Affordable Housing Navigator & Client Advocate

Fresno-Rescue-Mission-Inc.; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Spanish language bonus

Job summary

The Housing Navigator at Fresno Mission assists clients in locating, securing, and retaining affordable housing, coordinating services and advocating with landlords and agencies. Responsibilities include housing assessments, plan development, application support, and benefits advocacy.

Requires an AA or higher in Social Work or related field and at least 1 year serving the mission's populations. Bilingual Spanish skills are a bonus; Christian ministry values are integral to the role.

Qualifications

• AA or higher in the areas of Drug and Alcohol, Social Work, Human Services or related field.
• At least 1 year serving the populations Fresno Mission serves.

Responsibilities

• Conducting a tenant screening and housing assessment that identifies the member’s preferences and barriers related to successful tenancy.
• Developing an individualized housing support plan based upon the housing assessment that addresses identified barriers.
• Searching for housing and presenting options.
• Assisting in securing housing, including the completion of housing applications and securing required documentation.
• Provide guidance, resources, and referrals as necessary to clients/guests/members.
• Landlord education and engagement.
• Assisting with benefits advocacy, including assistance with obtaining identification and documentation for SSI eligibility and supporting the SSI application process.
• Identifying and securing available resources to assist with subsidizing rent (such as HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), or state and local assistance programs) and matching available rental subsidy resources to clients/guests/members.
• Identifying and securing resources to cover expenses, such as security deposit, moving costs, adaptive aids, environmental modifications, moving costs, and other one-time expenses.
• Communicating and advocating on behalf of the clients/guests/members with landlords.
• Assisting in arranging for and supporting the details of the move.
• Establishing procedures and contacts to retain housing, including developing a housing support crisis plan.

Skills

Tenant screening

Housing advocacy

Social work

Spanish (bilingual)

Education

AA or higher in Social Work / Human Services / related

Job description

The Housing Navigator at Fresno Mission assists clients in locating, securing, and retaining affordable housing, coordinating services and advocating with landlords and agencies. Responsibilities include housing assessments, plan development, application support, and benefits advocacy.

Requires an AA or higher in Social Work or related field and at least 1 year serving the mission's populations. Bilingual Spanish skills are a bonus; Christian ministry values are integral to the role.