Posting: About Community Housing Network-Housing Navigator
May 24, 2022
Community Housing Network (CHN) is a nonprofit organization committed to providing homes for people in need through proven strategies of homeless prevention, housing assistance, affordable housing development, community education, advocacy, and referrals. Since 2001, CHN has served as the leading housing resource nonprofit organization in southeast Michigan and serves thousands of families and individuals annually who are facing homelessness, people with disabilities, low-income households, and other vulnerable Michigan residents.
Community Housing Network is Opening Doors and Transforming Lives through a work environment dedicated to empowering a work/life balance success through our Core Values: Inclusion, Integrity, Innovation and Passion.
CHN is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness which includes:
- Creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace to provide better services for participants and staff.
- Utilizing a trauma informed approach to build rapport with vulnerable populations.
- Making available educational resources related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, all the while providing a platform for conversation.
Community Housing Network provides excellent employment opportunities with competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefit package. All full-time employees enjoy a rich package of benefits including:
- Health Insurance
- Dental
- Vision
- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
- 401k
- Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Voluntary Products: Aflac, Short Term Disability Insurance, Life Insurance
- Generous Vacation and Medical Leave Time
Community Housing Network is an equal-opportunity employer recognized by the Detroit Free Press as a Top 100 Workplace and honored as a Crain’s Cool Place to Work.
Housing Navigator
Department: Short-Term Programs
Reports to: Director of Short-Term Programs
Employment Status Classification: Part Time, Hourly
Hourly Rate: $17.00
Job Description Summary:
Provides housing navigation assistance for program participants who are homeless, fleeing domestic violence and/or human trafficking, and who are at imminent risk of homelessness. The Housing Navigator provides support to the Short-Term Programs team by utilizing housing first practices to reduce housing barriers for individuals and families who are seeking permanent housing. These services may include providing general information about various housing programs, developing action plans, providing housing guidance and support, and serving as advocate on behalf of participant to assist them in securing housing. This role also builds partnerships with landlords to increase the supply of affordable housing. This is a grant funded position.
Essential Functions:
- Collaborate with Housing Resource Community Coordinator and the identified potential program participant to assess housing strengths, including oversight of barriers to support eligible program participants on a path to maintaining long-term housing.
- Exploring affordable housing opportunities for potential program participants to assist in identifying housing of their choice that meets program requirements.
- Perform daily searches for available units; maintain an inventory of units that meet program criteria.
- Meet face-to-face with program participants to complete apartment applications, housing waitlist applications, and other housing support paperwork.
- Document all contacts and produce appropriate reports related to the case file and Homeless Management Information System per grant and agency requirements.
- Explore and identify additional community resources to assist with obtaining and maintaining housing.
- Leads team discussions regarding program participant housing status updates and develop possible solutions to ensure best support for the program participant’s success.
- Continue to refine skills and stay abreast related to best practices and program changes through additional trainings and community events as requested by the supervisor.
- Travel is required within the community to meet with program participants and complete work requirements.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Skills:
- 1-2 years of human service-related experience and/or training.
- Currently or previously participated in a rental assistance program such as Rapid Rehousing, Permanent Supportive Housing, Housing Choice Voucher, etc.
- Working knowledge of the Coordinated Entry System (CES) and other community resources and services related to housing and supports is essential.
- Must possess proficient computer skills, and be well organized, proactive, and self-directed. Must also be attentive to details and to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
- Valid driver’s license required; Personal automobile coverage limits minimum: Bodily Injury $100,00 each person, $300,000 each occurrence Property Damage $100,000 each occurrence.
Travel
Travel required within the communities served, Oakland and Macomb County.
CHN reserves the right to require a motor vehicle record check with respect to any employee where driving is an essential function of the position.
Work Environment and Physical Demands
Primary functions of this job require travelling to community partner locations, shelters, community spaces, and meeting participants in the field.
Disclaimer
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
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