Housing Navigator

For over a century, Home Sweet Home Ministries has stood as a pillar of the community and a beacon of Christ's love for the hungry, unhoused, and hopeless here in Central Illinois. It is the mission of every member of our staff and our volunteers to demonstrate Christ's love through innovative approaches that instill hope, restore lives, and build community. We offer supportive services to those in need - providing shelter, food, case management, as well as programs including Rapid Rehousing and our Bread for Life Co-Op.


Now you, too, can help build upon our traditions and contribute your passion for caring for others and your desire to be a guiding light for Christ's love to those caught in the storm by joining our dedicated team. Home Sweet Home Ministries offers employment opportunities for those with a desire to be part of a community committed to helping others.


Why Work at Home Sweet Home Ministries?

Purpose-Driven Impact
Make a meaningful difference every day. Your work helps restore hope and dignity to individuals in our community while sharing Christ's love and compassion.


Comprehensive Full-Time Benefits
We care for our team so you can care for others.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• Employer-paid life insurance

• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match (after one year of employment)

• Section 125 Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Generous paid time off

• Free on-site meals and beverages

Join a Caring Team
Work alongside compassionate, mission-driven colleagues who are committed to serving others and making a lasting impact.


Primary Location
The Junction, 301 E. Oakland Avenue, Bloomington, IL [This is NOT a remote position.]

How You'll Help Fulfill the HSHM Mission

Case Management Duties

• In partnership with participants, determine housing preferences and barriers, and establish corresponding goals focused on resolving participants' homelessness

• Assist participants and community clients in their search for housing, filling out rental applications, interpreting leases and understanding tenant rights and responsibilities

• Maintain caseload (typically up to 12 individuals/families) to include all documentation of services provided and maintain accurate, up-to-date case notes and internal agency communication logs

• Provides case management services to Bridge of Hope participants and neighboring groups, in accord with Bridge of Hope National program guidelines

• Provide ongoing neighbor training at Bridge of Hope Nights as requested.

• Knowledge of, and ability to collaborate with, local social services to make appropriate service referrals

• Conduct home visits with participants as needed to ensure housing stability

• Maintain flexibility of schedule to accommodate participants' availability due to work/school/appointment schedules

• Provide spiritual counsel as needed

Housing Identification & Landlord Development

• Prepare materials for making presentation to realtors, property managers, and property owners thus establishing and maintaining relationships with landlords

• Proactively seek out new housing opportunities and resources to assist families with housing

• Educate landlords on how the short/medium-term rental subsidy program works including timeframe and potential payment breakdown

Policies and Procedures

• Ensure that participant records and documentation are maintained to meet service standards and contractual requirements

• Maintain updated demographic outcomes information in Bridge of Hope participant tracking database

• Participation in on-call schedule to provide support to after-hours and weekend staff

• Participate in staff meetings and other group activities essential for operations and team cohesion

• Attend community meetings as directed by supervisor

Qualifications:

• Mission-oriented with values in harmony with those of Home Sweet Home Ministries, Inc.

• Bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, counseling, or a related field or at least 2 years direct case management experience

• Must understand and demonstrate trauma-informed and relationship-based service models and be comfortable working alongside volunteers

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, strong time management skills and ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action

• Able to identify participant need and apply agency or community resources to meet that need

• Demonstrated ability to confront or challenge participant behavior, as needed

• Able to set and observe appropriate personal limits and boundaries

• Proficient in Microsoft Office

• Able and willing to act in harmony with Home Sweet Home Ministries' Christian values

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and other departments and agencies

• Must have a valid Driver's License with a safe driving record. Must be able to provide occasional transportation to clients in a personally-owned or leased vehicle that is reliable and well-maintained. Must provide proof of personal automobile insurance with minimum bodily injury and property damage liability limits of $100,000 and medical payments coverage of at least $10,000.

Physical Demands:


The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.


Other Duties:


Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without cause.