Housing Navigator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program assists Veterans who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness end their housing crisis.  The goal of the Housing Navigator is to support SSVF’s main goal to end homelessness amongst Veterans. This position will actively work with area VA HUD-VASH teams to identify landlords and community partners who are willing to connect Veterans with and maintain long-term housing stability and self-sufficiency.  This position is responsible for navigating the multiple vulnerabilities of Veterans experiencing homelessness, in the pursuit of housing stability by advocating for participants.  Additionally, the position requires active promotion of housing justice, creating housing security through action and advocacy, and providing culturally inclusive, trauma-informed services to all participants.

 

1. Serve as a liaison between local HUD-VASH teams, attending all case conferencing with both HUD-VASH and SSVF teams and locally coordinating and planning to be responsive to the needs of unhoused Veterans in the service area.
2. Advocate with local public housing authorities.
3. Build partnerships with community partners, service providers, and government agencies to increase access to long-term, sustainable housing.
4. Conduct outreach to identify housing resources.
5. Understand the barriers that clients in both urban and rural areas face and how to best service clients in both of these areas.
6. Demonstrate ability to work with Veteran families, experiencing homelessness, of diverse cultural/ethnic backgrounds with sensitivity to their individual housing needs.
7. Responsible for explaining, interpreting, and applying for HUD-VASH and Section 8 programs.
8. Advocate for Veteran and act as liaison while working with landlords, rental agencies, community organizations, and other service agencies.
9. Read, interpret, and explain rental contracts between Veteran and landlord, ensuring the contract is fair and capable.
10. Work in partnership with other SSVF Case Managers, Intake Coordinators, and Outreach Workers; and participate in regular case consultation.
11. Develop cooperative arrangements with government agencies and community partners in providing housing for homeless families.
12. Conduct all housing inspections on eligible units.
13. Serve as a resource for housing education and support tailored to the needs and desires of the Veteran.
14. Provide housing education services, materials, and referrals to Veteran and their family, based on individual needs.  In addition, conduct informational meetings and trainings with community partners, property management companies, and landlords on SSVF program and housing needs, as well as fair housing guidelines.
15. Negotiate rental rates, review leases, and provides feedback to case consultation team.
16. Understand HUD, HUD-VASH, Section 8, and other housing guidelines, rules, and regulations.
17. Maintain active landlord and housing provider list and actively establish new housing providers/partners.
18. Develop relationships with VA staff, Housing Authority, community partners, employers, and other referral networks.
19. Comply with all policies and procedures of the program and the Council on Accreditation.
20. Participate in outreach activities, including but not limited to: street/shelter outreach, coordinated-entry meetings, Stand Down, resource fairs, Week of Valor/Veterans Day events, and annual PIT count.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.