Program Manager - Housing Navigation

The Housing Navigation Program Manager oversees the Housing Navigation team supporting Veterans and their family’s experiencing homelessness as they transition into permanent housing. This role requires strong leadership, program coordination, and a deep understanding of Housing First principles and Trauma-Informed Care.

The Program Manager will provide direct supervision to Housing Navigators, ensure quality service delivery, and maintain strong working relationships with landlords, property managers, community partners, and local service agencies. Responsibilities include staff training and coaching, program compliance, data reporting, stakeholder engagement, conflict mediation, and continuous program improvement.

The ideal candidate demonstrates exceptional communication skills, a commitment to housing stability for vulnerable populations, and the ability to guide staff through navigating complex client barriers, housing applications, stabilization planning, and move-in logistics.

• Must have a passion for working and connecting with Veterans experiencing homelessness.
• Minimum 3–4 years of experience working in homeless services, housing programs, or human services.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Social Work, Public Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Familiarity with HUD regulations, Housing First guidelines, and Trauma-Informed Care principles.
• Proficiency in HMIS (Homeless Management Information System).
• Strong interpersonal communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build partnerships with landlords, property managers, and service providers.
• Demonstrated ability to support staff and clients navigating financial, legal, health, and housing barriers.
• A valid Driver’s License is required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Oversight & Compliance

• Assess overall program performance and make necessary adjustments to ensure alignment with contract requirements and best practices.
• Ensure program services reflect Housing First and Trauma-Informed Care models.
• Create, maintain, and analyze data reports to track program outcomes and participant progress.
• Attend stakeholder meetings to represent program activities and participant cases across Supervisorial District Teams.

Staff Supervision & Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and support to the Housing Navigation team.
• Oversee staff completion of intakes, needs assessments, and housing preference forms for all participants.
• Ensure staff deliver culturally sensitive, client-centered services.
• Guide staff through participant stabilization planning, crisis response, and barrier resolution.

Housing Navigation & Landlord Engagement

• Support staff with housing search strategies, application navigation, unit matching, and move-in logistics.
• Assist staff in negotiating contract rents and advocating for participants with property owners and property managers.
• Promote and maintain positive landlord and property management relationships to expand available housing opportunities.
• Mediate conflicts between participants and landlords as needed.

Community Partnerships & Resource Coordination

• Collaborate with local service providers to enhance and streamline referral pathways.
• Identify and connect participants to additional resources (financial, legal, health, mental health, benefits, etc.).
• Build partnerships to ensure long-term housing stability for program participants.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Will work in an office environment and travel to community partners and housing sites. Must be able to lift 15 lbs. with a fair amount of sitting, answering telephone calls, and movement within the office. Must be able to operate standard office equipment.

ABOUT JVS SOCAL

Founded in 1931, JVS-SoCal is a nonprofit, non-sectarian social service agency providing job training, education, career services, mentoring, and placement assistance to diverse and multicultural populations, transforming lives and empowering individuals to achieve sustainable employment and financial independence. JVS SoCal currently serves over 30,000 clients annually at over 20 locations throughout Southern California. As JVS SoCal continues to grow, we continue to look for qualified, dedicated staff to join us and play a role in transforming lives and bettering our communities throughout SoCal and beyond!