Housing Navigator, Safe Parking Program – North County

New Beginnings Counseling Center Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 34,440 - 41,328; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

403b contribution and matching

Generous paid time off

Job summary

A local non-profit organization in Santa Barbara seeks a Housing Navigator to assist homeless clients in securing permanent housing. Responsibilities include locating housing, managing client relationships, and conducting outreach to property owners. Candidates should have a Bachelor's Degree and at least 3 years of experience in non-profit settings, along with proficiency in case management and strong communication skills. The position offers a starting hourly rate of $25.00 – $30.00, alongside benefits and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of non-profit or related experience preferred.
• Must be educated or have relevant work experience in Human Services or related field.
• Experience working with homeless individuals and families is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients in locating housing and applying for housing assistance.
• Collaborate with property managers and maintain relationships.
• Conduct housing inspections and ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

Knowledge of housing resources

Experience in case management

Communication skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related field

Tools

HMIS

Job description

Overview

Full Time, Hourly Non-Exempt. The Housing Navigator works closely with clients and prospective property owners and managers to secure permanent housing opportunities for homeless individuals and families. Locates available housing for clients, provides case management to clients to help them to stabilize in their housing, conducts outreach to develop ongoing landlord relationships and provide them with educational information regarding subsidies, and participates in coordinated entry.

Responsibilities

In Consultation With The Client, The Housing Navigator

• Determines housing barriers, preferences, needs and goals.
• Assists clients in completing SSI/SSDI and other entitlement applications.
• Administers the VI-SPDAT and matches clients to housing type via Coordinated Entry System protocols.
• Networks and collaborates with area Housing Resources and maintains a presence at all meetings.
• Maintains a relationship with existing property managers/owners and establishes new relationships with those willing to house vulnerable and/or low income clients.
• Establishes, updates, maintains and communicates a list of available housing opportunities at least twice per week.
• Consistently meets all agency assigned outcome goals with respect to number of rental property contacts and number of people served, and exited to permanent housing.
• Prepares materials for making presentations to realtors, property managers and property owners or groups thereof.
• Fields inquiries from prospective property owners to provide information on New Beginnings’ services, listen to their needs and ensure submission of completed housing applications where appropriate.
• Assists clients in their search for housing, filling out rental applications, interpreting leases, moving and understanding tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Conducts housing inspections and assesses for compliance with industry regulations and inspection readiness ensuring that clients have a successful transition into housing.
• Assists clients with management through connection to community resources, employment search and readiness preparation, connection to medical, dental, mental health, and other basic needs services.

Case Conferencing

• Ensures effective service delivery by notifying clients of all housing opportunities and coordinating individualized housing plans with clients and any involved community partners.
• Mediate with landlords, obtaining utilities and making moving arrangements when indicated.
• Maintain Client Records.
• Maintains accurate documentation of service objectives and outcomes as well as other services in accordance with Federal, State, County and New Beginnings guidelines.
• Maintains client related data systems, including case notes and HMIS entries.
• Maintains a Property Manager/Owner Contact Log to meet set expectations.
• Prepares reports including but not limited to: outcomes, successes, etc.
• Familiarity with current housing market information, housing trends and available resources.
• Knowledge of effective business/professional contact techniques.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements

• A minimum of 3 years of non-profit or related experience strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Real Estate Studies, Human Services or comparable combination of education/work related experience required.
• Experience in a social services setting with working knowledge of case management systems and planning techniques.
• Knowledge of housing resources, subsidy programs, and the Continuum of Care for homeless persons.
• Experience working with homeless individuals and families is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in property management or real estate, and/or with business development is strongly preferred.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel. HMIS a plus.
• Must have own transportation to conduct job related travel.
• Must successfully complete a background check and meet insurance carrier’s requirements for approval to drive.

Work hours are Monday – Friday, 9-5 although there will be some nighttime and weekend hours on occasion to attend community events, meet with clients and landlords, or attend to emergent client and administrative needs. Starting salary is $25.00 – $30.00 per hour with medical and dental benefits provided, 403b contribution and matching, as well as generous paid time off. Position begins ASAP.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ancestry; national origin; religion/creed; sex/sexual orientation; gender; gender identity/expression, transition; political affiliation or beliefs; disability, medical condition, generic information, marital status; military/veteran status; pregnancy and conditions related thereto.; or any other characteristic protected by law (as defined by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act — Government Code Section 12900-12996), except where such discrimination is based on a bona fide occupational qualification.