Housing Navigator (Adult Re-Entry - Imperial County)

Position Title: Housing Navigator (Imperial County)

Company Description: NAMI San Diego & Imperial Counties (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is a nonprofit organization that provides free education, support services, and advocacy to improve the quality of life of everyone affected by mental health conditions.

Program Description: The Adult Re-Entry Program is our newest program in Imperial County, where our Peer Case Managers and Housing Navigators provide wrap-around re-entry services and housing assistance to adults with a history of incarceration.

Primary Responsibilities/Function

Our Housing Navigators support individuals who have been formerly incarcerated in the California state prison system, are living/returning to Imperial County, and are 18 years of age or older. They support individuals with identifying and obtaining housing, obtaining housing-related documentation, successfully moving in, and retaining housing, which includes providing support to reduce and resolve landlord-related issues. Additionally, our Housing Navigators develop and maintain relationships with landlords and other housing providers to facilitate access to housing for our clients. Our Housing Navigators work in the field in all areas of Imperial County, as well as in our offices.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Build rapport and provide culturally sensitive, gender affirming, and trauma-informed support to all individuals served.
• Ongoing meetings with our client(s) to determine needs, preferences, and goals.
• Develop and implement an Individualized Service Plan (person-centered, housing plan) that aligns with the individual's needs, preferences, and goals, and update the plan as needed.
• Research available housing options, present options to the individual, accompany them to potential housing sites, and support with the application process for selected location(s).
• Support individuals with applications for subsidies, as well as obtaining housing-related documentation.
• Identify needs for rental deposits, temporary rent support, and one-time services and modifications needed to have safe and stable housing; obtain approvals, coordinate, and secure related funding.
• Works closely with our Peer Case Managers to coordinate person-centric housing options, and with our accountants to coordinate and receive approval for housing-related financial support.
• Support individuals with maintaining a safe and stable tenancy, including support to reduce and resolve landlord-related issues.
• Conduct outreach with landlords and housing sites to provide information about our program and facilitate access to housing for our clients.
• Use evidence-based practices such as motivational interviewing, housing first, and harm reduction principles, to engage & support the individual in achieving their housing-related goals.
• Complete timely and accurate documentation of eligibility, consent, assessments, housing plan, progress towards goals, and all communications with the individual, their family, and landlords.
• Conduct outreach and engagement with potential participants, as well as with agencies and providers that support them, including Calipatria and Centinela state prisons.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Accountability: Reports to the Program Manager.

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer, prolonged periods of standing and walking, prolonged periods of working outdoors, must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times must be able to pull/push 15 pounds.
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum one year of experience providing housing navigation or closely related support.
• Minimum of one year of experience supporting individuals with a recent history of incarceration.
• Minimum of one year of experience supporting individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
• Bilingual: English, Spanish.
• In-depth knowledge of Imperial County's housing resources, social services, and culture.
• Familiarity with housing first, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care
• Demonstrated success completing accurate and timely documentation.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with computer software (Microsoft Office: Outlook, Word, Excel) and web navigation.
• Strong positive viewpoint towards individuals living with mental health conditions, substance use conditions, homelessness, recent history of justice involvement, and their families.
• Able to communicate effectively, verbally, and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, positivity, attention to detail, flexibility, and enjoy working in an ever-changing environment.
• Excellent planning, organizing, analyzing, problem-solving, and time management skills.
• Ability to get along and work effectively with others.
• Reliable and consistent attendance.
• Must be willing and able to drive your personal car to transport clients, have a valid California Driver's License, and comprehensive automobile insurance as required by law.
• Must have a satisfactory driving record.
• Personal lived experience or with a family member or loved one with a history of incarceration, mental health conditions, substance use, or homelessness, is preferred.
• Knowledge of and use of recovery language, preferred.