Family Housing Navigator

United Way of the Plains; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

United Way Worldwide is seeking a Family Housing Navigator to support families in Sedgwick County, assisting with housing access, supportive services, and rapid stabilization.

The role emphasizes compassionate, relationship-based service, collaboration with community providers, and trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices to help families achieve long-term housing stability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• At least one year of social service experience with a preference for experience working with persons experiencing homelessness, and/or homeless service providers.
• Proficiency in using computers, including MS Office, the Internet, and databases.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong relationship and team-building skills.
• Proven critical thinking skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Capable of working effectively with limited supervision.
• Able to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake and assessment with housing-insecure families to identify barriers to housing stability and immediate needs.
• Work collaboratively with families to develop individualized housing stabilization plans focused on resolving housing crises.
• Utilize diversion strategies to help families remain housed or quickly identify safe alternative housing options.
• Administer and coordinate access to flexible housing funds to prevent homelessness and support rapid stabilization.
• Determine when a housing crisis cannot be resolved through diversion and coordinate referrals to appropriate emergency shelter programs.
• Provide short-term Rapid Rehousing assistance for eligible homeless families with income, including housing search, landlord engagement, and stabilization support.
• Connect families to community resources that address barriers to housing stability, including workforce development, employment services, childcare, healthcare, and financial counseling.
• Determine eligibility for Department for Children and Families (DCF) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) housing-related supports.
• Complete all required applications, verifications, and documentation necessary to access TANF or other financial assistance.
• Maintain accurate and timely case records, documentation, and data entry in required databases and reporting systems.
• Provide ongoing case management and follow-up to monitor family progress toward housing stability.
• Collaborate with landlords, shelters, service providers, and community partners to expand housing options and coordinate services.
• Ensure services are delivered in a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive manner.
• Participate in team meetings, case conferencing, and community coordination efforts to support system-wide responses to family homelessness.
• Maintain knowledge of local housing resources, benefits, and best practices in homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing.

Skills

Strong communication

Relationship building

Team collaboration

Critical thinking

Multitasking

Confidentiality

Independence

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Summary

Are you passionate about helping families find stability and creating pathways to a stronger future? Do you believe that every family deserves the opportunity to have a safe and stable home? Are you a compassionate, solution-oriented professional who thrives on building relationships, navigating challenges, and working collaboratively to help others succeed? If you are committed to serving families in our community and advancing the mission of ending homelessness, we invite you to apply to join the Coalition to End Homelessness team.

The Family Housing Navigator is a full-time position with the Coalition to End Homelessness in Sedgwick County, a collaborative initiative housed at United Way of the Plains that coordinates the local homeless response system across Wichita and Sedgwick County. This role works directly with families with minor children who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability, helping them access housing, supportive services, and resources needed to achieve long-term housing stability.

The ideal candidate is a compassionate and resourceful professional who enjoys working with people, building trust, and finding creative solutions to complex challenges. This position requires strong communication and organizational skills, the ability to collaborate with community providers, and a commitment to coordinated, client-centered service. The Family Housing Navigator will work alongside families and service partners to identify barriers, connect households to available resources, and support successful transitions to permanent housing while advancing the common good in our community.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions

• Conduct intake and assessment with housing-insecure families to identify barriers to housing stability and immediate needs.


• Work collaboratively with families to develop individualized housing stabilization plans focused on resolving housing crises.


• Utilize diversion strategies to help families remain housed or quickly identify safe alternative housing options.


• Administer and coordinate access to flexible housing funds to prevent homelessness and support rapid stabilization.


• Determine when a housing crisis cannot be resolved through diversion and coordinate referrals to appropriate emergency shelter programs.


• Provide short-term Rapid Rehousing assistance for eligible homeless families with income, including housing search, landlord engagement, and stabilization support.


• Connect families to community resources that address barriers to housing stability, including workforce development, employment services, childcare, healthcare, and financial counseling.


• Determine eligibility for Department for Children and Families (DCF) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) housing-related supports.


• Complete all required applications, verifications, and documentation necessary to access TANF or other financial assistance.


• Maintain accurate and timely case records, documentation, and data entry in required databases and reporting systems.


• Provide ongoing case management and follow-up to monitor family progress toward housing stability.


• Collaborate with landlords, shelters, service providers, and community partners to expand housing options and coordinate services.


• Ensure services are delivered in a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive manner.


• Participate in team meetings, case conferencing, and community coordination efforts to support system-wide responses to family homelessness.


• Maintain knowledge of local housing resources, benefits, and best practices in homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing.

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred.


• At least one year of social service experience with a preference for experience working with persons experiencing homelessness, and/or homeless service providers.


• Proficiency in using computers, including MS Office, the Internet, and databases.


• Strong written and oral communication skills.


• Strong relationship and team-building skills.


• Proven critical thinking skills.


• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.


• Capable of working effectively with limited supervision.


• Able to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive information.

Non-Negotiable Hiring Criteria:

• Naturally curious and self-motivated in a never-ending pursuit of continuous improvement.


• Ability to interact positively with individuals and groups.


• Must be flexible and multitask oriented; can adapt to changing priorities.


• Can work independently and responsibly while managing numerous projects simultaneously.


• Dependable and reliable to meet deadlines; remains calm under pressure.


• Lead by personal example; your word is your bond.


• Servant leader who can positively influence others not under their control.


• Possess excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills.


• Helps create a work environment that embraces and appreciates diversity.

Core Competencies for all United Way Professionals

• Mission-Focused: The United Way Professional’s top priority is to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities. This competency drives their performance and professional motivations.


• Relationship-Oriented: The United Way Professional understands that people come before process and is astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal.


• Collaborator: The United Way Professional understands the roles and contributions of all sectors of the community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement.


• Results-Driven: The United Way Professional is dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good including creating, resourcing, scaling, and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact.


• Brand Steward: The United Way Professional is a steward of the brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network.

Work Schedule

Office hours are primarily Monday-Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM, though extended hours may be warranted at any point in time.