Housing Navigator

TITLE: Housing Navigator

Employment Status: Full Time

Reg. Hours Worked: 40 / Week, Non-exempt

Schedule: Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm (9/80 schedule optional)

Location(s): Pomona, Irwindale, Altadena, Pasadena, Los Angeles

Salary: $24.04/hr

**This is a temporary assignment with the potential to transition into a permanent role.**

JOB SUMMARY:

Housing Navigators are responsible for providing housing-focused case management and housing location services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The Housing Navigator works in close coordination with care teams, interim housing providers, and housing programs to guide participants through the housing process—from initial enrollment to permanent housing placement—while offering ongoing support to promote long-term stability.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE, but are not limited to the following:

• Manages a caseload of approximately 20–25 participants who have been matched to housing navigation services.

• Rapidly engages referred participants by completing necessary documentation, conducting initial assessments, and creating individualized Housing and Services Plans (HSP) in collaboration with clients.

• Supports participants in identifying and applying for available housing opportunities, including market-rate units, time-limited subsidies, vouchers, and/or permanent supportive housing.

• Collaborates with care coordination staff to complete the lease-up process, including verifying unit eligibility, coordinating inspections, preparing move-in documentation, and facilitating transitions to long-term support services.

• Connects participants to community resources that support housing stability, such as physical and mental health care, substance use treatment, employment, and legal services.

• Maintains regular contact with participants based on their individualized needs, including weekly engagement for unhoused clients and at least monthly home visits for housed participants.

• Provides services grounded in trauma-informed care, Housing First, and harm reduction principles while maintaining compliance with agency, legal, and funding guidelines.

• Uses motivational interviewing and strengths-based approaches to build trust, promote autonomy, and support participants in reaching their housing and personal goals.

• Advocates on behalf of participants experiencing housing barriers such as prior evictions, credit issues, or criminal records, and actively cultivates and manages relationships with landlords and property owners.

• Ensures that participants understand their rights and responsibilities as tenants and that landlords adhere to fair housing practices.

• Refers participants to legal support when housing-related legal issues arise, including eviction prevention or tenant rights concerns.

• Accurately documents all services, communications, and progress notes in internal systems and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) according to agency standards.

• Completes periodic recertifications and reassessments to confirm program eligibility and update service plans.

• Encourages community integration and participant empowerment to promote successful housing retention and eventual transition from services.

• Transports clients to essential appointments and conducts outreach and home visits throughout assigned regions.

• Actively participates in supervision, team meetings, and agency-wide trainings and events.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed both indoors in a standard office setting and outdoors during field-based service delivery.

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb stairs, and lift or carry up to 25 lbs.

• Ability to drive and travel throughout the service area, including transporting participants as needed.

• Use of computer, phone, and other office equipment for prolonged periods.

• Must be able to effectively communicate verbally and in writing, and interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Capable of managing multiple tasks and prioritizing in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• May involve exposure to communicable diseases or other health risks when engaging with participants in the community.

• Must adhere to safety protocols and ethical guidelines in all interactions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Familiarity with local housing resources, systems, and landlord engagement strategies.

• Knowledge of housing programs and HUD guidelines, including supportive housing and voucher systems.

• Understanding of the social determinants of health, trauma-informed care, Housing First, harm reduction, and client-centered case management.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and electronic case management systems (e.g., HMIS).

• Strong written and verbal communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to maintain professional boundaries while building trusting relationships with clients.

• Must be flexible, resourceful, and able to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of insurance required.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience providing housing navigation, case management, or related support to individuals experiencing homelessness, or two (2) years in a human services or housing-related field.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services, or a related field preferred.

• Prior experience working with individuals experiencing mental health, chronic illness, or substance use challenges is strongly preferred.

• Equivalent work experience may be accepted in place of academic requirements based on organizational review.

UNION STATION HOMELESS SERVICES EMBRACES DIVERSITY

We embrace our differences and are committed to furthering our culture of inclusion and belonging. Our commitment to racial equity within the organization is crucial to who we are and the clients we serve. Committed to being an anti-racist organization and sharing the unique cultural experiences from our networks, we offer annual racial equity training, host ongoing learning experiences through our lunch n' learns, and participate in on-going mental health training.

We promote acceptance, respect, teamwork, and fosters diversity in the workplace. We believe every individual has a story, past, and a unique set of skills that shape who we are and through this network, we can learn from each other to become better versions of ourselves personally and professionally. Through our staff-led network focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and accessibility, we work to communicate, educate, and express diverse cultivation through our eight Diversity Networks. We are honored that the Diversity Network has been recognized as part of the Community Impact Awards presented by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

Union Station Homeless Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Salary : $24