Housing Navigation, ERF

TITLE: Housing Navigator

DEPARTMENT: Programs

REPORTS TO: Program Manager, Housing Navigation

Employment Status: Full Time

Reg. Hours Worked: 40 / Week, Non-Exempt

Hybrid: Altadena

Salary: $24.04/hr

JOB SUMMARY:

The Housing Navigators provide case management and housing location services for assigned

program participants. They will mainly link participants to interim and permanent housing resources, as

well as any other community resources needed to promote wellness and stability. The Housing

Navigator is the primary point of contact with program participants and provides screening, triage,

crisis intervention, and transportation services, with the goal of moving into permanent housing.

This program will incorporate the principles of harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and

trauma-informed care. All services provided are to be culturally responsive and person-centered.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE but are not limited to the following:

• Manages a caseload of 20-25 households that have been identified as part of the program.

• Conduct intake and assessment activities with homeless individuals who are staying in motels as part of the Encampment Resolution Funding Motel Voucher program.

• Collaborates with other teams within USHS and with community partners.

• Maintain regular ongoing contact with the participant and tailor the intensity of provided services according to their level of functioning, including the frequency of face-to-face visits.

• Supports participants being vouchered in motels including management of motel vouchers and assisting participants in navigating interactions with motel vendors to preserve their vouchers.

• Assists with gathering housing eligibility documentation, such as birth certificates and other forms of identification

• Assists participants with linkage to interim and permanent housing resources, as well as any other community resources needed to promote wellness and stability including medical, mental health, and/or substance use services, employment, etc.

• Assist with completing, submitting, and coordinating rental subsidy applications, including gathering documentation and related required paperwork.

• Provides trauma-informed services that align with Housing First and Harm Reduction philosophies, are in accordance with agency and funder expectations, and abide by legal and ethical standards.

• Strives to recognize the best in each participant and supports the meaningful change they seek through building relationships and utilizing motivational interviewing techniques and strength-based case management techniques.

• Acts as an advocate for participants who are experiencing housing barriers (e.g. poor credit, evictions, etc.), while establishing and maintaining a professional relationship with landlords and property owners.

• Maintains accurate and timely documentation in HMIS and charts in accordance with agency policies and expectations.

• Transports participants as needed to essential appointments and conducts visits within the community in SPA 3 and Los Angeles County.

• Participates in weekly supervision and staff meetings, as well as Programs Department and agency-wide meetings and trainings.

• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work indoors in a temperature-controlled environment with occasional exposure to outdoor weather and driving conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• Stand and sit for long periods of time; move and walk to various locations; climb stairs, stoop, kneel, reach, pull, push, bend, twist, and occasionally lift and or move objects. Use hands to finger, handle, or feel.

• See, hear, and speak clearly in order to give and receive information and instructions, perform administrative work, and drive motor vehicles including passenger vans.

• Ability to interact with other employees, clients, customers, and members of the public.

• Ability to work effectively under time constraints, prioritize work, multi-task, and adapt to changing work demands.

• Gather, analyze, synthesize, and classify information.

• Transcribe, enter, and post data.

• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.

• May require exposure to blood-borne pathogens and infectious agents.

• Requires the use of a computer keyboard for substantial periods of time.

• Able to travel to off-site meetings or other activities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of crisis and permanent housing resources throughout Los Angeles County.

• Knowledge of housing issues in San Gabriel Valley preferred.

• Knowledge of HUD guidelines and experience working with subsidized housing programs.

• Current knowledge of best practice models, including Housing First, Trauma Informed Care, Mental Health Recovery, Harm Reduction, and Critical Time Intervention.

• Proficient in the use of laptop computers and Microsoft Windows, Office software programs, and Google Apps. (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, G-mail, Docs).

• Ability to accurately enter client data and progress notes in the Homeless Management Information System, and run program management reports.

• Proficient with office communication equipment and machines (telephone, copier, calculator, fax machine, personal computer, laptop, printer, and scanner).

• Understanding of case management practices and ability to accurately and clearly document case notes.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Possess a valid California driver's license and have access to a properly registered vehicle.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of one year of experience providing housing location or case management support to persons experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, including working with persons experiencing chronic health issues, mental health needs, or with histories of substance use OR

• Have a minimum of two (2) years of experience in a related human services field OR housing field that gives them skills listed above.

• Bachelors Degree in Social Work, or related field, preferred.

• Bi-lingual English/Spanish preferred.

• Successful demonstration of required skills through current or past USHS employment may be considered in lieu of the standard required years of experience.

UNION STATION HOMELESS SERVICES EMBRACES DIVERSITY

We embrace our differences and are committed to furthering our culture of inclusion and belonging. Our

commitment to racial equity within the organization is crucial to who we are and the clients we serve.

Committed to being an anti-racist organization and sharing the unique cultural experiences from our

networks, we offer annual racial equity training, host ongoing learning experiences through our lunch n'

learns, and participate in ongoing mental health trainings.

We promote acceptance, respect, teamwork, and fosters diversity in the workplace. We believe every

individual has a story, past, and a unique set of skills that shape who we are and through this network,

we can learn from each other to become better versions of ourselves personally and professionally.

Through our staff-led network focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and accessibility, we

work to communicate, educate, and express diverse cultivation through our eight Diversity Networks.

We are honored that the Diversity Network has been recognized as part of the Community Impact

Awards presented by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

Union Station Homeless Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer