Housing Navigation Specialist

Housing Navigation Specialist

Community Housing Network (CHN) is a nonprofit organization committed to providing homes for people in need through proven strategies of homeless prevention, housing assistance, affordable housing development, community education, advocacy, and referrals. Since 2001, CHN has served as the leading housing resource nonprofit organization in southeast Michigan and serves thousands of families and individuals annually who are facing homelessness, people with disabilities, low-income households, and other vulnerable Michigan residents.

Community Housing Network is building thriving communities and overcoming homelessness and housing instability through a work environment dedicated to empowering a work/life balance success through our Core Values: Inclusion, Integrity, Innovation and Passion.

The Housing Navigation Specialist is responsible for intake coordination, eligibility verification, housing search, lease management, and recertification for program participants. The Specialist will actively participate in the coordinated entry system as well as the larger service network as needed.

Essential Functions:

• Facilitate intake for potential program participants, assessing eligibility and guiding them through the application process.
• Develop individualized housing plans in collaboration with participants.
• Help participants mitigate issues with credit reports, utility arrears, criminal records and other issues which may impact housing eligibility.
• Refer participants to appropriate affordable housing that aligns with their needs and geographic preferences.
• Provide information and instructions to participants regarding how to search for housing, complete housing applications, tenant rights and responsibilities and how to be a good neighbor.
• Provide ongoing support to program participants, addressing inquiries, providing guidance, and connecting them with resources, as needed.
• Coordinate all aspects of the lease signing process (for new participants and those moving), including negotiations with landlords, paperwork preparation, and inspection requests.
• Foster positive relationships with landlords and property managers to secure housing opportunities and maintain partnerships.
• Collaborate with internal departments and community partners to obtain required documents and verifications for program applications.
• Maintain participant records; document all participant case updates within 24 hours.
• Represent the organization at community events, resource fairs, and landlord networking gatherings to promote program awareness and engagement.
• Attend recommended training courses and conferences to ensure the development of knowledge base.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience in housing programs, conducting intakes, property management, or related fields preferred.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with experience interacting effectively with vulnerable populations (i.e., people experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, at-risk of homelessness, and those who have a mental or physical health disability).
• Bachelor's degree in social work or human services related field; lived experience, or two years of human service-related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and services.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Working knowledge of the Coordinated Entry System and other community resources and services related to housing and support is essential.
• Must possess proficient computer skills, and be well organized, proactive, and self-directed. Must also be attentive to details and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Valid driver's license and personal automobile coverage limits minimum: Bodily Injury $100,000 each person, $300,000 each occurrence Property Damage $100,000 each occurrence.

Agency Expectation:

• Commitment to confidentiality, integrity, and adherence to organizational values.
• Adhere to agency policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate exceptional communication and organizational skills.
• Maintain a positive and respectful attitude.
• Demonstrate flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload.
• Consistently report to work on time and prepared to perform duties of position.
• Proactively and effectively communicate the knowledge gained from education/trainings/conferences to others in the organization through the use of presentations, emails, and conversations.
• Execute all duties within the framework of Housing First and trauma-informed care principles.
• Prioritize cultural understanding, respect, resilience, adaptability, conflict resolution, and resourcefulness.
• Upholds organizations core values of integrity, inclusion, innovation, passion and vision within our organization and the people we serve.
• Have a strong work ethic that equally prioritizes the needs of participants and the needs of the organization.
• Display effective leadership skills to gain and maintain credibility, trust, and respect of all employees.

Travel:

Travel is required within the communities served.

CHN reserves the right to require a motor vehicle record check with respect to any employee where driving is an essential function of the position.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

This position includes fieldwork, in-office work and remote work (from home office).

While performing the functions of this job, the position is both sedentary and at times requires the ability to be active including standing, walking in the outside elements, in and out of vehicle bending, lifting and/or arranging files and office products and supplies and may require employee to periodically stand on a short step stool to access files.

Disclaimer:

This job description describes the general nature of the duties and requirements of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list or to limit the supervisor's ability to modify work assignments as appropriate. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.