Youth Housing Navigator

Background 

Youth Empowered Society (YES) prevents and eliminates youth homelessness through the synergy of youth/peer and ally partnerships. The organization’s vision is that all of Baltimore’s youth will easily access supportive services and stable housing to become powerful in their own lives. Founded by youth and continuously informed by youth perspective, our drop-in center offers a safe space and community of belonging alongside basic needs, support services, and housing case management. 

Role

The Youth Housing Navigator functions as an integral member of the YES team, reflecting the essential value that youth, peer and ally partnerships provide the organization with its strength and uniqueness. The Housing Navigator assists young adults ages 14-25 at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness with obtaining and maintaining housing, especially through collecting documentation and supporting steps related to Baltimore City’s Coordinated Access process. Though focused on one specific area of housing support, overall this role is similar to case managers in providing direct youth-centered and strengths-based support that encourages youth and supports them in accomplishing self-determined goals, with the ultimate goal of equipping them to thrive and be powerful in their own lives. 

Note: this role is subject to grant funding, and the hiring process may be impacted by grant notification/timing. 

Responsibilities 

Housing Navigation

• Build authentic, caring relationships with youth via individual meetings and staffing drop-in center
• Assist eligible youth to collect their documentation of income, forms of ID, proof of disability, and proof of literal homeless (all components of Coordinated Access process) 
• Serve as leading member of case management team in terms of Coordinated Access, by supporting all steps involved and staying diligent about follow up tasks for youth to ensure continued progress towards fully completing process and getting on city housing list
• Streamline the complex Coordinated Access process for youth and the YES Youth Services team overall, and therefore reduce the time individuals remain in homelessness
• Communicate regularly with Youth Service Advocates and ensure appropriate division of responsibilities for supporting youth 
• Facilitate referrals to and from community organizations as needed 

Reporting

• Note all client interactions in client files in a timely manner
• Maintain case notes of participant meetings and record participant services in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
• Ensure program compliance with client documentation/reporting standards with agency policy/procedures
• Ensure confidentiality of all client records and information
• Report monthly, quarterly and annual statistics to appropriate funding sources
• Work with the YES staff team to continually improve systems to track and transmit youth outputs and outcomes

Networking & System Work 

• Serve as main Coordinated Access liaison with Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services and attend case conferencing bimonthly 
• Attend regular meetings with other service providers to share information and resources
• Work with colleagues from other agencies on joint projects as approved by supervisor
• Advocate for systems change and engage/support youth in advocacy efforts as appropriate 

Other

• Manage and supervise youth in the drop-in space, which may look like:
• Handing out food, clothing, hygiene items, etc. 
• Facilitating basic needs support like showers, laundry, or meals
• Leading a life skills or peer mentorship group 
• Assisting with youth-choice activities like computer use (often for job or training applications, etc.) 
• Work closely with YES’s team to study and continually develop our trauma-informed / resiliency / strengths-based approach to our work, practiced through the lens of race equity
• Advocate with youth, staff, and community partners for equity and opportunity in matters of housing, employment, education, etc. for youth/young adults experiencing homelessness
• Occasionally lead an activity / groups for youth

Desired Qualifications

• Those with lived experience of homelessness prioritized
• A Social Work or related degree and/or previous equivalent experience 
• Experience working with youth and/or families experiencing homelessness 
• Desire to support youth in a fast-paced environment and belief/investment in redistributing power to them
• Teamwork and service oriented, with collaborative demeanor and strong communication skills
• Commitment to advancing racial equity across systems in Baltimore
• Demonstrated belief and experiences with Housing First, Trauma Informed Care and Harm Reduction philosophies