Program: Veteran’s Program

Position: Housing Navigator

Reports to: Program Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Function:
The Housing Navigator is responsible for facilitating “active” linkages before, during, and/or after permanent housing is established, consistent with the Housing First model. The Housing Navigator will work closely with veterans and assigned case managers to help develop the skills required to utilize the necessary resources to support permanent housing.

Qualifications:
The Housing Navigator position requires a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a human services or related field. The position also requires two years of transferable experience or two years of military service. The position requires the flexibility to work evening and weekend hours. Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Principal Activities:
1. Guide and support Veterans through the housing search process.
2. Mitigate any issues with credit reports, utility arrears, criminal records, and/or unfavorable landlord references.
3. Participate in the housing needs assessment process to identify the Veteran’s housing preferences.
4. Assist with landlord and Public Housing Authority (PHA) applications for permanent housing and in preparing/obtaining any needed documentation.
5. Negotiate with PHA officials for timely inspections and landlord corrective action requests.
6. Assist Veteran with expanded housing searches when necessary to ensure timely permanent housing.
7. Assist with facilitating a wide variety of support services including health, mental health, substance abuse treatment, benefits, employment, transportation, etc.
8. Monitor each Veteran’s individual needs and contribute to the development of a plan designed to appropriately respond to the Veteran’s needs.
9. Develop strong relationships, through active outreach, with a wide range of service providers and related stakeholders such as landlords, services providers, property management companies, employers, etc.
10. Outreach to community, business owners, realtors, landlords, housing developers and other providers to identify new and existing opportunities and build strong relationships to better assist clients in accessing resources, employment, supportive services, and housing opportunities.
11. Respond to community request for street outreach intervention.
12. Mediate disputes between homeless person and community members/ neighborhood stakeholders.
13. Attend collaborative meetings.
14. Actively participate in staff meetings and trainings.
15. Network with other agencies, coalitions, and local community meetings.

Effect on End Result:
1. Provide quality services in compliance with VA and VOA standards.
2. Increased capabilities in the areas of independence, choice, rights, increased skill levels/greater income and self-motivation.
3. Competently trained and motivated staff.
4. Volunteers of America maintains a positive public image.
5. Program will operate efficiently and safely.
6. Compliance with regulatory and funding sources.

Language skills:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret, common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups and/or boards of directors.

American with Disabilities Specifications:

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hand to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust or focus.

Work Environment:
Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.