Proactive Community Services is seeking an individual to serve as our Housing Navigator to assist community clients/families living with HIV/AIDS to obtain/maintain housing stability in South Cook County Suburbs.

Summary

The Housing Navigator conducts assessments of clients' housing needs and provides crisis prevention and intervention services to unstably housed and homeless clients and families. The Housing Navigator provides housing information and linkages to services to help prevent disruption in care. The individual in this role interacts with clients and work cooperatively as part of a multidisciplinary team. The Housing Navigator works to form strong relationships with community landlords to increase resources to assist low-income clients and families in improving their access to HIV/AIDS treatment and other related supportive services. The Housing Navigator works with a harm reduction and client-centered approach.

Principal functions and responsibilities of this position include the following:

Client Service

• Assess housing needs of community clients/families living with HIV/AIDS.

• Provide crisis prevention and intervention services to unstably housed and homeless community clients and families.

• Add appropriately assessed clients to the AFC HOPWA subsidy waitlist for permanent placement.

• Link community clients to other non-AFC mainstream housing resources.

• Link community clients to support services to prevent disruption in care.

• Meet with all client walk-ins needing immediate housing services.

• Advocate for clients with landlords and providers as required.

• Develop strong relationships with private, for-profit, and not-for-profit landlords to facilitate client placement.

• Assist with initial client placement in any AFC HOPWA subsidized program.

• Provide tenancy support such as tenant education and income maintenance options.

• Provide tenancy support such as tenant education and income maintenance options.

• Document all client and client-related services in client-level databases

• Assist with the coordination of the Housing Navigation Program.

Tracking, Reporting, and Billing

• Monitor caseload size to maximize capacity within the system.

• Document referrals electronically and track agency responsiveness to referrals.

• Participate in administrative/programmatic review of subcontracted sites at least annually.

Other

• Attend and actively participate in required departmental, committee, and staff meetings.

• Maintain and update job knowledge by participating in training and educational opportunities, reading professional publications, and participating in professional organizations;

• Protect the organization's value and manage risk by keeping information confidential.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

Associate degree in Social Services or related field and two or more years of Human Services experience OR three or more years of HIV-specific service experience.

One or more years of experience using basic Microsoft Office functionality (for example, Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Social Services or related field and one or more years of Human Services experience; one or more years experience using a client-level database; or one or more years of HIV-specific service experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong written and verbal communication skills;

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to provide efficient, quality service to internal and external customers;

• Solid interpersonal skills along with the ability and willingness to respect and value the differences and perceptions of different groups/individuals;

• Knowledge of the causes of homelessness, who it affects, and the factors (e.g., racial inequities, Socio-Economic Status) that can contribute to an individual being homeless;

• Knowledge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs and program requirements, rules, and procedures;

• Ability to manage multiple projects, establish workload priorities, and meet deadlines;

SPECIAL NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS:

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Valid State Illinois driver's license required or must have the ability to procure transportation to attend off-site meetings or training. Must have own transportation and auto insurance.
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Proactive Community Services, a nonprofit organization in the Southern Cook County Suburbs, provides education and awareness to combat social and health disparities. PCS aims to empower individuals and encourage behaviors that promote long-term healthy lifestyles, economic self-sufficiency, and independence through individual achievement.
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Our Mission: Provide health guidance solutions and health career training to disadvantaged communities

Our Philosophy: Bring the highest ideals of public health into the lives of adults, families, and youth to end health and social inequities
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Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $40,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
All clients and staff are required to wear a mask as a COVID-19 precaution.

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Flossmoor, IL 60422: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Experience:

• Case management: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: One location