Housing Navigator

Description

Position Title: Housing Navigator

Reports to: Program Director

Location: NW, Washington, DC

Hours: Flexible schedule, between 7 am – 8 pm, some holidays and weekends may be required. 

Classification: Exempt, Full-Time

Who we are:

Friendship Place is a nonprofit organization that serves the Washington, DC, region. We empower individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to rebuild their lives with the community's involvement. Friendship Place offers the most effective model for addressing homelessness, with innovative, customized programs with positive, demonstrable results and a lasting impact on the community and beyond. Our programs are person-centric and individualized to meet the needs and goals of individuals, families, youth/young adults, and Veterans experiencing homelessness. We provide outreach, hospitality, health care, case management, housing, job placement services, and advocacy.

Summary:

The Brooks Program provides short-term housing services to families experiencing homelessness in the District. The building contains 50 units and is located in Northwest DC. The program follows a Housing First model philosophy and utilizes best practices to ensure participants can transition from short-term family housing to independent housing within 90 days. The HN is responsible for developing individualized housing plans, overcoming barriers to housing, and achieving the goal of maintaining an average of six lease-ups per month if the HN is solely working in the capacity of the HN role. If the HN is managing a caseload, then the HN is responsible for a minimum of four (4) lease-ups per month.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Maintain Relationships with Landlords and Realtors:

Goal: Establish and maintain strong relationships with landlords and realtors to secure steady housing opportunities for families.

Duties:

• Develop a network of landlords and realtors willing to work with the STFH program to provide affordable housing options.
• Regularly update and maintain a listing of available apartments that meet the program’s criteria.
• Negotiate lease terms and conditions on behalf of clients, ensuring they are favorable and sustainable.

Achieve Monthly Lease-Up Targets:

Goal: Maintain an average of six monthly lease-ups, ensuring that families are successfully transitioned into permanent housing, if applicable. Minimum four monthly lease-ups if HN is working in a dual capacity as a case manager.

Duties:

• Track and report on lease-up metrics, including the number of families successfully housed each month.
• Implement strategies to meet or exceed the monthly lease-up target, including increasing housing searches, landlord outreach, and application support.
• Address any challenges that arise in the lease-up process to ensure timely and successful housing placements. 
• Conduct housing assessments to understand each family's specific needs, preferences, and barriers.
• Collaborate with clients to create a personalized housing plan that aligns with their transition goals from shelter to permanent housing.
• Regularly review and update housing plans to reflect progress and changes in circumstances.
• Prepare families for housing interviews by conducting mock interviews, reviewing documentation, and providing coaching.
• Assist families with collecting and submitting all necessary documentation for housing applications, leases, and move-in processes.
• Accompany clients on housing searches and interviews, providing support and advocacy when appropriate.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Work closely with social service staff, case managers, and other team members to coordinate services and ensure a holistic approach to housing support.
• Participate in regular team meetings to discuss client progress, share best practices, and address any challenges.
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, including housing authorities, social service agencies, and legal aid organizations.

Professional Development:

• Stay informed about the latest developments in housing services, entitlement programs, and the DC housing market.
• Attend relevant training sessions, workshops, and conferences to enhance skills and knowledge in housing navigation.

Performance Goals:

• Achieve and maintain six (6) lease-ups per month if the HN does not work dual roles- in the capacity of a case manager. HN will maintain a minimum of four (4) lease-ups, if HN has a caseload and is working in dual roles. 
• Successfully develop and implement housing plans that meet the unique needs of each family.
• Build and sustain relationships with landlords and realtors to secure ongoing housing opportunities.
• Document and report all housing activities accurately and on time.

Requirements

Education/Experience:

• 2 years of college or an associate degree in any field and three years of experience with homeless services programs or human services is required OR
• Bachelor’s degree in any field and two to four years of experience with homeless services programs or human services, OR
• A master’s degree in any field and one to two years of experience homeless services programs or human services
• Experience working within homeless services, as well as with landlords, and an understanding of landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities is preferred
• Experience working with vulnerable families or in child welfare is preferred.

Qualifications:

• Strong written and verbal skills
• Ability and willingness to work in a diverse environment
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Understanding of adult rehabilitation services
• Understanding of Housing First model
• Experience with families, youth, and housing systems
• Experience with addictions, mental health, and co-occurring disorders
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, the Internet etc.
• Experience with Customer Assessment, Tracking and Case History (CATCH) and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a plus
• Strong commitment to mission, organizational core values including racial equity and social justice
• Excellent customer service
• Integrity, tenacity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed with alignment to FP’s mission 

Working conditions

Office is housed in a short-term family housing facility, with the expectation that case managers will transport residents to appointments in the community as needed by public transportation or approved vehicles

Physical and Environmental Requirements

Must have his/her own transportation to carry out job duties and responsibilities. The vehicle must meet legal requirements (insurance meets the resided state minimum, registered, etc.) and the employee must have a valid driver’s license. Occasional driving may be required. Some lifting may be required also (up to 20-25 lbs.).

Background checks:

The selected candidate will be required to pass a criminal history background check including fingerprinting including FBI, Police background check (of the jurisdictions in which they reside, and DC Police background check) DC Child Abuse Registry, and National Sex Offender Registry Department(s); Drug and Alcohol testing and Tuberculosis Testing

Direct reports

None

Other Details:

Application Deadline: This job is open until filled, or the hiring manager determines that they can no longer accept applications.

Compensation: The hiring pay range is between $58,117.00 - 63,506.53. The starting salary is based on a step system. A candidate’s starting pay determination is made based on meeting the basic position requirements, and current completed education, credentials and/or work experience. Please Note: The step system is set and not open to pay negotiation.

COVID-19: All Friendship Place employees, regardless of their vaccination status, must continue to take precautions against the spread of COVID-19, in accordance with agency’s COVID-19 protocols and applicable law and guidance. This includes, but is not limited to, wearing masks in congregated settings, washing their hands or using hand sanitizer often, monitoring their daily health, and staying home if they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms (or if they are otherwise prohibited from reporting to work by health provider pursuant to CDC, state and local guidance). Since the public health and legal landscapes regarding this policy are subject to frequent changes, Friendship Place reserves the right to amend or cancel this policy at any time at its sole discretion, consistent with applicable law, consistent with CDC guidelines and the DC Department of Health.

Interview Process: Phone screening, panel style interview, final interview.

Website: www.friendshipplace.org

Diversity & Equal Opportunity Statement: Friendship Place is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our team and want to involve all those who can contribute to our inclusive culture. We support all qualified individuals within our workforce without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, personal appearance, familial status, family responsibilities, political affiliations, matriculation, credit, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

How to Apply: Interested applicants should apply via the organizational website. All of our current career openings can be found by visiting: https://friendshipplace.org/who-we-are/careers/ 

Salary : $58,117 - $63,507