Housing Navigation & Sustainability Coordinator

FRONT ST MASTER; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

FRONT ST MASTER in Santa Cruz, CA seeks a Housing Navigator to assist individuals in sustaining housing secured through Central Coast Alliance Housing Navigation services. You will provide case management, planning, services, monitoring, and coordination with other agencies to support housing stability.

The role focuses on early identification of at-risk situations, budgeting instruction, and advocacy to connect tenants with resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field.
• Two years' experience in social services.
• Understanding of Santa Cruz County housing/rental market.
• English reading, speaking, writing proficient.

Responsibilities

• Provide housing tenancy and sustaining services.
• Identify and intervene for behaviors jeopardizing housing.
• Educate tenants on rights, responsibilities, and budget skills.
• Coordinate with landlords and case management providers.
• Advocate and link to community resources to prevent eviction.
• Assist with benefits advocacy and SSI documentation.
• Review and update crisis or housing support plans.

Skills

Case management

Tenant advocacy

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Two years' experience in social services

Job description

SUMMARY: Assist individuals to sustain housing acquired through Central Coast Alliance Housing Navigation services, offer case management for tenants including planning, services, monitoring, coordinating with other agencies and other activities to help retain housing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.I. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES are outlined below. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities and/or special needs to perform essential functions.A. Housing Tenancy and Sustaining ServicesProviding early identification and intervention for behaviors that may jeopardize housing, such as late rental payment, hoarding, substance use, and other lease violations.2Education and training on the role, rights and responsibilities of the tenant and landlordCoaching on developing and maintaining key relationships with landlords/property managers with a goal of fostering successful tenancyCoordination with the landlord and case management provider to address identified issues that could impact housing stabilityAssistance in resolving disputes with landlords and/or neighbors to reduce risk of eviction or other adverse action including developing a repayment plan or identifying funding in situations in which the client owes back rent or payment for damage to the unitAdvocacy and linkage with community resources to prevent eviction when housing is or may potentially become jeopardizedAssisting with benefits advocacy, including assistance with obtaining identification and documentation for SSI eligibility and supporting the SSI application process. Such service can be subcontracted out to retain needed specialized skillsetAssistance with the annual housing recertification processCoordinating with the tenant to review, update and modify their housing support and crisis plan on a regular basis to reflect current needs and address existing or recurring housing retention barriersContinuing assistance with lease compliance, including ongoing support with activities related to household managementHealth and safety visits, including unit habitability inspectionsOther prevention and early intervention services identified in the crisis plan that are activated when housing is jeopardized (e.g., assisting with reasonable accommodation requests that were not initially required upon move-in)Providing independent living and life skills including assistance with and training on budgeting, including financial literacy and connection to community resourcesB. Teamwork and CollaborationMaintain cooperative and professional working relationships and communications.Give input to management on improving the quality of programs and assists in monitoring program effectiveness and conduct tenant satisfaction surveys.II. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Knowledge, skill, or ability required to perform the job.Education and/or ExperienceB.A. or B.S. in social work or a related field; or two years' experience working in social services.Understanding of the Santa Cruz County Housing/Rental marketPrevious experience assisting individuals suffering from chronic homelessness greatly preferred.C. Language SkillsRead, speak, write and understand English well enough to follow and share the regulations, requirements and communications for providing support to the tenants.Able to effectively present information and respond to questions.