Housing Navigator OMAP (Veterans Department)

Job Summary / Function :

The Housing Specialist (HS) is a key team member whose primary responsibilities include developing a housing stock of rentals for Veterans and assisting Veterans with the rental process. The Housing Specialist must engage property owners, building managers, real estate agents, and property management companies to build and maintain a database of units and landlords / property managers in the area. The Housing Specialist is required to work with the Veteran in their search for suitable housing, help facilitate the landlord / tenant relationship and ensure understanding of tenant responsibilities and obligations. The Housing Specialist works with the entire Operation Military Assistant Program (OMAP) team to assist Veterans with furnishing their apartments and logistics of moving and coordinates with case managers regarding rent and follow-up to assure the apartment is well-maintained and lease obligations are being met. The Housing Specialist will take the lead in addressing any issues related to the property management aspect of the program.

The Housing Specialist shall develop a data base for the units and landlords that are working with the program and maintain strong working relationships with landlords, realtors and brokers and fellow OMAP team members. The HS will develop and maintains a liaison relationship with property owners in the OMAP catchment area.

Additionally, this position is responsible for outreach to areas where chronically homeless Veterans can be located. The HS promotes the development and provides on-going outreach and housing acquisition interventions to promote sustained stability of housing.

DUTIES :

• Landlord / Tenant Education and Training - Will provide training to both landlords and tenants participating in the Operation Military Assistance Program (OMAP). The curriculum includes education on all aspects of apartment selection and legal rights to both tenants and landlords. Special emphasis will be on health and safety issues - particularly housekeeping and lead safe practices.
• Expand Affordable Rental Units - Staff will work to create an inventory of identified affordable rental housing by providing resources to both landlords and tenants. The Housing Specialist will work to increase the numbers of affordable quality housing units for tenants participating in the Housing Services program.
• Process Monitoring - Assist in maintaining a directory of tenants attending workshops, rental assistance requests and payments, and landlords participating in the Operation Military Assistance Program (OMAP).
• Tenant Placement - Will work directly with tenants in need of housing to identify available units and act as an intermediary with the landlords to find appropriate housing. The Housing Specialist will follow up with all parties to ensure the process ran smoothly, and to provide other available units to consider if necessary.
• Property Inspection - All units will also be inspected visually by the Housing Specialist, per HUD requirements, prior to move-in.
• Follow-up to Ensure Stabilization - The Housing Specialist will follow up with landlords to maintain the relationship between the landlord and the agencies participating in the Homeless Services program, and to increase the stock of available quality housing. The Housing Specialist will also be in communication with case managers to be sure that housing has stabilized for tenants and barriers have been minimized, and to enhance program areas in need of improvement.

Requirements

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Physical Demands

Some walking, handling and carrying of light to moderately heavy objects as required. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

Qualifications : Strong interpersonal relationship skills, Understanding and sensitivity to client population, Ability to form and maintain community relationships, Knowledge of housing principles, guidelines, laws and concepts, Knowledge of housing market trends, and Understanding of computer systems and processes. Veteran preferred, but not required.

Physical and Other Requirements of Position

Some walking, handling and carrying of light to moderately heavy objects as required. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

This position requires the ability to perform a broad range of activities. The position requires full range of motion, including manual and digital dexterity and hand-and-eye coordination. The position requires vision, speech and hearing capacity that is corrected to normal range, or special accommodations made which are sufficient for the completion of assigned tasks.

The position requires work while seated at a desk, including the use of a computer. The position requires the ability to lift 30 pounds. The position requires occasional work under stressful conditions and during irregular hours.

The position requires the ability to drive and regular access to a reliable vehicle.

Training Expectations and Opportunities

Within the first three months of hire, all new employees will receive orientation to :

All staff who regularly have direct contact with clients will receive training on legal issues, including :

All staff who handle client case records will receive training on proper documentation techniques and the maintenance and security of case records.

All staff who regularly have direct contact with clients will receive training on the following topics, as needed, to be determined by the employee and supervisor :

o bias and discrimination; and

o the need for normalizing experiences and social inclusion.