Housing Navigator and Retention Specialist

Full Time, Hourly Non-Exempt.

The Whole Person Care Housing Navigator and Retention Specialist will work closely with our Safe Parking Program staff, clients, prospective property owners and managers, primary care and behavioral health providers, and other community partners to coordinate health, behavioral health, and critical social services, such as housing, for seniors who are recently homeless or at risk of homelessness and experiencing a chronic disease and/or mental illness. The goal of this position is to secure housing for clients as quickly as possible and to then provide housing retention services for the remainder of one year.

Locates available housing for clients, provides case management to clients to help them to stabilize in their housing, conducts outreach to develop ongoing landlord relationships and provide them with educational information regarding subsidies, and participates in coordinated entry.

In consultation with the client, the Housing Navigator and Retention Specialist:

~ Determines housing barriers, preferences, needs and goals;

~ Assists clients in completing SSI/SSDI and other entitlement applications;

~ Administers the VI-SPDAT and matches clients to housing type via Coordinated Entry System protocols;

~ Networks and collaborates with area Housing Resources and maintains a presence at all meetings;

~ Maintains a relationship with existing property managers/owners and establishes new relationships with those willing to house vulnerable and/or low income clients;

~ Establishes, updates, maintains and communicates a list of available housing opportunities;

~ Assists clients in their search for housing, filling out rental applications, interpreting leases, moving and understanding tenant rights and responsibilities;

~ Conducts housing inspections and assesses for compliance with industry regulations and inspection readiness ensuring that clients have a successful transition into housing; and

~ Assists clients with ongoing housing stability through connection to community resources, employment search and readiness preparation, connection to medical, dental, mental health, and other basic needs services;

Case Conferencing:

~ Ensures effective service delivery by notifying clients of all housing opportunities and coordinating individualized housing plans with clients and any involved community partners;

~ Mediate with landlords, obtaining utilities and making moving arrangements when indicated;

~ Maintain Client Records;

~ Maintains accurate documentation of service objectives and outcomes as well as other services in accordance with Federal, State, County and New Beginnings guidelines;

~ Maintains client related data systems, including case notes and HMIS entries;

~ Prepares reports including but not limited to: outcomes, successes, etc;

~ Familiarity with current housing market information, housing trends and available resources;

~ Knowledge of effective business/professional contact techniques; and

~ Other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements for this Position:

• A minimum of 3 years of non-profit or related experience strongly preferred;
• Bachelor’s Degree  in  Business  Administration,  Real  Estate  Studies,  Human  Services, Healthcare, or comparable combination of education/work related experience required; Graduate degree in Human Services, Psychology and related fields preferred; Clinical supervision and hours available;
• Experience in a social services setting with working knowledge of case management systems and planning techniques;
• Knowledge of housing resources, subsidy programs, and the Continuum of Care for homeless persons;
• Experience working with homeless individuals and families is strongly preferred;
• Experience working in property management or real estate, and/or with business development is preferred;
• Must be proficient in the following computer applications–Microsoft Word and Excel. HMIS a plus;
• Must have own transportation to conduct job related travel as there will be some travel to mid and north county; and
• Must successfully complete a background check and meet insurance carrier’s requirements for approval to drive.

Position begins asap. Work hours are Monday – Friday, 9-5 although there will be some night time and weekend hours on occasion to attend community events, meet with clients and landlords, or attend to emergent client and administrative needs. Salary is $23.00+ per hour DOE with medical and dental benefits provided, 403(b) plan, as well as generous paid time off and mileage reimbursement. A background check will be conducted. Candidate must be willing to make at least a one-year commitment. This is not a remote position.

Send resume, cover letter and a list of three professional references to hr@sbnbcc.org. If we feel you are a good match for the position, you will be contacted to schedule an interview.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ancestry; national origin; religion/creed; sex/sexual orientation; gender; gender identity/expression, transition; political affiliation or beliefs; disability, medical condition, generic information, marital status; military/veteran status; pregnancy and conditions related thereto.; or any other characteristic protected by law (as defined by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act — Government Code Section 12900-12996), except where such discrimination is based on a bona fide occupational qualification.