Housing Navigator

POSITION TITLE: Housing Navigator LOCATION: Knoxville, TN STATUS: Full Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt PROGRAM: VOA Honor REPORTS TO: Senior Director of Veteran Services INTRODUCTION: Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA) is a non-profit organization spanning four states that creates positive change in the lives of individuals and communities through a ministry of service. We provide housing for families, veterans, and low-income seniors. We provide care and support for individuals with developmental disabilities, healing accountability that brings people together with restorative justice, and free HIV testing and education. When Volunteers of America was founded in 1896, "volunteer" referred to anyone who served others as a vocation through a commitment to a mission. Today, we are still staffed by paid, mission-driven professionals working to create positive change and build thriving communities. Flexibility, teamwork, and fun are some of the reasons our employees are proud to work at VOA! We offer a comprehensive benefits package to employees who meet eligibility requirements. BENEFITS: Volunteers of America Mid-States, offers a rich and robust benefits package the supports a healthy work life balance, which include the following: Health and Wellness Employee Assistance Plans (EAP) Health and Wellness Program Medical Coverage Dental Coverage Vision Coverage Flexible Spending Account Health Spending Account Short Term Disability MetLife Legal Plans Financial Wellbeing Competitive Compensation Packages Life Insurance (company paid) 403b retirement plan with company fund matching Employee discounts *Loan forgiveness options through federal programs (National Health Corp & Public Service Loan Forgiveness) *All company paid benefits and paid time off effective day one Work Culture Commitment Committee Justice Committee Integrity Committee Compassion Committee Retention Committee JOB SUMMARY AND QUALIFICATIONS: The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program assists Veterans who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness end their housing crisis. The goal of the Housing Navigator is to support SSVF’s main goal to end homelessness amongst Veterans. This position will actively work with area VA HUD-VASH teams to identify landlords and community partners who are willing to connect Veterans with and maintain long-term housing stability and self-sufficiency. This position is responsible for navigating the multiple vulnerabilities of Veterans experiencing homelessness, in the pursuit of housing stability by advocating for participants. Additionally, the position requires active promotion of housing justice, creating housing security through action and advocacy, and providing culturally inclusive, trauma-informed services to all participants. A Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field and less than five (5) years of experience in the field; at least five (5) years of experience in the field and no degree; or a Veteran with three (3) years of related work experience. You must have a demonstrated ability to provide a reasonable combination of the following knowledge, abilities, and skills: ability to access local resources, advocacy, working cooperatively with local service providers, knowledge of problems associated with target population, effective communication, ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, judgement, discretion, and honesty, and have a commitment to the principles of the SSVF program. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, high degree of organization, and creative problem-solving skills. Must have a personal automobile, valid driver’s license, liability insurance, and be willing and able to travel between counties served by the project, up to 90% of the time. Must complete required training within 90 days of hire. We hire, fire, and promote based on our five core values of commitment, compassion, diversity, justice, and integrity. These values run through our entire culture so it’s important to us that you truly believe in these values too. RESPONSIBILITIES: Serve as a liaison between local HUD-VASH teams, attending all case conferencing with both HUD-VASH and SSVF teams and locally coordinating and planning to be responsive to the needs of unhoused Veterans in the service area. Advocate with local public housing authorities. Build partnerships with community partners, service providers, and government agencies to increase access to long-term, sustainable housing. Conduct outreach to identify housing resources. Understand the barriers that clients in both urban and rural areas face and how to best service clients in both of these areas. Demonstrate ability to work with Veteran families, experiencing homelessness, of diverse cultural/ethnic backgrounds with sensitivity to their individual housing needs. Responsible for explaining, interpreting, and applying for HUD-VASH and Section 8 programs. Advocate for Veteran and act as liaison while working with landlords, rental agencies, community organizations, and other service agencies. Read, interpret, and explain rental contracts between Veteran and landlord, ensuring the contract is fair and capable. Work in partnership with other SSVF Case Managers, Intake Coordinators, and Outreach Workers; and participate in regular case consultation. Develop cooperative arrangements with government agencies and community partners in providing housing for homeless families. Conduct all housing inspections on eligible units. Serve as a resource for housing education and support tailored to the needs and desires of the Veteran. Provide housing education services, materials, and referrals to Veteran and their family, based on individual needs. In addition, conduct informational meetings and trainings with community partners, property management companies, and landlords on SSVF program and housing needs, as well as fair housing guidelines. Negotiate rental rates, review leases, and provides feedback to case consultation team. Understand HUD, HUD-VASH, Section 8, and other housing guidelines, rules, and regulations. Maintain active landlord and housing provider list and actively establish new housing providers/partners. Develop relationships with VA staff, Housing Authority, community partners, employers, and other referral networks. Comply with all policies and procedures of the program and the Council on Accreditation. Participate in outreach activities, including but not limited to: street/shelter outreach, coordinated-entry meetings, Stand Down, resource fairs, Week of Valor/Veterans Day events, and annual PIT count. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.