Housing Navigator (HousingWORKS!)

Housing Navigator (HousingWORKS!)

ABOUT US

Founded in 1991, Hope Solutions, formerly Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, is a vibrant and socially responsive non-profit agency that provides permanent housing and vital support services to over 2,000 homeless or at-risk families and individuals in Contra Costa County. Over 40 faith-based communities support our work, although there are no religious requirements or affiliations to receive services.

Are you seeking a new role that fully utilizes your talents and potential—while helping to make the world a better place? If so, please read on!

What are you passionate about?

At Hope Solutions—we envision a world in which everyone has a place to call home and the support of a strong community so that they can live with dignity and reach their full potential. We strive to be inclusive and responsive to community needs. We are committed to excellence and accomplish our work with integrity, respect, compassion, and humility.

Hope Solution's mission is to heal the effects of poverty and homelessness by providing permanent housing and vital support services to highly vulnerable families and individuals.

Could our mission be your mission?

Learn more about us @ hopesolutions.org 

TEAM SNAPSHOT

We're adding to our team of passionate folks—who are on a mission to help make the lives of others better—through services and support that lead to a higher quality of life for our clients. 

We'd like to learn more about you—apply for the role! What's our team like? 

Here's a snapshot of some of the folks at Hope Solutions who help advance our vision to achieve—secure housing and the dignity of self-sufficiency for the homeless and at-risk families and individuals in Contra Costa County.

A FEW OF US...

Deanne—Chief Executive Officer—lives in Central Contra Costa County with her husband and three children. She enjoys hiking the East Bay hills, camping, reading, cooking, and cheering too loudly at her kids' games.

Alex—Chief Operating Officer— lives in Walnut Creek with his wife, son, and dog. Alex has an MSW and is a self-described macro social worker. He is an avid reader and a huge baseball fan (Go Giants!). He loves spending time at home with his family, making food, listening to jazz, and relaxing.

Christina—Chief Financial Officer—lives in Pleasant Hill with her husband, three teenagers, and their dog. Christina has an MPA, a Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Management, is a Certified Non-Profit Accountant, and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She has over 20 years of finance and accounting experience, working the last several years in the non-profit sector. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her family and volunteers at her children's schools.

Bill—Director of Properties and Support Services—lives in Central Contra Costa County with his partner and is involved in raising his godson. Bill is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been working with under-served populations for more than 20 years. He also serves on the Contra Costa County Healthcare for the Homeless Co-Applicant Board. He enjoys reading, gardening, and meditation. 

Tanya—Director of Rapid Re-Housing and Navigation—lives in East Contra Costa County. She is married with one daughter and two sons. Tanya has a Master's in Counseling Psychology and has worked with under-served populations for over 15 years. She enjoys music, comedy, movies, exercising, and watching basketball games.

Beth—Director of Clinical and Support Services—lives with her sister and son in Central Contra Costa County. Beth is a licensed psychologist who has worked with children and families for over 30 years. She is incredibly passionate about working with young children, ages birth to 5 years old, and their families. She enjoys singing, cooking, gardening, and traveling with her family.

Jasmine—Consulting Director of Strategic Initiatives—lives in Contra Costa County and is married with three children and three dogs. Jasmine has an MS in Organizational Leadership and Innovation. She is the co-convener of the Multi-faith ACTION Coalition. She serves on the boards of the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program as well as the Tourette Association of America.

Debbie—Director of External Relations and Development—lifelong Bay Area native, Debbie grew up in Oakland and now lives in Central Costa Contra County with her husband, two teenagers, and their rescue mutt. Debbie leads the external relations and development team for Hope Solutions, which encompasses volunteer and in-kind donation coordination, events, marketing, and donor engagement. She joined Hope Solutions with over 20 years of marketing and communications experience, including time at Gap Inc., Accenture Consulting, and Ketchum Public Relations. 

Kristina—Director of Human Resources—lives in Cordelia with her spouse, child, and French Bulldogs. She has over 20 years of experience in leadership, operations, and people management. Kristina has a Bachelor's in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources and is SHRM-SCP certified. She enjoys spending time with family, yoga, indoor cycling, and hiking, and loves to laugh. She believes if you look for the good in all things, you will find it.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

As a Housing Navigator, you will be a beacon of hope for clients in need, offering a comprehensive range of services to guide them toward secure housing solutions. Your role involves not only providing crucial financial assistance, including rent and move-in support as required, but also deeply engaging with clients to understand their aspirations and challenges. By matching clients with housing options that align with their circumstances, you will empower them to take significant steps towards breaking the cycle of homelessness.

Your dedication will extend beyond individual interactions, as you collaborate closely with landlords and property owners across the county. Your expertise in cultivating relationships will foster partnerships that facilitate housing placements, ensuring that every client is connected to appropriate housing resources. By leveraging community resources and collaborating with relevant agencies, you will navigate the complex landscape of homelessness with compassion and determination, effectively assisting homeless individuals and families in their journey towards stability.

Supervisory Responsibility:  None

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Client Support:

• Meet with identified clients to complete housing needs assessments and create plans for obtaining safe, sustainable housing.
• Assist clients with “document readiness” (gathering and maintaining verification documents required for housing applications)
• Research and identify housing opportunities for clients as requested or needed.
• Assist clients in identifying and seeking desirable, appropriate housing options and mitigating screening barriers.
• Provide applicants with housing-related resources necessary to obtain and sustain housing placement, including information regarding tenant/landlord rights and responsibilities.
• Partner with Department staff and other community partners as needed to ensure coordination of care.
• Transport clients to meet with prospective landlords, complete housing applications, and inspect potential units on an as-needed basis.
• Apply knowledge of residential leases to educate clients regarding their rights and responsibilities.

Landlord/Community Outreach and Engagement:

• Work with community partners to assess housing barriers and the needs of clients experiencing homelessness who are eligible for services.
• Maintain key relationships with community service providers, Probation referral sources, and Coordinated Entry programs.
• Develop outreach and marketing strategies to identify landlords and build housing inventory. Present to interested parties: target audiences will vary but may include faith communities, rental associations, board and care facilities, elected officials, and property management companies.
• In partnership with Hope Solutions, brokered housing and property management staff collaborate regarding shared housing resources.
• Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on clients’ behalf to assist with obtaining and/or maintaining housing.
• Create and maintain consistent verbal and written communication channels between collaborating parties (i.e., tenant, landlord, referral sources, service agencies, debtors, and creditors).

Cultural Responsiveness:

• Awareness of and aptitude to understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based differences within group environments appropriately and effectively.
• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion and belonging.
• Experience fostering and reinforcing an environment that values unique experiences, cultures, personal humility, authenticity, backgrounds, and goals.
• Participate in and complete our new employee onboarding process, which includes reading and discussing a short chapter in the book, The Color of Law.
• Review and commit to our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging Commitment.

Organizational/Administrative Responsibilities:

• Professionally represent Hope Solutions in all circumstances.
• Comply with all legal/ethical professional guidelines for maintaining consumer confidentiality, adhering to HIPAA guidelines, protecting consumer rights, advocating on consumers’ behalf, and assuring consumer safety.
• Comply with all local, state, and federal regulations and Hope Solutions policies and procedures.
• Complete required administrative paperwork and reports in a timely and accurate manner.
• Attend all required meetings, including but not limited to Hope Solutions staff meetings, team meetings, consumer case conferences, and linkage meetings with other agencies.
• Complete required personnel-related paperwork and complete expenditure reports for food supplies, petty cash expenses, and/or mileage in a timely and accurate manner.
• Document all services provided in a timely manner.
• Assist with data generation for reports and funding applications as needed.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• On-call, after-hours, and backup work may be required.

Position Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and belief in “Housing First” philosophy and strategies.
• Passion for and demonstrated experience successfully supporting vulnerable populations, especially homeless clients with mental disabilities.
• BA degree in social work or related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Minimum of two years’ experience in the human service field, preferably with housing retention barriers such as substance abuse, mental health, and/or income challenges.
• Knowledge or willingness to learn HUD requirements, including tenant certifications and/or experience working with HUD-funded properties.
• Bi-lingual in English/Spanish preferred.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Computer proficiency in the use of Microsoft and database applications.
• Must have an operational vehicle, auto insurance, valid California driver’s license, and be willing to drive for work.
• Must pass LiveScan screening and TB test.
• Salary contingent upon skill and experience.

Physical Qualifications-

• The person in this position may make home visits to consumers who live on second or third-floor apartments (without elevators) and will need to be able to climb stairs.
• May accompany consumers on walks to local resources (grocery store, childcare, parks) up to ½ mile in distance.
• Must be able to work in a desk setting for up to 3 hours at a time to make calls to consumers, research resources on the internet, and collaborate with community providers with calls/emails.
• Office setting activities are required, such as typing on a laptop/computer to respond to emails, entering case notes into a database, and copying/faxing forms and documents on a copy machine related to maintaining or obtaining housing.
• Occasionally must be able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including furnishings for new residents, files, holiday gifts, and food donations.
• Ability to drive an automobile and transport oneself and consumers to appointments or meet at consumer homes, including driving at night.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Flexible, dynamic work environment
• 100% premium paid for employee Kaiser health and dental care.
• Matched 403b retirement savings.
• 10 paid holidays, plus 2 floating holidays.
• Ability to accrue 2-4 weeks' vacation depending on tenure.
• Life insurance and Employee Assistance Program.

We are an equal-opportunity employer. If you're a good fit, we want to meet you!

* Please be advised that we are unable to provide sponsorship for this position. The nature of the work at Hope Solutions does not qualify us to support sponsorship. Only candidates authorized to work in the USA without the need for sponsorship will be considered.