Family Housing Navigator

About the Homeless Alliance:

The Homeless Alliance is opening the doors to housing, hope, and stability for our neighbors experiencing homelessness by bringing together organizations to collaborate, identifying and filling gaps in services, streamlining processes, and using research-based strategies and national best practices to get people off the streets. The mid-sized organization has served Oklahoma City for over 20 years and is considered a subject matter expert on homelessness. Our company values - Community, Human dignity, Collaboration, Innovation, Learning mindset, Nimbleness, Resourcefulness - guide our work to create an Oklahoma City where everyone belongs, everyone is housed, and any experience of homelessness is rare, brief, and met with compassion.

Job Summary:

The Family Housing Navigator is a Homeless Alliance employee whose position is funded through a collaborative partnership with City Care. The Housing Navigator’s primary role is to work on a collaborative team of Housing Navigators embedded in multiple locations of the community to provide resources, assistance and support to families experiencing homelessness in both shelter settings and community settings in the larger OKC metro. The Housing Navigator provides intensive, home-based and community-based case management, housing navigation, resource referrals, and advocacy to families with children experiencing homelessness in shelter and community settings throughout the Oklahoma City metro area. The Housing Navigator will help families identify and pursue self-directed housing goals, connect to appropriate housing pathways and early intervention resources, obtain needed documentation and benefits, and achieve and maintain housing stability. The position requires a strong commitment to trauma-informed, client-centered service delivery, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with families, schools, shelters, the Oklahoma City Continuum of Care, and other community partners. The Navigator is expected to maintain a caseload of a minimum of 20 families at one time. 

Responsibilities:

• Meets with families in office, shelter, home, and community settings to assess housing needs, discuss options, and provide ongoing housing navigation and case management support.
• Provides field-based/mobile intensive case management using evidence-based practices.
• Develops individualized plans with families by identifying self-directed goals and collaborating to develop, monitor, and evaluate service plans.
• Completes assessments, screenings, and consultations for families seeking housing services and develops a working knowledge of diversion, rapid rehousing, permanent housing, and other family housing pathways in order to connect families to appropriate resources.
• Coordinates school enrollment for children accompanying families when needed and in coordination with appropriate school partners.
• Provides assistance with document recovery and obtaining supportive documentation such as identification, Social Security cards, birth certificates, and other documents required for housing or benefits.
• Assists participants with completing lease agreements and other housing-related requirements and supports families in understanding and meeting the obligations of tenancy.
• Assists families in accessing and maintaining entitlements and benefits and connects them to employment, financial education, behavioral health, health care, and other supportive resources based on their needs, preferences, and goals.
• Maintains precise and accurate documentation of case management services, including client files and entries into the program database (HMIS) for every face-to-face, telephone, or collateral contact by the next business day, consistent with Homeless Alliance policies and program requirements.
• Promotes housing stability by documenting progress, resource linkages, contacts, and outcomes and by helping families obtain services and supports needed to remain stably housed.
• Provides crisis intervention and direct support to families experiencing trauma, crises, or challenges navigating complex systems, including legal or child welfare systems, within the scope of the position and applicable policies.
• Attends weekly staffing and community meetings and social activities in the community. 
• Transports clients as needed in accordance with Homeless Alliance policies and applicable safety requirements.
• Upholds professional confidentiality and follows all Homeless Alliance policies, procedures, documentation standards, and applicable funding requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Dedicated to ending homelessness in Oklahoma City with a sense of urgency.
• Possess a high level of tolerance and understanding for individuals and families who present for services with urgent, multiple case management and health needs.
• Strong advocacy skills.
• Strong writing, reading, listening, and speaking communication skills; skilled in motivational interviewing.
• Able to build genuine rapport quickly while setting and observing appropriate professional boundaries with clients.
• Possess well-developed decision-making skills, attention to detail, and a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to excel in a diverse, collaborative team environment and work independently while maintaining a high level of accountability.
• Possess a high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential Homeless Alliance, client, donor, and employee information and situations.
• Able to multitask and remain calm in demanding and unpredictable situations.
• Possess ability to understand and follow various Homeless Alliance operations, policies, and procedures.
• Able to maintain a professional, customer service-oriented attitude at all times.
• Ability to meet face-to-face with individuals and families experiencing homelessness from diverse backgrounds and with diverse disabilities and service needs; able to develop rapport, provide information, and refer with sensitivity to cultural issues.
• Ability to work and communicate with staff, clients, donors, vendors, community agencies, schools, shelters, and other partners in a polite, courteous, and cooperative manner, while appropriately asserting needs or boundaries when the situation demands.
• Display a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment toward completing assignments efficiently.
• Possess excellent time management skills and the ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Knowledge of community resources available in Oklahoma City and the larger metro area, including family housing and homelessness resources.
• Ability to transport individuals as needed and travel to various sites and locations regularly.
• Able to meet a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends, based on program and family needs.

Education & Experience:

• Undergraduate degree in social work or behavioral science preferred.
• Two plus years of previous experience in adult or family case management preferred.
• Previous experience in homeless services, housing navigation, shelter services, recovery, justice work, or working with adults and children living with disabilities preferred.
• Professional experience navigating mental and physical health systems, benefits, schools, and community resources preferred.
• Computer literate; experienced with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), Outlook, Internet, and electronic case management systems. 

Licenses & Certifications:

• Valid Oklahoma driver’s license and reliable transportation with proof of insurance.
• ODMHSAS Case Management Certification and SOAR training preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work at a computer and lift up to 25 pounds.
• Frequent driving and travel to community-based locations.
• Capacity to meet clients in a variety of settings including homes, shelters, and public spaces.

Work Environment:

• Office-based and community-based work.
• Hectic and unpredictable situations may occur in public areas or field settings.
• Fast-paced environment with potential exposure to emotionally charged situations.
• May encounter environments with strong odors and varying levels of sanitation.

This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the availability of funds. The position is funded through a collaborative partnership with City Care and is contingent upon the availability of partnership funding. 

This position is Safety Sensitive.

Salary : $40,000 - $44,000