Housing Navigator

WELCOME TO YOUR CENTER!

Established as a community non-profit in 1972, The Center provides targeted programs and services to the full diversity of the San Diego LGBTQ community. The mission of The Center is to enhance and sustain the health and well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender, nonbinary, immigrant, and HIV communities for the betterment of our entire San Diego region. Our vision is to create a Center and Center culture where every person feels and knows that they are welcomed, valued, and supported. As the beacon for our regional LGBTQ community, we actively recommit to being a more vibrant, bold, innovative, safe, and modern center each day than the day before. The Center is sex-positive and provides advocacy and critical health and social support services to support our community members through all stages of life, focusing on our deeply held values of equity, social justice, and client-centered, trauma-informed care. The Center currently has over 75 staff working at five facilities across San Diego County.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Housing Navigator supports Medi-Cal members served by managed care plans in San Diego County who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. Members may have serious chronic medical conditions, serious mental health conditions, and/or substance use challenges, and may include adults, children, youth, or transition-age youth. Working through Neighborhood Networks, a program of San Diego Wellness Collaborative, the Housing Navigator delivers three core Community Supports services: Housing Transition Navigation, Housing Deposits, and Housing Tenancy and Sustaining Services. The Housing Navigator partners with Managed Care Plans (Blue Shield of California, Community Health Group, Molina Healthcare, and Promise Health Plan), community-based organizations (CBOs), and landlords to help members identify, obtain, move into, and retain housing. The Housing Navigator works alongside Lead Care Managers when members are co-enrolled in Enhanced Care Management (ECM), coordinating within the HealConnect case management system to provide comprehensive, wraparound support. This position is field-based across all areas of San Diego County, with some in-office work.

PRIMARY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Housing Transition Navigation

• Build rapport and provide culturally sensitive, gender-affirming, and trauma-informed support to all individuals served.
• Conduct ongoing meetings with clients to determine needs, preferences, and goals, and develop and implement a person-centered housing plan that aligns with those goals; update the plan as needed.
• Research available housing options, present options to the individual, accompany them to potential housing sites, and support with the application process for selected locations.
• Support individuals with applications for subsidies and obtaining housing-related documentation.
• Conduct outreach and engagement with individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as with agencies and providers that support them; participate in homeless outreach events with the goal of maintaining an active caseload of 35 clients.
• Conduct outreach with landlords and housing sites to provide information about the program and facilitate access to housing for clients.
• Use evidence-based practices such as motivational interviewing, Housing First, and harm reduction to engage and support individuals in achieving their housing-related goals.

Housing Deposits & One-Time Services

• Identify needs for rental deposits and one-time services and modifications needed to ensure safe and stable housing; obtain approvals, coordinate, and secure related funding.
• Apply for and administer housing deposit funds of up to $5,000 per member, including security deposits, first and last month's rent, utility setup fees, and first month of utilities.
• Assess eligibility for medically necessary items such as air conditioners, heaters, and hospital beds to ensure member homes are move-in safe.
• Coordinate with Neighborhood Networks for administration of housing deposit funds in accordance with program requirements.

Housing Tenancy & Sustaining Services

• Support individuals with maintaining a safe and stable tenancy, including support to reduce and resolve landlord-related issues.
• Assist members with annual housing recertification processes and lease renewals.
• Support members in developing budgeting skills, managing utility payments, and accessing community resources to prevent eviction.
• Link members to community resources that support long-term housing stability, including food assistance, employment services, and social service referrals.

Care Coordination & Collaboration

• Collaborate with Lead Care Managers when members are co-enrolled in ECM to provide complementary, non-duplicative support across housing-specific and broader health and social needs.
• Coordinate with the Neighborhood Networks HUB for Managed Care Plan authorizations, claims management, and case management system support.
• Participate in case consultations, monthly reflective practice sessions, and ongoing workforce training provided by Neighborhood Networks.

Documentation & Compliance

• Complete timely and accurate documentation of eligibility, consent, assessments, progress toward goals, and all communications with the individual, their family, and landlords in the HealConnect case management system.
• Ensure documentation supports Managed Care Plan authorization requirements and claims submission processes.
• Conduct assessments every six months to evaluate continued service eligibility and update housing plans accordingly.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Education/Experience:
  • Minimum one (1) year of experience providing housing navigation or closely related support.
  • Minimum one (1) year of experience supporting individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
  • Minimum one (1) year of experience supporting individuals experiencing mental health, substance use conditions, or medical issues.

• Personal Skills: Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations using culturally sensitive, gender-affirming, trauma-informed, and client-centered approaches.
• Professional Skills:
  • Knowledge of San Diego County's housing resources, social services, and culture.
  • Experience with HealConnect or similar case management platforms is a plus.
• Technology Skills: Intermediate skills in MS Office Suite.
• Language Skills: Fluency in English.

preferred QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education/Experience: College Degree
• Language Skills: Fluency in Spanish is highly preferred.
• Other Skills:
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills, positivity, attention to detail, flexibility, and comfort working in an ever-changing environment.
  • Excellent planning, organizing, analyzing, problem-solving, and time management skills. Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Compensation : The pay range for this position is $23.69 - $24.34 per hour and is commensurate with experience. This is a Full-Time Regular Non-Exempt position 
• Benefits : The CENTER offers a robust benefits package, inclusive of Competitive Pay Scales, 401(k) Retirement Plan (with company match), Full Medical, Dental, Vision, and Chiropractic Health Coverage, Out-of-Pocket Optional Coverage for Spouses, Domestic Partners, and Dependent Children, Full-time and Part-Time Schedules, Generous Vacation and Holiday Benefits, Professional Training & Development Experiences, Opportunities for Promotion & Advancement

Please review the current job openings by clicking the button below. If you believe you possess the heart and skills for any of these (or any other) exciting job opportunities, we encourage you to apply. Instructions for how to apply are included in each job announcement. We regret that we are unable to accept telephone inquiries.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The San Diego LGBT Community Center is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.