Housing Navigator SSVF

Description

Our History

In 1879, Father Bernard Donnelly established Mount St. Bernard’s Orphanage in Kansas City. With that one act of faith, hope and charity, many lives — and a community — were transformed.

And, from that humble beginning a strong tradition of compassionate care and social service took root, thrived, and grew to become Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Catholic Charities empowers at risk people to create a pathway out of poverty by alleviating their immediate crises to create stability; then providing robust support to lift them to dignity and self-reliance.

Today, millions of lives have been transformed, in the communities we serve. We have office locations in the Kansas City metro-area, St. Joseph, Missouri, a Food Pantry in Kansas City, Missouri, while serving a 27-county region. 

Our Culture/Mission Characteristics

While performing job duties, staff will:

• Follow the Catholic Social and Moral Teachings in all aspects while performing job duties.
• Work collaboratively to achieve goals and resolve conflict to achieve the greater good.
• Respect the diversity of talents and gifts of others and believe in cultivating those to promote personal and professional development.
• Demonstrate compassion and commitment for helping others improve their own lives.

Mission 

Helping people move to a better life through hope-filled care, services, and advocacy, calling all those of goodwill to join us.

Vision 

By lifting people in need to the dignity of self-reliance, and encouraging others to help, our communities will become one human family.

Values 

Hope/Faith, Trust, Commitment, Collaboration

Position Objective

The Navigator is responsible for finding and securing safe, stable, and affordable housing for clients in the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program who are currently experiencing homelessness. The primary objective is to assist veterans and their families in overcoming barriers to housing by providing comprehensive support from housing search through move-in. This includes conducting thorough assessments, ensuring rent reasonableness and area of consideration guidelines are met, assisting with applications and leases, and facilitating timely inspections. The Housing Navigator will serve as a crucial liaison between clients and landlords to ensure a successful and sustainable housing placement in addition to seeking new opportunities for housing veterans. 

Essential Duties

Housing Search and Placement:

• Actively search for and identify suitable, affordable, and safe housing options for clients in the designated service area.
• Maintain a current database of available housing units, landlords, and property managers.
• Ensure all housing options meet program requirements, including rent reasonableness and preferred area of consideration guidelines.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with landlords and property management companies to increase housing opportunities for clients.

Application and Lease Support:

• Assist clients with completing housing applications, gathering necessary documentation, and preparing for landlord interviews.
• Educate clients on their rights and responsibilities as tenants.
• Review and explain lease agreements to clients to ensure they understand the terms and conditions before signing.
• Coordination and Inspections:
• Schedule and coordinate housing inspections to ensure units meet health, safety, and habitability standards.
• Coordinate with other service providers and case managers to address client needs and ensure a smooth transition into housing.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date, and confidential client files and case notes in the designated database.
• Track housing search activities, placement outcomes, and program timelines.
• Submit regular reports on housing activities, including the number of clients served, and placements secured, as requested.

Other

• Travel to our 18-county catchment area, when necessary
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Attend in-service training and outside conferences/workshops.
• Represent the agency’s mission, philosophy, and function to the community.

Requirements

 Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school or program in human services recommended 
• At least 3 years’ experience in case management, social services or nonprofit work preferred.   

Additional Qualifications 

• Great communication (verbal and written). 
• Superior problem solving, conflict resolution skills, sound judgment and reasoning skills. 
• Knowledge of computers and software programs. 
• Ability to work with diverse populations. 
• Time management skills and the ability to handle multiple demands and priorities. 
• Must have the ability to interact positively with grantee, referral sources, other agencies, and community partners. 
• Ability to work with diverse populations; conversant in and supportive of Catholic Charities mission. 
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities, with keen attention to detail. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with data management systems (e.g., HMIS). 

I understand that as an employee of Catholic Charities I am expected to perform job duties in alignment with the items listed below: 

• Follows the Catholic Social and Moral Teachings in all aspects while performing job duties. 
• Works collaboratively to achieve goals and resolves conflict to achieve the greater good. 
• Respect for the diversity of talents and gifts of others and belief in cultivating those to promote personal and professional development. 
• Demonstrate compassion and commitment for helping others improve their lives. 
• Follow Agency Values: Faith/Hope, Trust, Commitment, Collaboration.