Housing Navigator

The Housing Navigator works closely with case managers and patients to complete applications and prospective property owners and managers to identify permanent housing opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness who are enrolled in CalAIM – CS Program. This position will provide housing navigation services to ensure clients are supported in gathering documentation needed for housing screening. Assistance may include assisting with obtaining ID, homeless history, documentation of disability and other required documents for housing. The Housing Navigator provides client advocacy, case management, benefit establishment, linkage to mental health/substance abuse services, linkage to stable housing and all other supportive services as needed. Additionally, the Housing Navigator will work with landlords, families, and rental agencies to locate housing for clients. Housing Navigator will also work closely with the internal finance department to ensure proper documentation of housing and rental agreements.  The position will use evidence-based practice models such as Trauma Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing, along with Harm Reduction and Housing First principles. 

Benefits:

• Free Medical, Dental & Vision
• 13 Paid Holidays PTO
• 403 (B) retirement match
• Life Insurance, EAP
• Tuition Reimbursement
• SEIU Union 
• Flexible Spending Account
• Continued workforce development & training
• Succession plans & growth within

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education: (Preferred)

• Bachelor’s degree, preferred;
• Familiarity with current housing market information, housing trends and available resources.
• Knowledge of effective business/professional contact techniques
• Two years’ related experience within human services and/or public health;
• Experience working with individuals exiting incarceration; victims of crime, homeless, and health conditions
• Experience working in underserved communities such as undocumented individuals, unaccompanied minors, LGBT populations, communities of color, youth/adolescents, and those experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, and/or mental illness; and
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred (read, write, speak)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Performs a combination, but not necessarily all, of the following duties:

• Support the integration of programs into medical care 
• Outreach to and build rapport with local business owners, realtors, landlords, housing developers, and other service providers to identify new and existing housing opportunities.
• Establish and develop working relationships with clients.
• Bridge communication between landlords, Case Managers, and clients.
• In consultation with the assigned Case Manager and the homeless client, determine housing barriers, preferences, needs and goals. May assist clients in completing SSI/SSDI and other entitlement applications.
• Provide self-sufficiency workshops in the areas of independent living skills, transitional program house meetings, social events, employment linkage, benefits establishment, and other services as needed to assist in reaching case plan and treatment plan goals.
• Assist clients with housing applications including with housing authorities and Brilliant Corners, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, survey rental market for affordable housing options, and advocate for clients with prospective landlords.
• Work with Outreach staff to assist in obtaining housing readiness documentation such as ID, social security card and income verification.
• Work with staff to develop individualized housing plans and assist homeless community members with accessing resources and making referrals; continue to engage with unsheltered homeless neighbors until shelter or permanent housing is obtained.
• Ensure effective service delivery by notifying Case Managers of all housing opportunities and coordinating individualized housing plans with clients and their assigned Case Managers.
• Attend lease signings to ensure accuracy and to support the participant in securing permanent housing.
• Attend interviews with the housing authorities, Brilliant Corners and / or agencies with patients.
• Attend regularly scheduled and impromptu meetings and maintain communication with program team members, other housing navigators, and supervisors.
• Work with the Finance department, Program Manager and Associate Director of Programs to ensure accurate and thorough documentation of rental agreements.
• Attend & participate in all multi-disciplinary team meetings and work collaboratively with other Programs Housing Navigators for collaboration opportunities, and clinic staff 
• Input data into ECW and any other database required by Managed Care Plans, and Funders of Program. 
• Assist in the production of required weekly, monthly, and/or quarterly data collection reports;
• Assist with program evaluations and updates to assigned program and services;
• Attend appropriate community resource meetings and trainings, as assigned;
• Work in collaboration with other departments when required;
• Create, edit, and reproduce outreach materials;
• Attend meetings, trainings, and other work-related events as needed; 
• Conduct monthly/weekly home visit for patients as needed to maintain housing; and
• Other duties may be assigned or may be modified as business needs dictate.

St. John’s Community Health is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer