Housing Navigator

Housing Navigator

The Housing Navigator supports survivors of domestic violence who are residing in or transitioning from the Weaver Domestic Violence Shelter. This position helps participants identify safe, stable, and affordable housing options; overcome barriers to housing; complete housing-related applications; and connect with community resources that promote long-term housing stability. The Housing Navigator provides survivor-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive services while maintaining confidentiality, safety, and client choice.

Work with us and receive:

• 10 Paid Holidays.
• Employer-Paid Long-Term Disability.
• Parental Leave.
• Employer Paid $25K Life.
• Health Reimbursement.

Relationships and Contacts:

• Within the organization: Initiates and maintains positive professional working relationships with staff throughout the organization including peers, supervisors/managers, directors, senior and executive management.
• Outside the organization: Initiates and maintains positive professional working relationships with shelter clients, transitional housing clients, landlords, community housing organizations, volunteers, general public and vendors.

Position Responsibilities:

Essential Responsibilities:

• Conduct housing assessments with shelter residents to identify immediate housing needs, barriers, goals, income, eligibility, and safety considerations.
• Develop individualized housing plans in partnership with each participant, respecting their self-determination and pace.
• Assist participants with locating and applying for safe, affordable, permanent housing, including apartments, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, subsidized housing, and other community-based options.
• Build and maintain relationships with landlords, property managers, housing providers, public housing agencies, and community partners.
• Support participants with housing applications, identification documents, benefit applications, lease review, utility setup, move-in coordination, and other housing-related tasks alongside case managers.
• Help participants identify and address barriers such as poor rental history, criminal background, credit concerns, lack of income, transportation, childcare, and documentation needs.
• Provide housing stability and tenancy education, including tenant rights and responsibilities, budgeting, communication with landlords, housekeeping, and maintaining a lease.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential client records, case notes, service plans, referrals, outcomes, and required program documentation (ETO).
• Collect and report data required by the agency, funders, and applicable systems, including HMIS, HUD, DVCE or other client data platforms.
• Respond appropriately to crisis situations, uphold shelter safety procedures, and support a respectful, welcoming environment for all residents.
• Maintain knowledge of local housing resources, landlord-tenant laws, domestic violence protections, and community assistance programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support shelter operations and participant needs.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Effectively manages conflict and crises.
• Conducts client intake and orientation to program in a timely manner.
• Conducts exit interviews and safety planning with residents departing program.
• Responds to crisis calls and makes appropriate referrals.
• Assumes responsibility for residential coverage, as appropriate.
• Provides support and assistance to volunteers, as needed.
• Develops an understanding of agency and program policies and procedures, implementing appropriately and interpreting to residents and volunteers.
• Attends program staff meetings, in-service training sessions, YWCA All Staff, and other meetings as requested.
• Continuously address all aspects of professional development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience:

Position requires a bachelor's degree in social work or related field, 1 to 3 years of case management experience (preferred) or 3 to 5 years of experience in a related field.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability and willingness to travel independently by automobile to fulfill work-related engagements.
• Ability to carry materials with various weights up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to navigate the work environment and remain in a position for extended periods of time, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to type and use standard office equipment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Adaptable to work environments with fluctuating noise levels.

Other Requirements:

• Position requires incumbents to have a valid driver's license, vehicle insurance, and clear driving record for the last three years.
• Ability to travel locally to meet with participants, landlords, and community partners.
• Ability to work long and flexible hours, including weekends and evenings.
• Ability to work a rotating on call schedule that includes late nights and weekends.
• Willingness to support the mission of the YWCA and ability to convey its importance both verbally and in writing.

Skill Competencies:

• Ability to successfully function under pressure in critical situations.
• Ability to interact with diverse backgrounds and social economic levels.
• Effectively manage conflict and crises.
• Strong problem solving and analytical thinking.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion.
• Sensitivity to the needs of DV survivors and their children.
• Excellent organizational and time management.
• Successful collaborative skills working with a variety of groups.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Competency with MS Office and database management.

YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee reserves the rights to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in any way the organization desires. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not an employment contract, implied or otherwise. The employment relationship remains "At-Will." The aforementioned job requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities.