Yhdp Housing Navigator

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Act as a primary point of contact for youth and young adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness who are referred to, contact, or are identified through outreach for the YHDP program.
• Complete intake applications, eligibility screening, individualized assessments, and required documentation; support entry into Coordinated Entry and ensure required Coordinated Entry documentation is maintained in the participant file.
• Assist youth in understanding available housing options, including Transitional Housing and Rapid Re-Housing, and support participant choice based on eligibility, Coordinated Entry prioritization, individual needs, and unit availability.
• Provide housing navigation services, including identifying housing barriers, developing strategies to address barriers, locating appropriate housing opportunities, assisting with housing applications and required documentation, and supporting youth through the housing search and placement process.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with landlords, property managers, housing authorities, community organizations, schools, county personnel, and other housing and service providers to expand housing opportunities and strengthen referral pathways for youth.
• Communicate with landlords and property managers as appropriate to support housing placement, address barriers, and help resolve issues that may interfere with successful tenancy while maintaining participant confidentiality and choice.
• Connect participants to mainstream and community resources for which they may be eligible, including education, employment/workforce development, health and behavioral health care, substance use services, economic support, childcare, transportation, and other supportive services.
• Coordinate warm handoffs to YHDP case management staff when participants enter Transitional Housing or Rapid Re-Housing and collaborate with the case management team to support continuity of services and long-term housing stability.
• Provide services using youth-centered, strength-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and positive youth development practices, with an emphasis on participant choice, safety, empowerment, and individualized support.
• Monitor and document participant contacts, housing search activities, referrals, progress, outcomes, and other performance measures required by the grant.
• Enter accurate and timely participant and service data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and maintain records in accordance with HUD, Continuum of Care, HMIS, and Agency requirements.
• Maintain complete, accurate, confidential, and audit-ready participant files and documentation in accordance with HUD, YHDP, Coordinated Entry, State/Federal, funder, and Agency requirements.
• Conduct outreach and educate community partners about YHDP, program eligibility, referral pathways, youth homelessness, and available housing and supportive services.
• Participate in required YHDP, Continuum of Care, Coordinated Entry, HMIS, housing/landlord, and other grant-related meetings and trainings.
• Collaborate with community partners and the local homeless response system to identify gaps and barriers affecting youth access to housing and services and communicate identified needs to program leadership.
• Support the goals of the YHDP Coordinated Community Plan, including Stable Housing, Permanent Connections, Education and Employment, and Social-Emotional Well-Being.
• Understand and articulate program guidelines, eligibility requirements, allowable services, and requirements established by HUD, the Continuum of Care, and other funding sources.
• Ability to travel throughout the service area for outreach, participant meetings, housing searches, landlord engagement, unit-related activities, and other job-related responsibilities.
• Prepare and enter rental assistance payments into the appropriate database or payment system for review and approval in accordance with YHDP, HUD, and Agency requirements.
• Prepare, enter, and track purchase orders and other program-related payment requests for eligible participant expenses.
• Obtain and maintain required supporting documentation for rental assistance, security deposits, utilities, and other eligible housing-related costs.
• Coordinate with landlords and property managers to obtain leases, W-9s, payment information, invoices, and other documentation necessary to process housing-related payments.
• Review payment requests for completeness and ensure required eligibility and supporting documentation is present prior to submission for approval.
• Track pending housing-related payments and coordinate with appropriate program and fiscal staff to support timely processing.
• Maintain accurate participant financial documentation and records for grant monitoring, reporting, and audit purposes.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attend appropriate community meetings, committees, outreach events, and training sessions related to youth homelessness, housing, and grant funding.
• Assist with researching housing resources, rental opportunities, community resources, eligibility requirements, and information needed to support program participants.
• Perform other reasonable related tasks as requested by the Supportive Housing Coordinator.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None.

Benefits of the Housing Navigator:

Dental insurance

Employee assistance program

Health insurance

HSA

Life insurance

Paid time off

Professional development assistance

Retirement plan

Vision insurance

Short-term and Long-term disability

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: associate or bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, psychology, sociology, community development, or a related field preferred; relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education. Experience working in social services, housing, homelessness services, youth services, case management, resource navigation, or a related field is preferred. Knowledge of community resources and programs serving low-income individuals and families is beneficial.

Housing Navigators should have knowledge of or the ability to learn housing navigation, landlord engagement, Coordinated Entry, HMIS, HUD/Continuum of Care requirements, and community resource systems. Experience engaging youth and young adults, particularly those experiencing homelessness or housing instability, is preferred. practice of trauma-informed care, Positive Youth Development, crisis response, and strengths-based practices is beneficial. Ability to develop effective working relationships with youth, landlords, community partners, and service providers is required.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with youth, landlords, service providers, community partners, and coworkers. Ability to explain program and housing requirements in an understandable manner. Maintains confidentiality of all participants and Agency information.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Manages time and program resources effectively, maintains organized records, submits reports accurately and on time, and completes work by established deadlines. Ability to calculate figures and amounts and review basic housing and financial information as required by the position.

REASONING ABILITY: Detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time effectively. Self-starter with a proactive attitude who can anticipate participant and program needs. Demonstrates sound judgment, problem-solving skills, flexibility, and the ability to respond appropriately to housing barriers, crisis situations, and changing participant needs.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Ability to work in a team-oriented, collaborative environment and independently with limited supervision. Strong relationship-building, advocacy, organization, documentation, and computer skills are required. Ability to engage youth using a non-judgmental, strengths-based approach and to collaborate effectively with landlords and community systems.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Valid driver’s license with current vehicle insurance. Required HUD, YHDP, Coordinated Entry, HMIS, and Agency training must be completed and maintained as applicable to the position.

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 essential functions.

• Ability to travel when required.
• Ability to cope with pressure and challenges. 
• Ability to operate computers and other office equipment.
• Ability to work irregular hours when needed.

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 essential functions.

• Ability to work and communicate with diverse groups of people using a non-judgmental, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and youth-centered approach both internally and externally of the Agency.
• Ability to work in a team atmosphere and willingness to help others when needed.
• Ability to participate and adhere to the development of creating an Agency culture of quality improvement, compliance, and high ethical performance within the Agency.

This job description is not all-inclusive, and an employee will also perform other reasonable related business duties as assigned by supervisor and other management.

This organization reserves the right to revise or change the job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

ICAA is an equal opportunity employer and provider operating under an approved Affirmative Action Plan. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply.