POSITION: SSVF Housing Navigator and Case Manager
STATUS: Full-time/Hourly
SUPERVISED BY: SSVFLead Case Manager
OVERVIEW:
To build and maintain relationships with area agencies and organizations to ensure the success of Diakonia’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families housing solutions programs, with targeted coordination with the Veterans Administration’s HUD-VASH program and VA regional personnel. Identify both mainstream and Veteran support services, resources, and referring agencies that may be used as partners to enhance/implement Diakonia’s services for homeless veterans. Develop and mediate relationships with property owners, management companies, and like-minded non-profits for the purposes of prioritizing housing options for veterans, especially those that may qualify for HUD-VASH vouchers. Develop a relationship with HUD to expedite inspections and perform cursory inspections to determine potential for HUD eligibility. This position requires crisis management skills and training, and housing knowledge, with a deep commitment to “Housing First” principles and trauma informed practices. The position requires excellent people skills and a collaborative orientation.
Primary Job Responsibilities/Duties:
- Perform assessments to determine potential barriers to timely lease up of homeless Veterans or those at risk of homelessness, by completing an individualized housing support plan with goals, objectives and time-frames, and coordination of those services with other community providers as needed
- Establish working relationships with; landlords, community services providers, and oversight entities to provide good customer service, ensure responsiveness of supportive services, and achieve high rates of housing stability and other consumer outcomes
- Mitigate any issues with credit reports, utility arrears, criminal records and unfavorable references, as well as potential issues that might jeopardize both the homelessness of the tenant, as well as the desire for landlords to stay engaged if issues become untenable.
- Guide and support Veterans through housing searches and application process and assist with information regarding expanded housing searches when necessary to ensure timely permanent housing placement when choice housing is not available.
- Utilize the habitability standards checklist to ensure appropriate living standards of potential units
- Maintain database and case notes for Veterans assigned, with ongoing status reports of each Veteran toward acquisition of permanent housing.
- Provide financial assistance with application fees, if applicable
- Accompany Veteran on housing search, if indicated. Provide move-in assistance when appropriate, coordinating potential Thrift Store vouchers and Veteran move-in kits.
- Assist with the acquisition of landlord and tenant incentives and awareness of regulation limitations
- Attend weekly case management housing briefings as indicated
- Attend HUD-VASH and PHA meetings as indicated
- Develop housing resource guide for identified jurisdictions
- Provide necessary data to be recorded in HMIS
- Actively participate in Matrix management style of supervision, when it comes to HUD-VASH programmatic oversight
- Maintain communication with HUD VASH case managers of emerging issues related to housing search, or other potential case management opportunities.
- Participate in HUD VASH housing search huddles with housing specialist and appropriate VAMHC staff
- Coordinate with veterans organizations, housing organizations, veterans, and other community partners to educate about new services available under SSVF and assist individuals with securing and maintaining entitlements and benefits through the Veterans Administration or other mainstream income support resources.
- Provide warm hand-offs for housed HUD-VASH clients that are successfully closed. Ensure Satisfaction Survey is indicated.
Compliance, Quality Improvement, Evaluation and Reporting
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives to improve service quality and achieve long-term housing stability for clients
- Adhere to oversight entities’ regulations regarding paperwork and service delivery, especially as it relates to HUD-VASH programming.
- Prepare monthly reports and proposals
- Effectively prioritize and execute tasks in high pressure situations
- Attend professional trainings and conferences to support ongoing learning and quality improvement.
- Adhere to Diakonia’s policies, procedures, and the professional code of ethics.
- Maintain education and training as required by grant expectations.
- Performs other duties as assigned
Required qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferred, with at least 3 years of related experience in case management and human service delivery.
- Knowledge of housing, tenant rights, and related areas.
- Excellent oral, written communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to travel within the community, some rare weekend availability
- Experience with computers and knowledge of commonly used office software, e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, etc.
- Ability to learn relevant technology and software platforms, including HMIS and electronic health records
- Valid driver’s license, and car with current insurance. Mileage reimbursement available per federal regulations.
Preferred qualifications
- Education, experience, certificates or licensure related to housing, tenant rights, or real estate (e.g. HUD Housing Counselor certification, real estate licensure, property management experience)
- Chronic behavioral health issues experience and/or knowledge of substance use disorders preferred.
- Spanish speaking ability is an added asset, but is not required.
- Veteran status a plus.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Physical demands include sitting for extended periods of time, possible bending, and occasional lifting approximately 25 to 30 pounds, regularly using the telephone and regularly moving.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required. Job involves regular travel to designated areas within the tri-county area with intense public contact.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $21.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
