What are the responsibilities and job description for the Housing Navigator - Oz VA position at Society of St. Vincent de Paul?
The Housing Navigator assists individuals experiencing homelessness to identify, access, and transition into housing units in the community.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Ø Assist Clients directly or on their behalf to identify possible housing units, address barriers to housing, recruit new landlords and negotiate with landlords regarding vouchers
Ø Search apartment listings, visit prospective units, and complete housing applications
Ø Assist clients with any necessary paperwork such as applications, compiling eligibility documentation required by housing providers, and other tasks required to connect clients to needed services
Ø Engage in outreach efforts with clients including phone calls, emails, outreach letters, and home visits. Build rapport with current clients in transitional housing to build a caseload
Ø Transport and support Clients with specific needs, mental health limitations, or other barriers to appointments or appointments as needed to complete their applications and housing documents
Ø Connect with community resources to arrange job fairs, employment services, and job placement projects.
Ø Conduct inspections of possible units
Ø Work collaboratively with case managers to receive referrals for advocacy services and follow up with case managers about progress on goals
Ø Maintain an up-to-date record of services as dictated by documentation standards
Ø Serve as a programmatic representative with outside agencies; conduct necessary outreach efforts
Ø Attend all-staff meetings, supervision and mandatory trainings
Ø Participate actively in team efforts as assigned
Ø Special Projects as assigned
Ø Other duties as assigned
Specific Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Ø Authentic interpersonal capacity for empathic understanding and nonjudgmental attitude when engaging with Clients with mental health problems
Ø Computer knowledge
Ø Strong knowledge of local housing resources and landlords
Ø Successful personal experience applying for apartments
Ø Attention to detail in completing paperwork for applications
Ø Experience working with diverse communities, including Domestic Violence survivors, LGBT, substance users and communities of color
Education, Qualifications, Certifications, Trainings, Licenses:
- High School graduate or equivalent
- Associate’s Degree in Social Work or a related field preferred
- Peer Support Certification preferred
- A combination of education, training and experience that results in demonstrated proficiency to perform the work may be substituted
- Commitment to the Mission, Vision and Values of St. Vincent de Paul Louisville
- Successfully pass any required pre-employment background and drug screening
- Maintain valid Driver’s license, personal auto insurance and have a clean driving record
St. Vincent de Paul Louisville is one of the longest serving social charities in Louisville. We are located in the up-and-coming Shelby Park neighborhood. Through our homeless shelters, community kitchen, supportive housing programs, professional case management, clinical services and retail thrift stores, we house, feed and support those in need with compassion and dignity on the path toward self-sufficiency.
