Housing Navigator

Hope Mission Statement

The mission of Hope the Mission is to prevent, reduce and eliminate poverty, hunger, and homelessness by offering immediate assistance and long-term solutions.

Position Purpose and Summary


Getting into housing is rarely simple for someone who has been unhoused. The system is complex, the barriers are real, and the process demands persistence from people who are already exhausted. The Housing Navigator makes that process possible.

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Housing Navigator provides field-based housing services to people moving from homelessness into permanent housing. This role works directly with participants to assess their needs and build individualized housing plans. It guides them through every step - from applications and vouchers to move-in and stabilization. It also means building relationships with landlords, property managers, and housing providers to expand available options for the people HTM serves.

The Housing Navigator works across multiple housing programs including Section 8, VASH, DHS Housing for Health, and time-limited subsidies. This requires knowing how each program works - not just in theory, but in practice. The role calls for strong people skills, solid systems knowledge, and the ability to maintain trust with participants who have often been let down before. Success is not measured by activity. It is measured by whether people get housed - and stay that way.

Responsibilities

Participant Engagement & Assessment

• Engage participants in housing-focused case management and build trusting, effective working relationships
• Conduct assessments to determine appropriate permanent housing interventions and individual service needs
• Provide housing readiness support including assistance with documentation, applications, and eligibility requirements
• Monitor participant progress toward housing goals through regular, consistent follow-up

Housing Navigation & Placement

• Assist participants with housing voucher applications through LAHSA, Public Housing Authority, and related programs
• Support housing search activities and identify best-fit placement options based on individual participant needs
• Navigate participants to permanent housing placements including Time-Limited Subsidy (TLS), DHS Housing for Health, Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), Tenant-Based and Project-Based Supportive Housing, VASH, shared housing, SROs, and low-income housing options
• Coordinate move-in assistance resources including deposits, furniture, and other housing supports as available

Planning, Documentation & Collaboration

• Develop and maintain a Housing & Services Plan (HSP) for each participant with clear, individualized goals oriented toward permanent housing
• Maintain complete and accurate participant files including assessments, housing plans, case notes, applications, vouchers, lease agreements, and exit documentation
• Enter and maintain required data in HMIS; ensure all documentation meets program and funder requirements and is updated within required timeframes
• Meet performance outcome targets established by applicable LAHSA and funding contracts
• Connect participants to community resources that support housing acquisition and stability including legal aid, credit repair, and tenant rights services
• Build and maintain professional relationships with landlords, property owners, sober livings, and housing providers to expand available housing options
• Collaborate with internal HTM programs, external service providers, and partner agencies to support participant housing progress
• Apply de-escalation and mediation techniques to support participants through conflict
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, case conferencing, coalition meetings, and homeless services meetings
• Operate in field-based settings with frequent community engagement; support navigation services across multiple housing models and programs
• Uphold all Hope the Mission and funder rules, regulations, and policies
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Valid California driver's license with an acceptable motor vehicle record qualifying for HTM's commercial insurance coverage.
• Reliable personal transportation and proof of vehicle insurance.
• Ability to work in field-based settings across multiple locations throughout Los Angeles County.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. and perform the physical demands described in the job description.
• Compliance with HIPAA standards and all HTM company policies.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Minimum 3 years of experience working with people experiencing homelessness or similar populations.
• Knowledge of Housing First, Harm Reduction, and Trauma-Informed Care principles.
• Knowledge of HUD guidelines and subsidized housing programs including Section 8, VASH, DHS Housing for Health, TLS, and related voucher programs.
• Experience with HMIS or similar data systems.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Skills

• Housing navigation and placement across multiple housing models and subsidy programs.
• Case management, including assessment, housing plan development, and ongoing participant follow-up.
• Relationship-building with landlords, property owners, sober livings, and housing providers to expand available housing options.
• Advocacy and problem-solving on behalf of participants navigating complex housing systems.
• De-escalation and conflict mediation in high-stress or crisis situations.
• Accurate and timely documentation in HMIS and participant case files in compliance with funder requirements.
• Cultural humility and ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including reporting and cross-agency collaboration.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload independently with minimal supervision.

Mandatory Requirements

• Background Screening - Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of background checks as required per worksite.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing - Candidates must pass pre-employment and ongoing drug and alcohol screenings in accordance with company policy.
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Check - For roles requiring driving, employment is contingent upon an acceptable driving record.
• Legal Eligibility to Work - Candidates must provide proof of legal authorization to work in the US.
• Compliance with Company Policies and HIPAA standards - All employees must comply with company policies, including safety, confidentiality, and conduct standards.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Must have proof of vehicle insurance coverage.
• Must have a valid CA drivers license.

Physical, Demands, Environmental Conditions, Equipment


The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The employee is required to: walk and climb stairs; stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis; grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead; handle, finger, grasp and feel objects and equipment; reach with hands and arms; be mobile by moving oneself from place to place quickly and easily; repeat various motions with the wrists, hands, and fingers; be able to perform visual activities for (including, but not limited to) administrative and clerical tasks; ability to lift up to 25 lbs.; communicate, receive and exchange ideas, information by means of the spoken and written word; drive vehicles in and around Los Angeles County; be able to enter various buildings that may require climbing stairs; be periodically subjected to outside environmental conditions. The employee may work in proximity to service animals and emotional support animals; use a desktop and/or laptop computer; various office machines. Complete all required forms in personal writing.


Work Environment

The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using alcohol and drugs, and who may not be attentive to basic personal hygiene, health and safety practices. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the participants' use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal hygiene. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in an office setting. Sometimes work may become stressful when working under pressure or in crisis intervention.


EEO: HTM (Hope the Mission) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, HTM complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, placement, promotion, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.


HTM will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if HTM is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing's Fair Chance Act webpage.

Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm