Rent Assistance Specialist

NAYA Family Center is seeking an organized, compassionate, and community-centered Rent Assistance Specialist to join our our shelter, Auntie's Place. This role supports individuals and families working toward housing stability by providing culturally responsive rental assistance, housing advocacy, resource navigation, and ongoing support. As a Rent Assistance Specialist, you'll work directly with participants to understand their needs, identify barriers to stable housing, and develop individualized plans that build on their strengths. You'll also manage the rental assistance process from application and eligibility determination through payment, documentation, and reporting.

NAYA offers an exceptional benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) with up to 6% match, 16 paid holidays, and sick and vacation accrual that increases with tenure. This is a regular, non-exempt position working 32–40 hours per week, with general working hours of 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday, occasional evenings and weekends may be required. After successful onboarding and with supervisor approval, employees may be permitted to work up to 1-2 days a week.

Pay for this position ranges from $27.50–$29.00 per hour.

Who You Are

• You have knowledge of Native American history and understand the diversity of local American Indian/Alaska Native communities and issues surrounding the Urban Indian experience.
• You believe stable housing is foundational to individual and family well-being and enjoy helping people identify practical paths toward greater stability.
• You understand the complex factors that can contribute to homelessness and housing instability and approach participants through a trauma-informed, strengths-based lens.
• You have knowledge of local community resources, emergency services, and social service systems supporting low-income and BIPOC communities.
• You are comfortable building relationships with participants, landlords, property managers, service providers, and community partners and can communicate effectively across those different relationships.
• You are highly organized and able to manage multiple funding sources, applications, documentation requirements, and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• You remain composed and use sound judgment when working with participants experiencing stressful or challenging circumstances.
• You are comfortable balancing direct service with administrative responsibilities, including eligibility verification, documentation, data entry, payment processing, and reporting.
• You enjoy collaborating across teams and can identify opportunities to improve workflows, referral processes, and the participant experience.
• Experience supporting individuals or families experiencing homelessness or housing instability is preferred, and experience working with urban or reservation Native American communities is strongly preferred.
• You are proficient with standard computer applications, including Microsoft Excel, word processing, email, web-based research, and database systems.

What You'll Do

• Help individuals and families work toward housing stability by developing individualized housing plans, identifying barriers, and connecting participants with financial and program resources.
• Review and process rental assistance applications, verify eligibility and required documentation, and ensure assistance is administered accurately and efficiently.
• Manage multiple rental assistance funding sources, monitoring different eligibility requirements, spending deadlines, documentation standards, and available funding.
• Build trusting relationships with participants while maintaining strong working partnerships with landlords, property managers, utility companies, and other service providers.
• Provide housing advocacy and logistical support that helps participants obtain or transition into more stable housing.
• Connect participants with NAYA's wraparound services and community resources related to employment, financial assistance, transportation, and other needs that support long-term stability.
• Maintain timely, thorough, and accurate participant records, data entry, and documentation in systems including CaseWorthy and HMIS/WellSky.
• Monitor program compliance with funding requirements and contribute to accurate and timely program reporting.
• Collaborate with advocates and other NAYA staff to maintain clear referral pathways and coordinate services across programs and departments.
• Identify service gaps and opportunities to improve workflows, procedures, and the overall experience of participants accessing rental assistance.
• Participate in trainings, meetings, and professional development, including completion of Assertive Engagement training within the first three months if not already completed.
• Contribute as an active member of the Housing and Stabilization Services team and support NAYA's commitment to providing culturally responsive, community-centered services.

Application Instructions

Providing a cover letter helps us better understand your experience supporting individuals and families, your approach to housing stability, and your interest in joining NAYA, so we encourage you to submit one along with your resume. If you need accommodation during the application process, please email jobs@nayapdx.org.

Questions? Want to learn more about this opportunity before applying? Contact the HR team.

NAYA is committed to building a work environment that respects and inspires every community member. Our mission is to serve Urban Native youth and families, so we strongly encourage members of the Native community to apply. We encourage applications from members of other historically marginalized groups, as well, including women, people of color, those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and those who have served in the military.