Housing Locator (Rental Subsidy and Services)

Join the NVFS Family: We are looking to hire a Housing Locator to join our Community Housing team's Rental Subsidy & Services Program (RSSP)! In this role, you will help individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability identify and secure safe, stable, and affordable housing. Through housing searches, landlord partnerships, housing advocacy, and client education, you will support participants in overcoming housing barriers and working toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency.

Why This Role Matters: Having access to safe and affordable housing is essential to building a stable future. As a Housing Locator, you will play a meaningful role in connecting individuals and families with housing opportunities, strengthening relationships with landlords, and helping clients navigate the rental process. Your work will directly contribute to reducing housing barriers, supporting successful placements, and creating stronger, more stable communities throughout Northern Virginia.

Benefits and Compensation:We want you to be well, have work/life flexibility, grow your career with us, and have the resources and support you need. Check out our comprehensive benefit offerings here in support of various dimensions of your wellbeing.

This position has a starting salary of low 50s and is a hybrid role.

In this role, you will: 

Identify Housing Opportunities and Support Clients

• Proactively identify available housing opportunities and resources to help individuals and families secure safe, stable, and affordable housing.

• Assist clients with housing searches, rental applications, lease negotiations, and navigating housing-related challenges.

• Collaborate with case managers to connect clients with rental assistance, donated furnishings, moving support, and other housing resources.

• Provide housing advocacy and support clients in understanding their rights and responsibilities as tenants.

• Identify housing barriers, address client concerns, and develop solutions to support successful housing placements.

Build Housing and Community Partnerships

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with landlords, property managers, housing providers, and community organizations.

• Serve as a liaison between clients and landlords, facilitating communication, resolving concerns, and negotiating housing arrangements.

• Maintain an updated housing directory with available properties, landlord contacts, and housing resources.

• Collaborate with internal NVFS teams, government agencies, and community partners to expand housing opportunities and coordinate services.

• Facilitate renter education sessions to help clients understand tenant rights, lease agreements, and housing responsibilities.

Maintain Housing Quality and Program Compliance

• Conduct Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections in accordance with program and grant requirements.

• Identify and document property deficiencies, communicate findings to landlords and tenants, and coordinate necessary corrective actions.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of housing contacts, inspections, client services, training activities, and program records.

• Ensure housing-related activities comply with program guidelines, funding requirements, and agency standards.

• Participate in team meetings, supervision, and ongoing professional development to maintain knowledge of housing programs and best practices.

Your Background:  We understand that you may obtain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences.

• At least three (3) years of experience in property management, housing management, and/or real estate, including negotiation and advocacy; experience within the community served a plus.

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

• Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Certification required within six (6) months of hire if not already certified.

• Experience and comfort facilitating training sessions and educational activities for groups.

• Experience providing direct services to individuals experiencing crisis strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate respectfully, clearly, effectively, and patiently with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with clients, landlords, and community organizations.

• Fluency in English required; bilingual fluency in Spanish or other client languages a plus. Additional language skills always welcome.

• Digital and technical proficiency, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of background checks required upon hire
• Must have reliable transportation to visit properties and community locations on a frequent basis
• May be called upon to work beyond normal working hours

Working at Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS) means doing work that matters every day because of the difference you will make in the lives of children and families in Northern Virginia. NVFS’ breadth, depth and scope of services offer the resources and support to ensure that everyone in need, at every stage of life, maximizes their potential and fully contributes to a thriving community. At NVFS, we value every team member’s contribution and our collective impact on our clients and the community. NVFS is an equal opportunity employer, E-Verify participant and drug-free workplace.