Housing Navigator

Compensation: $28.32-$30.02 DOEE

Benefits:  

• Free Dental & Vision
• 19 Paid Holidays- Including 4 Mental Health Days
• Retirement Plan with a match
• Paid Training
• 10-year anniversary sabbatical
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Professional Development Allowance
• Paid Parental Leave benefit
• Discounted Pet Insurance
• Affordable Health Insurance, including a free healthcare option for employees
• 50% coverage paid by employer for dependents (vision, dental, health)
• and many more!

Company Overview

For more than 50 years, Insight Housing has provided a comprehensive range of housing, food, and support services to help those in need move from homelessness into a safe and affordable home of their own. We serve in seven counties in the bay area - Alameda, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Solano, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Amador County. We are proud of our team members who are very dedicated to our mission of ensuring everyone in our community has a home through supportive, equitable, and sustainable housing solutions.

Program Overview

The Campus Interim Housing Program provides interim housing and support services for people who are experiencing homelessness in encampments in the City of Berkeley. The Campus Interim Housing Program includes provision of Housing Navigation to 23 units located in the former Super 8 motel. Participants at this site will be provided with on-going housing navigation services to ensure support towards obtaining housing, as well as assistance with activities of daily living skills (ADLs), budgeting, and linkages to community resources.

Position Summary

Under supervision of the Program Manager, the Housing Navigator will be responsible for providing housing placement, housing navigation, and other case management services to homeless individuals residing in the interim housing program. Housing Navigators will work in partnership with program participants to address housing barriers and to increase housing stability, including service coordination to ensure that participants are connected to all necessary supportive services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Follow best practices for assisting program participants that align with Insight Housing’s professional standards and ensure excellent customer service. Best practices include but are not limited to low barrier access, harm reduction, trauma informed care, non-violent crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, and conflict management/de-escalation techniques.
• Assist with conducting and completing documents for the initial intake for all new participant referrals.
• Assist with front desk coverage at Interim Housing site in the absence of a Resident Advocate.
• Provide intensive housing and vocational case management. Provide participants with the housing resources needed to reach their permanent housing goals. Conduct at a minimum, weekly meetings with each participant to identify short and long-term goals, money management/budgeting, and employment and education opportunities. Develop individual budgets with each program participant.
• Create a Housing Plan with each participant 10 days after the initial intake ensuring that the participant provides input into the plan. Update housing plan accordingly. Actively involve participants in the design and delivery of supportive services by ensuring they have an active voice in their goal/service plans.
• Assist participants in retaining their program placement and maximize each participant’s independence and self-sufficiency by providing linkage and referral to appropriate community services and resources. May include linkages to mental health assessments and referrals, SUD treatment, vocational and employment assistance, general health and dental services, income support and benefits, and consumer and family involvement, if appropriate.
• Provide crisis interventions and participant mediation supporting the Program Manager and/or Resident Advocates, as needed.
• Maintain and secure comprehensive case files and prepare and submit all programmatic reports as required. Including documenting case notes, intakes, exits and annua updates in HMIS/Clarity. Ensure that all data is entered into HMIS within 24 hours of service delivery.
• Build relationships with landlords in Alameda County or surrounding areas. Match landlord qualifications with participant needs. Perform or arrange housing inspections prior to move-in and assist in negotiation of rents with landlords. Collect and keep files of income certifications, calculations of subsidies and lease approvals for participants’ direct lease contracts.
• Accompany participants to unit viewings, lease signings and all housing appointments.
• Facilitate warm hand-off meetings with external providers to ensure a smooth transition from interim housing to permanent housing.
• Participate in the North County Regional Coordination Meeting.
• Participate in department staff meetings and case conference meetings.
• Collaborate with the Program Manager to do a quarterly participant chart audit.
• Provide information and recommendations to the Program Manager regarding program evaluation and modifications to better meet participant needs, community needs, funding requirements and Insight Housing’s mission.
• Adhere to laws regarding confidentiality and reporting requirements; maintain knowledge of current HIPAA certification standards.
• Drive own or agency vehicle to various sites as required; documenting and reporting mileage according to agency procedures, so that services can be provided in a timely manner; comply with agency driving policy at all times.
• Participate in promoting a safe, healthy, and clean working environment consistent with agency’s health and safety practices.
• Attend and participate in all meetings and trainings as assigned.
• Complete and submit timesheets in a timely and accurate manner. 
• Work within the framework of Insight Housing’s Code of Conduct.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

• High school required. Bachelor’s degree in Social Services or related field a plus.
• Ability to complete CPR/First Aid Training.
• 1 year experience in real estate, property management or housing support, required.    
• 1 year experience providing direct support services to individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health, substance abuse or other social issues strongly preferred. Relevant internship and volunteer experience will be considered. Prior Customer service experience and administrative experience will be considered.
• Commitment to serving individuals experiencing homelessness, alcohol and drug dependency, and other mental health issues and to trauma-informed approach to care of individuals.
• Proficient in use of computer and Microsoft office suite (Word, excel, outlook and TEAMS). Experience with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) a plus.

• Must be able to conduct site visits on their own. Comfortable visiting participants/living spaces with large dogs.
• Ability to interact in a supportive and professional manner with staff and program participants of diverse cultural and economic backgrounds.

• Ability to provide good customer service. Communicate effectively and maintain a calm demeanor in stressful situations.
• Capable of working independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and crisis intervention skills with a can do and flexible attitude. Ability to work well under high pressure.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, multitask, maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain professional conduct, attitude, and appearance at all times.

Special Requirements

• This position requires frequent driving.  A valid California driver license, reliable personal vehicle, current personal auto insurance as required by law, and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies.
• Must be able to receive and maintain criminal records clearance.
• Must be able to obtain TB clearance.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, climb stairs, talk, hear, and see clearly.
• May be occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• May be required to lift or move up to 50 lbs.

Insight Housing is an equal opportunity employer and welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.