HOUSING NAVIGATOR

Description

The Housing Navigator researches and identifies available affordable housing options and establishes strong relationships with potential landlords, housing authorities and management companies. In addition, the Housing Navigator assists participants with advocacy, basic needs, and support, sustaining housing. The Housing Navigator also supports the Housing Manager with statistical data, community outreach and reporting.

Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm with an hour lunch

• Prospects and develops new landlord relationships to provide homeless individuals appropriate housing stabilization. This includes intensive home-based advocacy focused on permanent housing stability, housing relocation services, landlord/tenant education and financial assistance. To be the liaison for landlord, providers, and staff to facilitate successful relationships and occupancy.
• Provides individual advocacy services to participants. This includes weekly 1:1 meetings, regular phone check-ins, and/or zoom meetings.
• Co-develops action plan with participants, that addresses their crisis and does not create unsustainable tradeoffs, and that maximizes participants’ wellbeing. Develops action plans with participants that outline goals related to education, employment, childcare and maintaining housing.  Assists clients in obtaining appropriate substance abuse, mental health, and/or medical services as needed.
• Coordinates immediate and longer-term access to resources such as, transportation, flex funding, crisis respite, supportive and permanent housing and other immediate supports for the participant, in conjunction with collaborating agencies.
• Initiates and maintains collaborative partnerships with domestic and sexual violence service providers, and other social service professionals, businesses, and informal resources in the community where participants reside.
• Answers phone calls, conducts intakes of new participants, and provides referrals and information to potential housing participants.
• Completes data entry and submits necessary reports as required for grant compliance.
• Addresses the maintenance needs of housing units as needed.  This may include communication with landlords and property management companies to provide repairs and help advocate for the participant.
• Stays abreast of Central MA community housing issues, by building and maintaining relationships with housing and social service agencies in Greater Worcester and North Central Ma.
• Prepares and delivers community presentations in Worcester and North Central County on issues related to domestic violence and housing when requested.
• Works as necessary with other residential advocates.
• Performs other duties as requested by the Director of Housing and/or the YWCA management team.

Qualifications

• A minimum of two years’ experience in human or social services
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Familiarity with domestic violence and/or gender issues.
• Must be organized and demonstrate leadership skills.
• Proficiency in Spanish is preferred
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, and general Internet skills)
• Familiarity working with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds
• Experience developing and delivering community presentations
• A demonstrated familiarity with LGBTQ , HIV/AIDS, mental health, and/or substance abuse populations
• Access to a vehicle to facilitate traveling between the agency’s areas of coverage
• Comfort working individually and in teams
• Innovative thinking to approaching issues of poverty and service delivery
• Familiarity with social service services in Greater Worcester/North Central
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including possibly altering weekday schedule to accommodate a participants need. This may be one weekend day.

YWCA is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer.

Survivors of domestic or sexual violence, people of color, people with disabilities, people who are bilingual/bicultural, and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply.

Salary : $19 - $22