Housing Navigator

Purpose: (General description and summary)

The Housing Navigator (HN) reports to the Program Manager (for RAP/Reentry Housing Program/Outreach Services) and works in partnership with the RAP Peer Support Specialist (PSS) to manage rent assistance and provide supportive housing services to participants of the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) in Washington County. The Housing Navigator assumes the lead role in helping participants prepare for, seek and acquire housing. The HN establishes and maintains relationships with landlords and other community partners, and works with the PSS to manage the wait list, enroll new participants, provide housing retention support, respond to (housing, mental health, and other) crises, and coordinate care (with clinical team members and other members of a participant’s support team). The HN develops and maintains collaborative relationships with stakeholders in the Community Consortium, including State, Co u nty, and community agencies. The HN collaborates with the RAP Peer Support Specialist and program supervisor to ensure achievement of specified program outcomes, thought services that align with the Mission and Values of New Narrative, promote individual choice, are person-centered, and informed by a peer-based perspective.

Accountabilities: (Responsibilities of the job)

• Fulfill duties of Rental Assistance Program (RAP) requirements for all services and grant management including adherence to all g rant requirements as determined by the State of Oregon .

• Work with State of Oregon (Oregon Health Authority, or OHA) regarding process and outcomes of RAP program, as needed, and attend RAP meetings with the State or other RAP providers in Oregon.

• Comp lete and submit reporting on the following: obtaining and maintaining of housing, services provided, de mographic information, barriers to housing, and all other aspects of program , as required .

• Attends meetings as required . Position requires quarterly travel to Salem, Oregon and may include out of state conferences and trainings .

• Assists with program design, coordination of daily activities, quality improvement, and maintenance of participant files.

• Ensure s timely completion of all weekly, monthly and quarterly reports to State of Oregon , as required .

• Assists PSS in carrying out activities associated with Housing TEAM’s TriMet grant, as needed.

• Coordinate s with participant, PSS, housing providers/ property managers to ensure a high level of tenant retention, tenant education , advocacy for fair housing and landlord-tenant rights where needed /requested , etc.

• Coordinate s with individuals, family members, service providers to process referrals and maintain RAP wait list.

• Develop s and maintai ns effective relationships/ partnerships with landlords in the community.

• Create s individualized housing plans, conduct s self- screening and facilitate s community-based housing exploration activities with program participants.

• Assumes lead support role in assisting individuals to apply for rental housing, pay screening fees, and pay execution/holding deposits.

• Assumes lead role in supporting individual to create housing portfolio and complete appeal or reasonable accommodation request processes.

• Co ordinate s lease signing and move- in processes—understanding of l ease, set up utilities, completes move- in inspection, coordinate s move- in cost payments, and assist s in planning and providing supportive housing services for housing retention support, community integration, problem solving, etc.

• Routinely audit s charts of individuals engaged in services and program documentation . Maintains HIPAA compliance.

• Respon ds in effective and timely manne r to needs or concerns of residents and/or landlord partners .

• Partner s with PSS to provide effective housing retention services and facilitate implementation of long-term housing goals for program participants.

• Works with PSS to assist participants to apply for, check/ maintain status on, and transition to more permanent forms of rent assistance (Choice Voucher, Project-Based Section 8, Mainstream program, HUD-specific rent assistance , etc.).

• Participate s in committee meetings related to housing—HSSN, landlord-service provider meetings, Fair Housing Council trainings, Welcome Home Coalition, etc.

• Coordinate s with PSS, New Narrative clinical team members , other providers to provide coordinated support services to participants in integrated housing settings.

• Collaborate s with PSS and supervisor to integrate peer- delivered services into the program.

• Positively represents the program, department and agency within New Narrative, to participants, with external stakeholders, and the community at-large.

• Demonstrate s strong leadership .

• Perform s other incidental and related duties , as needed/ required

• Complete s progress notes, subsidy and other housing /program-related paperwork, in a thorough and timely manner .
  

Positions Reporting: (Listing of job incumbents reporting into this position)

None

Core Competencies : ( L isting of skills, abilities, characteristics and knowledge)

• Leadership: Leads by example, works to develop team’s skills and core competencies.

• Communication: Clear, direct and concise . Keeps people informed . Listens effectively to others. Provides feedback that is respectful and offered with positive intent. Assumes positive intent of others and is open and receptive to feedback from supervisor , colleagues, clients and community partners.

• Teamwork: Effective at working in team situations . Actively participates in team meetings and other team activities . Asks for help and offers help to others as needed.

• Initiative/Results Orientation: Originates action. Finds ways to get things done.

• Quality: Promotes continuous quality improvement . Effectively utilizes data . Responds to and offers feedback for the purpose of program improvement .

• Individual Responsiveness: Identifies and responds effectively to needs of participants, teammate , other colleagues, supervisor and other stakeholders. Is a self-starter, able to prioritize activities and work both independently and in partnership with others.

• Analytical Thinking: Attention to detail over sustained periods of time and ability to analyze data and recognize trends.

• Dependability: Counted on to follow through on commitments; at work each day and on time; work completed in a timely fashion.

• Independence: Receives no instruction on routine work; with general instruction on new assignments , unfamiliar tasks .

• Aptitude: Ability to comprehend and apply new ideas , processes, procedures, or training.

• Organizational Awareness: Understands the culture of the organization; interests and concerns of various groups/individuals. Follows established polices , procedures and protocols.

• Sensitive Information: Exposure to highly confidential information. Must maintain the highest level of discretion and organization’s security at all times.

• Motivate: On-going ability to motivate others and remain consistently enthusiastic.

• Demeanor: Remaining calm in crises , empathetic, unbiased and excellent interpretation skills .
  

Education/Certificates/Licenses/Registration:

A minimum of one year experience working in mental health or related field . Must have a valid CPR and First Aid Certificate . Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) with a Degree in Psychology or related field preferred .

Experience/Qualifications:

Must have experience serving homeless individuals, and ability to provide services to dually diagnosed, and severely mentally ill persons . Applicant must possess the skills necessary to work independently . Knowledgeable on all administrative rules and other applicable laws and regulations, along with the acceptable program practices and guidelines . Understanding of community mental health systems, funding streams, and housing resources.