Housing Navigator

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California began in December 1944 when a group of Lutheran congregations in San Diego came together to discuss how to better assist families in need. They began discussing how to form a Welfare Commission. Their vision expanded when they came together with another group of Lutheran congregations in Los Angeles having the very same conversation. Lutheran Social Services of Southern California was officially incorporated in 1946 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit social service agency. The mission has stayed true to its earliest beginnings, to be a servant to those in need. Today LSSSC serves thousands of individuals and families throughout Southern California with over 70 different programs/services at nearly 20 different locations. We are part of the Lutheran Services in America (LSA) network and strive to serve those in need with dignity and respect. 

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California’s Mission: Ignited by faith, we live out God’s love by embracing, equipping, and empowering vulnerable individuals, families, and communities toward self-sufficiency.

POSITION SUMMARY:  Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Housing Navigator is responsible for providing information and guidance to individuals to enable them to meet their housing goals. With a person-centered approach in the forefront, the Housing Navigator must be solutions oriented and problem solvers, an advocate for individuals served, who are understanding and act as the individual’s strongest advocate and supporter. 

The Housing Navigator provides the following comprehensive services: individual housing transition services, focused on supporting activities and processes associated with an individual’s preparation for and transition to housing, and individual housing and tenancy sustaining services, which support individuals in obtaining and maintaining stable housing. These services may be delivered through various program components, including but not limited to housing navigation and housing-related education, in alignment with program and funding requirements.

All services must be delivered using person-centered practices and in alignment with HCBS requirements, with clear documentation distinguishing between service codes for compliance and billing purposes. 

This role includes providing individual housing navigation services and delivering housing-related training and education, including services aligned with Service Codes 089 and 102, with clear documentation separating service types in accordance with program and funding requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. 

• Assist Program Manager in developing and managing housing and counseling program including prevention and early intervention services, continuous training in being a good tenant, coaching on developing and maintaining key relationships, advocacy, and support for possible housing related disputes. 
• Assist Program Manager in planning and creating housing related workshops and training activities that are in alignment with a person-centered plan (PCP).
• Serve as a presenter/facilitator for workshops, including housing access, tenancy skills, and shared living education, ensuring accessibility and participant engagement.
• Identify and coordinate housing-related resources such as move-in assistance, utility setup, relocation logistics, and linkage to community-based supports, with the goal of facilitating successful housing transition and promoting long-term tenancy stability in alignment with individual housing goals.
• Provide direct housing navigation services, including but not limited to housing search, application assistance, lease-up coordination, and tenancy support.
• Develop, monitor, and track individualized housing support plans and provide necessary tools/resources to overcome identified barriers to meet individual housing goals and objectives and provide ongoing support to maintain housing stability and tenancy. 
• Implement daily scheduled program activities approved by the Program Manager.
• Complete incident reports within 24 hours of the incident occurrence.
• Maintain a consistently safe environment for the participants and ensure compliance with regulatory agencies. 
• Participate in staff meetings and training sessions.
• Network and build relationships with surrounding community to increase housing resources. 
• Review the scope of work requirements the Program Manager assigns.
• Fulfill program or contract requirements as outlined in the contract or as directed by the Program Manager.
• Serve clients and community with empathy and awareness of appropriate boundaries. 
• Follow all HIPAA rules for compliance. 
• Engage in program development and report all program matters to the Program Manager. 
• Document all services in the Electronic Health Record (EHR), ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and clear distinction between service types in alignment with program and funding requirements.

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments. Ability to manage and deescalate participants experiencing distress or escalated situations; Responds promptly to participants’ needs; Responds to requests for service and assistance.
• Interpersonal - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings; Demonstrates ability to facilitate group trainings and workshops.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed; Recognizes accomplishments of other team members. 
• Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results. 
• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Inspires respect and trust; Accepts feedback from others; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates; Gives appropriate recognition to others; Displays passion and optimism; Mobilizes others to fulfill the vision. 
• Collaboration and Team Support – Participates in team planning, decision-making, and process improvement efforts; supports team collaboration; contributes to a positive team environment; shares knowledge and resources; demonstrates accountability in individual responsibilities.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
• Ethics - Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Diversity - Experience with and understanding of the needs of persons with developmental disabilities.
• Organizational Support - Ability to comply with all agencies, federal, state and regulatory body employment requirements; Ability to provide the following: valid California driver’s license, Department of Motor Vehicles print out of driving record (must be submitted by date of hire), proof of tuberculosis screening (within one year prior to employment or within seven days of hire), signed criminal record clearance statement (at time of employment).
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: The ideal candidate must have experience supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. All candidates must complete and pass the Live Scan background check. To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements written below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications:

· Experience in housing services or case management

· At least 6 months of experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities

· Understanding of IDD populations and person-centered practices

· Strong interpersonal and organizational skills

· Ability to work independently and collaboratively
 

Preferred Qualifications:

· Experience delivering trainings or workshops and familiarity with housing navigation services 

· Familiarity with housing navigation services

· Basic knowledge of ADU regulations, housing development considerations, and local zoning requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Minimum 6 months of experience supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities required; experience in housing services, case management, or related fields preferred.

Language Ability: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 

Math Ability: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. 

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

Physical Demands: 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 frequently required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.