Affordable and Supportive Housing Navigator

Title: Affordable and Supportive Housing Navigator

Reports to: Manager, Affordability and Sustainable Housing

Description: The City of Newark’s Division of Affordability and Sustainable Housing, is seeking to hire a Housing Navigator.

The Housing Navigator will have strong engagement and motivating skills. And is responsible for connecting individuals and families with housing and related resources. This includes identifying funding to assist with application fees, security deposits and first and last month's rent. The Housing Navigator will also work in close coordination with the City’s Division of Homeless Services to provide housing search and supportive services to promote participants self-sufficiency, integration into the community, and permanency in housing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Note: This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

• Assess housing barriers of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to determine housing and service needs.
• Assist participants in locating and securing housing of their choice.
• Conduct intakes with residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and refer them to emergency housing services for Prevention and Rapid Rehousing.
• Support budget monitoring by tracking expenditures, processing invoices and approving new program participants.
• In coordination with the Division of Homeless Services, ensure quality standards for emergency housing and supportive services are achieved and sustained throughout contracted shelters by conducting site visits, interviewing staff, and reviewing policies, rules and reports.
• Comprehensive case management services to meet the varied and complex needs of individuals who are homeless, and work to connect clients to a long-term housing solution.
• Collects and prepares data and reports on housing intakes, placements and program outcomes.
• Engage field-based outreach to learn about housing resources; build relationships with landlords, brokers and real estate agencies.
• Conduct comprehensive housing assessments, housing planning and client-driven housing searches based on the individual clients' needs.
• Assist clients with housing search and identify housing options.
• Act as client advocate in securing appropriate housing.
• Collect all necessary documentation needed to support assistance.
• Extensive record keeping, data entry and documentation of services in HMIS. (Homeless Management Information System).
• Maintain comprehensive files and statistics required by funding sources.
• Keep current with landlord laws, ordinances and regulations that impact housing.
• Attend trainings, workshops, seminars, community events and conferences related to this position.
• Under the leadership of the Manager of Affordability and Sustainable Housing, develop an Inclusionary Zoning Resident Preparedness workshops
• Responsible for maintaining confidential, professional boundaries with all clients.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or 3 years’ experience.
• 2 to 3 years’ experience in Case management, community outreach/fieldwork preferred.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Basic computer skills.

Requirements:

• City of Newark resident.
• Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.
• On occasion walk or drive to different local sites throughout the day.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, and occasionally lift or carry up to 35lbs.
• Combination of field and office environment.
• May necessitate working in busy and loud environments.
• May be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise, and odor.
• Work regularly in a community that is exposed to gang activity, substance use, homelessness, and high unemployment rates.
• This is not a work-from-home position.

Schedule:

Full-time, 40 hours per week

Monday through Friday with flexible hours

No Holiday pay

Compensation:

$80,000 salary. This is a one-year, contractual position, health benefits are not included.

Qualified candidates should email a cover letter and resume to:

Taquan Williams, Manager

Office of Affordability and Sustainable Housing

williamst@ci.newark.nj.us