Job Title: 1115 Waiver Housing Navigator
Department: WNYICC
Reports to: Director of Housing Services
Status: Non-Exempt
Location: In-person
Travel: Occasional travel required for outreach, client visits, and agency meetings.
Hours: Full Time 35 Hrs/Wk (Monday-Friday), May involve working evenings or weekends to meet client needs.
Minimum Salary: $19.75
Maximum Salary: $21.00
Position Summary
The Housing Navigator is responsible for supporting Medicaid Managed Care members with housing-related needs by assisting them in finding, securing, and maintaining safe, stable, and affordable housing. This position plays a key role in the 1115 Medicaid Waiver initiative, focusing on enhanced Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) housing services, including Pre-Tenancy Support, Tenancy Sustaining Services, Housing Transition and Navigation, Rent/Temporary Housing Assistance, and Community Transition Supports.
This is a fast-paced, detail-driven role that requires a high level of organization, independent decision-making, and strong follow-through. The work environment more closely mirrors insurance or case management workflows than traditional social work, emphasizing documentation accuracy, efficiency, and timely response to evolving member needs. The Housing Navigator manages a caseload of approximately 50 to 60 members with varying levels of need and must be able to prioritize tasks and adapt quickly in a dynamic setting.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Housing Navigation & Transition Support
- Assist members in identifying and transitioning to permanent housing.
- Provide Pre-Tenancy services, including housing search, application assistance, and preparation for lease interviews.
- Work with members to navigate housing systems (e.g., HUD vouchers, Continuum of Care referrals, MRT Housing Programs).
- Coordinate with landlords, housing providers, and relevant community agencies.
2. Rent/Temporary Housing Services
- Guide eligible members through access to short-term housing and rental subsidies.
- Assist with completing rental and utility applications and supporting documentation.
- Help secure temporary or transitional housing, ensuring alignment with eligibility criteria.
3. Community Transition Supports
- Facilitate one-time housing-related services such as moving assistance, security deposits, household goods, and pantry stocking.
- Coordinate access to utility setup and back payments as needed.
4. Tenancy Sustaining Services
- Provide education on tenant rights, eviction prevention strategies, and assistance with housing-related disputes.
- Collaborate with members to develop individualized tenancy plans.
5. Coordination and Documentation
- Collaborate with Social Care Navigators to ensure accurate eligibility assessments and service planning.
- Track and document all services, referrals, outcomes, and follow-up activities in the designated platform.
- Ensure timely and accurate reporting to meet program and reimbursement requirements.
Qualifications
Required:
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, Public Health, or a related field.
- At least 1 year of experience in housing navigation, case management, care coordination, or a similar supportive role.
- Working knowledge of local housing systems, subsidies, and homelessness prevention resources.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet program benchmarks.
- Experienced in managing documentation and communication through Google Docs, Sheets, Gmail, and case management software.
Preferred:
- Experience working with Medicaid populations or individuals with complex health and social needs.
- Experience working in insurance claims or call center
- Bilingual abilities (Spanish or other language) are a plus.
YWCA Jamestown is an inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We strongly encourage applications from people of all races, religions, national origins, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and ages, as well as veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Some candidates may see the job requirements and feel discouraged because they don’t match every instance – we suggest they apply anyway. If you believe this is a role that you’ll be excited to work in every day, want to be a part of our culture and great organization, and will be relentless about social justice and equity, please apply.
- YWCA Jamestown is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, marital status, status as a covered veteran, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. Further, the YWCA will provide reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of applicants and employees.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $19.75 - $21.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
