Housing Case Manager

The mission of Housing Families First (HFF) is to empower families facing homelessness to build a brighter future through compassionate support and pathways to home. Through our residential and community housing programs and supportive services, we partner with families to help them overcome barriers, strengthen housing stability, and build a foundation for long-term success. Our core values of People First, Housing Focused, Stronger Together, Impactful, and Responsive shape how we serve families, collaborate with one another, and engage with our community. All employees are expected to reflect these values in the performance of their responsibilities. The Housing Navigator advances HFF’s mission by providing participant-centered, housing-focused case management and housing navigation services that help families and individuals experiencing homelessness secure and maintain permanent housing. The position partners with participants to identify and overcome barriers to housing stability while coordinating supportive services, community resources, and financial assistance that promote long-term success. This position ensures housing navigation and case management services are effective, continuously focused on achieving strong housing outcomes for participants, compliant, and aligned with HFF’s mission and strategic priorities. The Housing Navigator collaborates closely with participants, case managers, landlords, housing providers, and community partners to coordinate successful housing placements, strengthen housing stability, and support positive participant outcomes through high-quality housing navigation and case management services. Supervised By: Senior Program Manager, Community & Outreach Classification: Full-Time, Salaried Duties include but are not limited to: Housing Navigation for Community Programs Participants Interview community program participants to assess housing needs, rental preferences, and barriers to obtaining permanent housing. Assist participants in identifying, viewing, and securing safe, appropriate permanent housing that reflects their needs, preferences, and available resources. Collaborate with the Community Housing Programs Manager and case management staff to ensure housing plans address barriers to permanent housing and support successful placement. Prepare participants for interactions with housing providers, including assisting with rental applications, lease-related documentation, and lease-up activities. Conduct Housing Quality Standards (HQS/NSPIRE) inspections, Environmental Reviews, visual lead assessments, and other required inspections, as applicable. Ensure rental units meet Fair Market Rent, Rent Reasonableness, Housing Quality Standards (HQS/NSPIRE), and other applicable funding requirements. Negotiate lease terms, coordinate lease signing and move-in logistics, and assess participant eligibility for financial assistance in accordance with program guidelines. Case Management & Housing Stabilization: Establish supportive, respectful, participant-centered, trauma-informed relationships with participants. Carry a caseload of participants in HFF’s community housing programs. Partner with participants to develop, implement, and routinely review individualized housing action plans and housing stabilization goals. Assist participants in obtaining documents, benefits, employment, income, and community resources that support successful housing placement and long-term housing stability. Provide ongoing housing-focused case management, including budgeting, lease education, financial coaching, apartment maintenance education, and problem-solving support. Coordinate the creative use of mainstream benefits, community resources, vocational rehabilitation, employment services, and other supportive services that strengthen housing stability. Conduct home visits, home inspections, and provide transportation using an agency vehicle, as appropriate. Organize and facilitate meetings with landlords, service providers, and other stakeholders to coordinate services and support participant goals. Respond promptly to participant crises using de-escalation techniques, safety planning, and appropriate referrals. Compliance, Documentation & Performance: Maintain accurate participant files and timely electronic documentation. Enter participant information into HMIS and maintain data integrity in accordance with Greater Richmond Continuum of Care standards. Ensure program and financial documentation complies with agency policies, grant requirements, and funding regulations. Monitor participant progress, program outcomes, contract performance, and expenditure deadlines to support compliance and achievement of program goals. Conduct participant surveys, assist with program evaluations, and implement strategies that support HFF’s Strategic Plan, annual objectives, and Greater Richmond Continuum of Care performance measures. Identify participant success stories and support community engagement and public awareness efforts in an ethical, participant-centered manner. Collaboration & Other Duties: Collaborate with Housing Navigators, Community Housing Programs staff, Residential Housing Programs staff, and community partners to coordinate successful housing placements and participant outcomes. Participate in internal case conferencing, staff meetings, training, community meetings, and other collaborative activities, as requested. Participate in the agency’s emergency on-call rotation. Other Duties: Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the Senior Program Manager, Community & Outreach Qualifications and Competencies: Commitment to Housing Families First’s mission, vision, values, and participant-centered, trauma-informed approach to service delivery. Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and progressively responsible experience. At least five years of experience in housing-focused case management, homelessness services, or a related human services field. Certified Housing Counselor preferred. Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with participants, landlords, property managers, and community partners. Strong critical thinking, organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently. Excellent judgment, professionalism, discretion, and communication skills, with the ability to build productive relationships across diverse audiences. Knowledge of homelessness, housing stability, trauma-informed care, behavioral health, mainstream benefits, landlord-tenant practices, and community resources that support long-term housing stability. Ability to interpret and apply agency policies, grant requirements, Continuum of Care requirements, Fair Housing requirements, Housing Quality Standards (HQS/NSPIRE), and other applicable regulations. Ability to analyze participant needs, identify housing barriers, develop practical housing stabilization strategies, and support successful housing placement and long-term stability. Strong computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office, HMIS, and other technology platforms. Certified Housing Quality Standards (HQS/NSPIRE) Inspector and Visual Lead Inspector, or the ability to obtain certification within 90 days of employment. Valid Virginia Driver’s License, acceptable driving record and background check required. Spanish language proficiency preferred but not required. Services, employment opportunities, and volunteer opportunities are open to qualified applicants regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran’s status, political affiliation, or socio-economic status. #J-18808-Ljbffr