Housing Navigation Specialist

homelesssolutions; Toms River (NJ); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

401k

Job summary

Homeless Solutions, Inc. is seeking a Housing Navigation Specialist to work with guests in the Main Shelter and Transitional Housing Program, assisting them to obtain housing subsidies or permanent housing opportunities.

You will gather required documentation, transport clients to viewings and lease signings, advocate with landlords, and coordinate with staff to create realistic housing plans and timelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or relevant experience with a minimum of two years working with the homeless and/or underserved population.
• Knowledge of federal and local housing resources and fair housing laws.
• Experience using HMIS a plus.
• Valid driver license with a clean driving record.
• Physical abilities as detailed in full job description.
• Satisfactory results of applicable periodic background checks is a requirement.

Responsibilities

• Assess housing needs and barriers and meet with participants to assist permanent housing goals.
• Navigate housing subsidy systems for maximum outcomes for clients.
• Identify voucher and permanent housing opportunities for which participants are eligible and acquire necessary information.
• Coordinate transportation to housing events and activities as needed.
• Maintain documentation and tracking files and work with staff/volunteers to ensure open waitlists are considered.
• Develop housing plans with target dates and assist guests with placement into safe, affordable housing.
• Coordinate with Programs & Services staff to ensure wrap-around coordination for housing.
• Advocate for clients with external agencies and landlords.

Skills

Experience with homeless population

Advocacy

Client coordination

Education

Bachelor's Degree or relevant experience

Tools

HMIS

Job description

Homeless Solutions, Inc. has been the leader in its field in Morris County for over 40 years and we value our staff as the most important part of our continued success. The Housing Navigation Specialist works directly with guests in our Main Shelter and participants in our Transitional Housing Program who are eligible for or are receiving housing subsidies or other imminent permanent housing opportunities by helping them compile necessary documentation, transporting them to apartment viewings and lease signings, and advocating for them to landlords, property managers, and other housing entities. Ideal candidates will appreciate the opportunity to gain hands on experience in the field of social services social work and direct care for vulnerable populations, while assisting in the progress of our clients from a place of homelessness to independence and appropriate living environments.

The schedule for this onsite position is Monday-Friday, with at least one evening (until at least 7 pm) required each week. We encourage applicants with lived experience to apply. Starting rate of pay offered at $24/hour.

Responsibilities include:

• Assess the housing needs and barriers of program participants and meet with participants as needed to assist them in working towards their permanent housing goals.
• Navigate existing housing subsidy systems to maximum outcomes for clients
• Identify voucher and permanent housing opportunities for which participants are eligible and acquire necessary application and other relevant information.
• Coordinate transportation and/or provide transportation in agency vehicles as needed to ensure client access to events and activities related to housing opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with other staff and agency volunteers in order to ensure program participants have applied to all open affordable housing waitlists for which they are eligible. Maintain documentation and tracking files.
• Collaborate with staff to develop appropriate housing plans and realistic target dates and assist guests with successful placement into safe, affordable and sustainable housing.
• Coordinate with all applicable Programs & Services staff to ensure wrap-around coordination related to housing.
• Client advocacy with external agencies and landlords.

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor's Degree or relevant experience with a minimum of two years working with the homeless and/or underserved population
• Knowledge of federal and local housing resources and fair housing laws.
• Experience using HMIS a plus.
• Valid driver license with a clean driving record.
• Physical abilities as detailed in full job description.
• Satisfactory results of applicable periodic background checks is a requirement.

Benefits:

• Full time permanent staff of Homeless Solutions are eligible to enroll in company sponsored medical, dental and life insurance coverage plans in accordance with HSI policies.
• In addition, all staff are eligible immediately upon hiring to participate in a 401k retirement savings plan, including up to a 6% company paid match.
• Generous PTO plans include paid personal, vacation and sick leave as well as 10 floating holidays annually.

HSI is an equal opportunity employer, and we appreciate and celebrate the diversity of our staff. We believe that diversity not only includes race and gender, but also age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion and many other parts of an individual's identity. HSI recruits, hires, trains, promotes, compensates and administers all policy and actions with equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. The points of view of all of our staff are important, and supporting a culture of inclusion is everyone's responsibility.