Housing Navigator

Position Title: Housing Navigator

Department: Housing Services

Reports To: Director of Housing / Program Director

Employment Status: Full-Time, Grant-Funded

Salary: $50,000 / Per Year

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Location: South Suburban Cook County / Chicagoland Area

POSITION SUMMARY

The Housing Navigator helps individuals and families experiencing housing instability identify and access resources that support safe, stable housing. The Housing Navigator works directly with participants to assess housing needs and barriers, develop individualized housing stabilization plans, identify appropriate housing options and resources, and help participants navigate the housing process.

This community-based position requires active engagement with participants, landlords and property managers, housing providers, and community partners. The Housing Navigator works collaboratively with PCS staff and community service providers to address barriers to housing stability, coordinate eligible housing-related assistance and referrals, and provide consistent follow-up to support successful housing outcomes. The position requires initiative, flexibility, strong relationship-building skills, participant advocacy, and an understanding of community-based nonprofit service delivery.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Housing Navigation & Placement

• Conduct housing needs and barrier assessments with eligible participants.
• Develop individualized housing search and stabilization plans.
• Identify safe, affordable, and appropriate housing opportunities throughout the service area.
• Assist participants with apartment searches, applications, required documentation, and housing-related appointments.
• Assist participants in understanding leases, tenant responsibilities, rental requirements, and Fair Housing protections.
• Coordinate apartment viewings and assist participants with communication with landlords and property managers.
• Support participants through the housing approval, lease-up, and move-in process.
• Assist participants in accessing available move-in resources, including security deposits, utility assistance, furniture, and other eligible supports.
• Housing assessments and stabilization plans, housing navigation and referrals.

Landlord & Housing Provider Engagement

• Develop and maintain relationships with landlords, property managers, housing authorities, and other housing providers.
• Recruit landlords willing to work with PCS participants and applicable housing assistance programs.
• Maintain an updated inventory of available rental units and housing resources.
• Advocate with landlords and property managers to address participant barriers when appropriate.
• Assist with landlord/tenant communication and conflict resolution to support successful placement and housing retention.
• Landlord/property manager engagement and mediation when appropriate.

Participant Support & Resource Navigation

• Identify barriers affecting housing stability, including income, employment, transportation, identification documents, credit, prior evictions, behavioral health needs, and other social determinants.
• Connect participants to PCS programs and external resources for employment, benefits, healthcare, behavioral health, substance use services, transportation, food, legal assistance, and other supportive services.
• Coordinate closely with PCS case managers and other program staff to ensure participants receive comprehensive services.
• Conduct follow-up with participants following housing placement to support housing retention.
• Participate in case conferencing and multidisciplinary team meetings as required.
• Eligible housing stabilization assistance and connection to longer-term housing resources.
• Participant follow-up, documentation, and coordination with the Case Manager and Community Resource Navigator.

Documentation, Data & Grant Compliance

• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely participant records, assessments, housing plans, case notes, referrals, and housing outcomes.
• Enter required participant and service information into PCS-designated data systems and any database requirements.
• Maintain documentation necessary to demonstrate participant eligibility and services provided.
• Track housing searches, landlord contacts, applications, placements, referrals, and participant outcomes.
• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual grant reporting.
• Maintain participant confidentiality and comply with PCS privacy and records-management policies.
• Ensure services and documentation comply with PCS policies, contractual requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local housing regulations.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The Housing Navigator will be expected to contribute to PCS performance outcomes, including:

• Participants engaged and assessed.
• Individualized housing plans completed.
• Housing applications submitted.
• Landlords and housing providers recruited.
• Participants successfully placed into safe and stable housing.
• Participants connected to supportive services.
• Participants maintaining housing following placement.
• Complete and timely case documentation.
• Achievement of grant deliverables and performance measures.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Public Health, or related field preferred.
• Relevant housing navigation, case management, homelessness services, or community-based experience may substitute for formal education.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience working in housing, homelessness services, case management, social services, or community-based programs preferred.
• Previous experience working in a community-based nonprofit, housing program, social service agency, or similar community-serving environment is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability is strongly preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of affordable housing resources and housing assistance programs.
• Working knowledge of landlord-tenant relationships, Fair Housing principles, rental applications, leases, and housing barriers.
• Strong participant advocacy, engagement, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to establish professional relationships with landlords and property managers.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and meet grant reporting deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic case-management/database systems.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and participant-centered service delivery.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel throughout PCS’s service area.
• Ability to attend community meetings, housing appointments, apartment viewings, and outreach activities.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and participant confidentiality.
• Must successfully complete required PCS and grant-funded program training.
• Some evening or community-based work may be required depending upon participant and program needs.

“This is a grant-funded position. Continued employment is contingent upon program needs and the availability of funding.”

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Proactive Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to maintaining a professional, inclusive, and respectful workplace.