can comprise one individual to multiple (large family). Practically speaking this position requires familiarity with current housing market information, housing trends and available resources. It also requires knowledge of effective business/professional contact techniques.

The Housing Navigator will provide individualized client support by helping each client develop a plan to address their barriers, increase/maintain their income, and acquire permanent housing. The Housing Navigator will identify areas where clients will need assistance to accomplish the outlined goals and objectives (i.e. scheduling appointments, applying for social assistance and/or LTD benefits, identifying subsidized housing, etc.) Reaching our and/or mediating with landlords, obtaining utilities, acquiring furniture and making moving arrangements when indicated are also required.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supportive and Education Services

1. Ensure intake documentation complete, and coordinate move-in and exit of all program participants.
2. Along with the Family Support Workers, orientate new residents to the Shelter.
3. Liaise with any additional navigation services designed to assist clients and their families obtain housing and housing stability.
4. Support client’s interest in training programs on and off-site such as Food Safe, Mental Health First Aid and CPR/FIRST AID.
5. Perform initial housing barrier assessment with each family and develop a plan of intervention that addresses need for housing, services, etc.
6. Provide 3, 6, 9 and 12 month follow up to housed clients ensuring their housing has been maintained, and if not document reasons why.
7. Encourage and promote an environment that is strength based to assist clients in meeting their individual goals.

Outreach

1. Outreach to the community, landlords, housing developers and other housing service providers to identify new and existing opportunities and build strong relationships to better assist clients in accessing resources, employment, supportive services, and housing opportunities.
2. Respond to community requests for in-person presentations on the Shelter and homelessness specific to our demographic and neighborhood.
3. Attend collaborative meetings.
4. Network with other agencies, coalitions, and local community meetings.
5. The HN will endeavor to spend some time outside of the shelter, defined as; accompanying clients to housing viewings when necessary, networking with various housing providers including building landlords, market housing contacts, subsidized housing contacts, etc.
6. Identify appropriate permanent housing options for clients, such as, subsidized housing, permanent supportive housing, affordable and market-rate housing, and other housing opportunities.
7. Assist clients with housing applications, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, survey rental market for affordable housing, and advocate for clients with prospective landlords.
8. Demonstrate the ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously in a high-pressure, fast paced and time-sensitive environment.

Documentation

1. Maintain client-related data tracking systems as per BC Housing funding requirements.
2. Prepare case-related reports including outcomes, successes, and challenges for Management (and other related reports including but not limited to outcomes, successes, etc.)
3. Actively participate in staff meetings and trainings.
4. Maintains a Property Manager/Owner Contact Log.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. Business Administration, Social Worker or comparable combination of education/work related experience required.
• Minimum two years experience.
• Access to vehicle.
• Safe Driving Abstract/Record
• CPR/ FIRST AID, Food Safe, Mental Health First Aid.
• Crisis Intervention Skills Training required.
• Previous experience with social services and/or homeless programs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software particularly Excel.