Housing Navigator

Housing Navigator

Job Summary

Incumbent will assist clients in their search for securing housing. The Housing Navigator works closely with clients to provide supportive services in their housing search with prospective property owners and managers to promote permanent or supportive housing opportunities for clients. Assists clients filling out rental applications, completing supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, interpreting leases and understanding tenant rights and responsibilities. Provides administrative assistance and works closely with other team members. Will have experience and fully understand all functionalities of LAHSA, HIMS, CES, etc.

• Assist participants in development of a strength-based/solution-focused individualized or family goal and action plan that promotes permanent housing and self-sufficiency; develop an effective, timely internal/external referral network in order to ensure ongoing direction and support as needed.

• Assess housing barriers of individuals experiencing homelessness to determine housing and service needs.
• Assist clients with housing search and housing placement, assist in completing rental applications, supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, interpreting leases and understanding tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Conduct home inspections to ensure housing is habitable.
• Build partnerships with LAHSA, CES organizations, rental offices, and housing managers.
• Ensure the client applications is in compliance with funding eligibility requirements.
• Document and enter all information into database and maintain all files organized.

• Ensure and maintain accurate daily logs records, monthly outcome reports, and files for each housing client.
• Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client's behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and or maintain housing.
• Participate in the negotiation, preparation, and administration of leases and housing assistance contracts
• Apply knowledge or create workshops of residential lease contracts to educate clients of their rights and responsibilities.
• Maintain contact with customers to ensure activities occur within time limits and in accordance with program and funding source requirements.
• Collaborate and work closely with Workforce Specialists and Workforce Career Counselors to assist clients in the use of resources and technology for job search, job placement and career advancement activities.

• Refer to other UAII or community services as appropriate.
• Process program paperwork in accordance with agency program deadlines and prepare and submit monthly reports.
• Ability to represent the agency and communicates accordingly at identified community, government, and/or business meetings

• Conduct outreach at events and use of social media to coordinate community relations and to promote Housing program
• Keep Management well-informed regarding activities, pending issues and potential problems
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent education and experience.

• Minimum one (1) year of experience in related work primarily working with the homeless population.
• Experience working with LAHSA.

• Case management and intake experience.
• Experience working with the American Indian/Alaskan Native community.

• Experience working with nonprofit organizations, community groups, and performance-based government contracts.

• Ability to represent the agency and communicates accordingly at identified community, government, and/or business meetings.
• Knowledge of Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (PL93-638).
• Knowledge of Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (PL 94-437).
• Knowledge of the Affordable Care Act (PL 111-148).
• Strong understanding and sensitivity to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) cultures and lifestyles, and work effectively with AI/AN population.
• Effective oral and written communications skills with sensitivity to lifestyles of targeted participants.
• Skills in operating personal computer using a variety of computer software (Microsoft Office, Adobe, Microsoft Teams, Zoom).
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of client and personnel information, and comply with all applicable federal and state privacy laws, as well as UAII policy (HIPAA, HITECH, etc.).
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with management, coworkers, and outside contacts.
• Ability to keep up with a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to learn and apply program/agency operating policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to interact with various people on various, and at times, complex issues.
• Ability to work independently as well as with teams.

The work environment characteristics described here represent those employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and/or sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit and climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

• Eligibility to work in the US.
• Fingerprint clearance.
• Pass a post-offer drug test.
• Negative TB test result (annual requirement).
• Proof of vaccination against the flu (annual requirement).
• Proof of full vaccination against COVID, including a Booster.
• Valid CA driver's license, if driving for the company and/or a requirement of the position.
• Maintain auto insurance coverage, if driving for the company.

United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment. UAII is a drug-free workplace and complies with ADA regulations. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

This Job Description describes the essential duties and qualifications. It is not an exhaustive statement of all the job duties, responsibilities, or qualifications; management has the exclusive right to alter or add to this job description at any time without notice. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional duties as assigned.