Housing Navigator

Title : Housing Navigator (I-III)
Division : Project 180
Pay Scale: $25.24-$30.62/hour
Location: Kohler, DMH Interim Housing
Work Schedule: Sunday-Thursday 10am-6:30pm


The Organization

SSG-Project 180 turns lives around through innovative, wraparound services that keep people out of institutions and in their communities. Project 180 is a leader in the forensic treatment space, offering high-quality, specialized treatment programs that serve thousands of justice-involved individuals. Our programs span criminal justice intercepts and include pre-arrest interventions, court-based diversions, jail in-reach, and intensive post-release services. Project 180 operates in partnership with County agencies including the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Justice, Care and Opportunities Department (JCOD).


The Program

Interim Housing is a county-funded Department of Mental Health (DMH) program for unhoused individuals with severe mental health problems. The Interim Housing program provides temporary housing and connects individuals to important resources in the community, with the ultimate goal of linking individuals to permanent housing in their community.


The Position

Under the supervision of the Program Supervisor, the Housing Navigator is responsible for providing intensive, wraparound, field based case management services with a specific focus on securing long-term housing for clients following their transition out of interim housing. The Housing Navigator also serves as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team. A successful Housing Navigator will actively engage this population in services, supporting their clients in making progress towards meaningful recovery goals and increasing utilization of community resources. Job title (I-III) to be established based on years of relevant experience.


Essential Functions

Connect clients to permanent housing resources

• Assess clients' housing needs and support clients in developing an individualized housing plan with concrete action steps.
• Link clients to needed financial resources (ie SSI/SSDI and/or General Relief) and required identification (ie California ID, Birth Certificate).
• Develop and maintain knowledge of available housing resources. Gain access to the Coordinated Entry System (CES). Attend CES case conference and other community meetings specialized to housing linkage.
• Assist clients with linkage to applications for housing related services, including but not limited to CES entry and housing subsidy applications. Support clients with understanding available resources, completion of housing applications, housing search, and preparing for interviews with prospective owners/property managers.
• Identify client strengths and barriers to housing readiness/retention and assist participants to reduce barriers and linking to resources and services.

Provide intensive, wraparound, field-based services to support recovery goals

• Actively engage clients in services through the development of strong rapport, consistent contact and use of motivational interviewing. Provide outreach services as needed, meeting clients "where they are at" (service location, client's point of view).
• Provide services to target cornerstones of recovery oriented care (instilling hope, empowerment, self-responsibility and engaging in meaningful roles). Ensure service delivery is consistent with ethical standards and a harm reduction, strength based, trauma informed framework.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of available community resources. Complete needs assessment and link clients to community resources. Monitor ongoing participation in services/use of resources and facilitate problem solving to target barriers. Accompany clients to linkage appointments when appropriate.
• Teach prosocial and recovery skills (ie communication, problem solving, anger management skills) for long term stability in the community.
• Engage and join with collaterals (family members, probation, court) as appropriate. Provide education related to mental health recovery to better support clients. Engage in client advocacy.

• Conduct custody pickups from LA county jails and accompany clients to court appearances.
• Apply racial equity lens to all elements of clinical care.

Coordinate care with a multidisciplinary treatment team

• Actively contribute to planning and execution of clinical interventions in collaboration with the treatment team. Leverage unique skills and abilities of team members in service delivery.
• Participate in coordinated outreach and engagement efforts with the treatment team.

• Collaborate with external partners (i.e. residential substance treatment facilities, primary care clinics, etc) to ensure high quality, integrated care.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain comprehensive case notes in the electronic health record per program guidelines.
• Adhere to DMH documentation guidelines.
• Participate in program data collection per program guidelines.

Fulfill baseline Project 180 staff expectations.

• Regular attendance required. Holiday or weekend work may be required.
• Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Maintain active license and/or registrations as applicable (i.e. BBS, CCAPP)

Skills and Abilities

• Empathetic, strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Culturally competent: Understands and is sensitive to diverse backgrounds and needs
• Resourceful: Efficiently navigates and utilizes resources available
• Collaborative: Able to work in diverse teams to solve complex issues
• Adaptive to changing circumstances and client needs in a dynamic environment
• Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills, remains calm under pressure.
• Detail-oriented, organized and has strong time management skills.

Minimum Qualification

• Required:

• BA or BS in any field, and at least 1 year of case management experience, or in lieu of a BA, at least 2 years of case management experience.
  • Housing Navigator I: Less than 2 years case management experience
  • Housing Navigator II: 2 years case management experience
  • Housing Navigator III: 3 or more years of case management experience

• Experience working with culturally diverse populations.
• Valid CA driver's license, proof of insurance and own vehicle required. Ability to transport clients in personal vehicle as needed.
• Must not be on any type of legal supervision (probation or parole).
• Verification of Employment Eligibility and Background Check
• Basic computer skills

• Preferred:
  • Lived experience with homelessness, mental health/substance use recovery or the criminal justice system
  • Experience using the Coordinated Entry System (CES)
  • Spanish speaking
  • Experience working with the forensic and/or dual diagnosed populations.
  • Experience working on an interdisciplinary team in a mental health or hospital setting.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)

Job duties are to be performed both in interim housing and field settings.


Physical Requirements


The employee is expected to move about the worksite throughout the day, which may involve walking, standing, and climbing stairs, or using a mobility device, or similar. The employee is expected to drive, carry a maximum of 20 lbs, listen, and speak in order to complete job requirements.


Mental Requirements


The employee must be able to do any/all of the following: perform complex and varied tasks such as synthesizing information and making decisions without immediate supervision; handle routine distractions, interruptions, noise, and uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules; interact professionally and diplomatically in high-stress situations; create and follow plans; meet deadlines.