Housing Navigator

Housing Navigator

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

The Housing Navigator provides housing-focused, field-based services to individuals experiencing homelessness as they transition into permanent housing. This role is responsible for identifying appropriate permanent housing opportunities, supporting participants through housing search and placement processes, and coordinating services that promote housing stability. The Housing Navigator works closely with participants, landlords, property managers, and service providers to ensure successful housing placements. Services are delivered using Housing First, Harm Reduction, and Trauma-Informed Care principles, with an emphasis on individualized planning, advocacy, and system navigation.

Level I Duties and Responsibilities

• Engage participants in housing-focused case management and build effective, trusting relationships.
• Conduct assessments to determine appropriate permanent housing interventions and service needs.
• Provide housing readiness support, including assistance with documentation, applications, and eligibility requirements.
• Regularly follow up with participants to monitor progress toward housing goals.

Level II Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist participants with housing voucher applications, including LAHSA, Public Housing Authority (PHA), and related assessment requirements.
• Support housing search activities and identify best-fit housing placement options.
• Navigate participants to permanent housing programs and placements, including but not limited to:
• Time-Limited Subsidy (TLS)
• DHS Housing for Health
• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
• Tenant-Based and Project-Based Supportive Housing
• Veterans housing programs (e.g., VASH)
• Shared housing, SROs, and low-income housing options
• Coordinate move-in assistance resources such as deposits, furniture, and other housing supports when available.

Level III Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a Housing & Services Plan (HSP) to guide participants toward permanent housing and individualized goals.
• Maintain accurate and complete participant files, including assessments, housing plans, case notes, housing applications, vouchers, lease agreements, and exit documentation.
• Enter and maintain required data in HMIS and ensure documentation meets program and funder requirements.
• Connect participants to community resources that support housing acquisition and stability (e.g., legal aid, credit repair, housing rights).
• Build and maintain professional relationships with landlords, property owners, sober livings, and housing providers to expand housing options.
• Collaborate with internal HTM programs, external service providers, and partner agencies.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, case conferencing, coalition meetings, and homeless services meetings.
• Meet performance outcomes required by applicable LAHSA and funding contracts.
• Use de-escalation and mediation techniques to support participants through conflict.
• Uphold all Hope the Mission and funder rules, regulations, and policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

(Location Specific or Nuanced Responsibilities)

• Operate in a field-based environment with frequent community engagement.
• Support navigation services across multiple housing models and programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong housing navigation and case management skills
• Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities
• Strong advocacy and relationship-building skills
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Ability to manage time, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines
• Comfort working independently with minimal supervision
• Cultural humility and ability to work with diverse populations

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field or a minimum of three (3) years of experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or similar populations
• Knowledge of Housing First, Harm Reduction, and Trauma-Informed Care principles
• Knowledge of HUD guidelines and subsidized housing programs
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficiency in HMIS or similar systems
• Valid CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire
• TB clearance required
• Valid California driver's license required

Mandatory Requirements:

• Employment eligibility verification
• Ability to travel locally within Los Angeles County
• Completion of required agency, program, and funder trainings

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; copy, postage, and fax 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.

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.