Job Details
Level
Experienced
Job Location
Beaverton, OR
Position Type
Full Time
Salary Range
$22.00 Hourly
Job Category
Nonprofit – Social Services
Description
The Housing Navigator will respond to referrals from targeted populations to support houseless individuals with extremely low incomes, one or more disabling conditions, and who are experiencing or at imminent risk of long-term or frequent episodes of literal homelessness. The Housing Navigator will carry a caseload of approximately 15 individuals at a given time and will add new individuals to their caseload as slots become available. This position may also engage in homeless outreach as needed and provide a bridge to services for individuals who are currently unengaged with other community services and supports. The position is largely based in the community and will work closely with Continuum of Care (COC), Multnomah County Joint of Homeless Services, the Multnomah County Shelter network, COC Housing providers and private property owners.
Accountabilities:
Housing Navigator:
- Complete Coordinated Access Assessment for homeless individuals as needed
- Establish an active caseload from referrals resulting from Coordinated Access Assessment and coordinated entry of individuals who would benefit from housing case management which include, but is not limited to, the following authorized activities: outreach and engagement; intake and assessment; service planning; housing location services; housing and move-in/rental assistance; connections to health, mental health, behavior health, substance use disorder services; and other wraparound services as needed and requested by the participant; ongoing monitoring and follow-up; assistance with benefits establishment, transportation, and legal issues; crisis management; eviction prevention; participant education (life skills, budgeting, tenancy requirements) to support housing retention
- Actively assist individuals in determining housing and COC program eligibility, locating appropriate open units and transportation to view and lease units as appropriate
- Coordinate with the ASSIST Team, Rent Well Providers, and DHS as needed to address needs of individuals on their caseload
- Develop and implement an Individualized Case Management Plan (ICMP) in collaboration with the participant based on needs and barriers identified in the Coordinated Access Assessment.
- Assist individuals to obtain permanent housing. Establish relationships with property management companies, landlords, and other housing providers.
- Assist individuals to retain housing–through retention planning, community integration support, skills training, case management (linkage to community resources, coordination of support, etc.), peer support, regularly scheduledcontact and home visits, monitoring and assessment of progress, communication and coordination with landlord and other support team members, housing (and other) crisis intervention services, and other services that promote housing stability and achievement of other life goals.
Pre-enrollment job duties
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- Participate in regular outreach and in-reach activities to connect with active and potential program participants
- Conduct pre-engagement and engagement meetings as needed
- Identify barriers to service and support, such as transportation problems, or need for emergency assistance (clothing, blankets, etc.), design short-term solutions for meeting individual’s basic and self- identified needs
- Assess for eligibility for resources and assist individual to apply
- Respond to referrals from outreach subcommittee, triage referrals, and proceed with linkage to services as appropriate
- Assist individual to gain access to mental health services by linking with an appropriate mental health agency; coordinate intake and assessment for mental health services as appropriate
- Assist participants in accessing appropriate temporary housing as desired through referrals, until permanent housing is secured. Temporary housing may include but not be limited to, non-congregate shelter, congregate shelter, transitional housing, privately funded shelters, and other temporary housing opportunities.
- Follow individual through the first steps of engagement and referral to permanent Caseworkers or service and support resources, as needed, and ensure coordinated transition to those resources before terminating with individuals who do not meet program eligibility
Administrative
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- Document all activities, engagement, and housing services provided in HMIS
- Enrollment and intake for eligible individuals in HMIS
- Attend all agency and community meetings as assigned; collaborate with other providers to ensure seamless services to this population
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Other General Expectations:
- Attend and positively participate in required meetings
- Pursue ongoing development of skills and competencies
- Follow all corporate policies, procedures, and protocols
- Maintain current Oregon Driver’s License and insurance
- Follow through on all directives and instructions
- Maintain security of all corporate interests
- This position may require working in a variety of locations and settings including working outdoors in all weather conditions, inside other agencies and with outside organizations. Some nights and weekends may be required.
Positions Reporting:
None
Education/Certificates/Licenses/Registration:
Peer Support Specialist, Peer Wellness Specialist, Qualified Mental Health Associate, or Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor preferred. Experience working with adults diagnosed with severe mental illness, and computer literacy is required. Valid driver’s license and insurance is required.
Qualifications
Must have experience providing outreach and/or supportive housing services to homeless individuals and be familiar with the needs of homeless individuals. Strong Motivational Interviewing and Assertive Engagement desired. Experience addressing Substance Use Disorders issues desired. Familiarity with mental health service delivery system preferred. Experience with case management and/or housing services preferred. BA in Psychology or related field and/or Qualified Mental Health Associate certification preferred. Lived experience (mental health, substance use recovery, houselessness, etc. preferred. Certificate in peer-services (Traditional Health Worker, Peer Support Specialist, Recovery Mentor, etc.) preferred.
Must possess the ability to interface with other agencies, actively work in partnership with community stakeholders in a collaborative manner, and represent the agency in a professional manner. Must be able to work independently. Ability to develop and follow policies and procedures for fieldwork in an unstructured setting desired.