OF POSITION:

The Housing Navigator has extensive experience working with and providing support to individuals that are homeless/at risk of homelessness. The Housing Navigator works closely with other staffs in the NEMS Case Management team to provide individualized housing support to members who are in need of stable housing. The Housing Navigator will also provide client advocacy, case management, benefit establishment, resource identification, and other supportive services according to the member’s needs. The Housing Navigator will coordinate with other community-based organizations, local housing agencies, and government entities to ensure the individual has access to supports needed for successful tenancy. The Housing Navigator will assist the member in a trauma-informed way to assess, plan, implement, monitor and evaluate actions required to meet the member’s health and human service needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Conduct outreach to program members and referees
• Conduct tenant screening and housing assessment to identify member's preferences and potential housing transition or retention barrier(s)
• Develop an individualized housing support plan based upon the housing assessment findings; and include short- and long-term measurable goals for each issue and establish member's approach to meeting the goals.
• Discuss with the member and consult with care team to ensure that the housing options pursued meet the appropriate level of care and accommodation needs for the member
• Conduct housing search based on housing assessment and housing support plan or refer members experiencing homelessness to county coordinated entry system, administer VI-SPDAT if applicable.
• Discuss and present relevant housing options (i.e., home, family, shared living) or other living arrangements to the member, including short-term (i.e., emergency shelter or transitional housing) and long-term (i.e., subsidized housing, permanent supportive housing, affordable and market rate housing ) options.
• Provide case management services in areas such as independent living skills, employment linkage, benefits establishment, money management, and other services as needed to assist in reaching case plan and treatment plan goals.
• Assist member with housing applications, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork and to obtain required documentations.
• Assist to ensure successful move-in and landlord education and engagement to establish housing retention.
• Create housing support crisis plan with member to enforce prevention/early intervention services to aid in housing retention.
• Review all agreements with member/family/other support, such as Lease Agreements, house rules (if applicable), behavioral expectations, tenant rights, and expectations for continued financial responsibility.
• Refer to rental assistance resources for support with move-in costs, back rent, and subsidies and to legal services for support with evictions, tenant’s rights issues, criminal background expungement, accommodations for disabilities and housing rights.
• Assist client with the resolution of disputes and mitigation services
• Be the system navigator and point of contact for patients enrolled in managed care programs, assist patients with benefit coverage and access to care questions/concerns
• Provide enhanced care coordination services in addressing members’ comprehensive clinical and non-clinical person-center needs and goals.
• Conduct meetings, phone calls, and/or site visits with stakeholders and maintain regular communication with members’ multidisciplinary care teams.
• Operate company vehicle to in-person engagements
• Perform other duties as assigned by manager/supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree required, in social work or related field preferred
• Two years comparable experience in housing.
• Previous experience with social services and/or homeless programs.
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to operate company vehicle.
• Knowledge of State/Federal healthcare compliance requirements, particularly DHCS/Medi-Cal guidelines a plus
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to self-manage in a detail-oriented environment
• Ability to operate PC based software programs or automated database management systems
• Good organization and prioritization skills, outstanding in time management
• Ability to interact with diverse clientele.

LANGUAGE:

• Must be able to fluently speak, read and write English
• Fluent in Spanish, Chinese and/or Vietnamese preferred
• Fluent in other languages are an asset

STATUS:

• This is an FLSA non-exempt position.
• This is not an OSHA high-risk position.
• This is a Full Time position.

NEMS is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer welcoming diversity in our workforce. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

NEMS BENEFITS: Competitive benefits, including free medical, dental and vision insurance for employee, spouse and/or children; and company contribution to 401(k).