Housing Navigator - Streetwork

Job Description

Summary:

Streetwork Project is the oldest street outreach program for homeless and street-involved youth in New York City. The program has grown from its beginnings in 1984 as a storefront project to encompass both outreach and comprehensive harm reduction services. The core service is long-term, one-on-one counseling, which is offered in a non-judgmental and holistic manner utilizing a harm reduction approach that focuses on building trust, fostering self-esteem, exploring options and choices, and empowering youth to change their high-risk behaviors.

Responsibilities:

Learn and integrate a trauma-informed, client-centered approach, using an anti-oppressive lens, into your work with clients.

The role of the Housing Navigator is to assist households in receipt of a housing voucher through the processes of locating, leasing, and moving into housing within 120 days of voucher issuance. This is a predominately field based position and will require travel within the five boroughs and possibly to adjacent communities in NYS and NJ if a household is interested in porting.

Housing Navigators will coordinate with DYCD and their contracted providers to manage an ongoing caseload of individuals/households in receipt of a housing voucher.

Essential Job Functions:

Engaging with DYCD and DYCD contracted providers to connect with households in receipt of a housing voucher.

Engaging in phone and field-based outreach to assigned a housing voucher households, including engaging with clients in shelter and other settings.

Assist the household with acquiring the necessary documentation and mitigate issues with credit reports, utility arrears, and unfavorable landlord references as necessary.

Assisting a housing voucher recipients with the process of securing housing including but not limited to, coordinating and attending apartment interviews; acquiring and submitting apartment applications, supporting documentation, and forms; navigating the various rental subsidy and inspection processes; securing applicable move-in assistance; and coordinating move-ins with landlords and other relevant stakeholders.

Providing participants with listings of potential housing options in alignment with participants’ housing needs and geographic preferences.

Assist with landlord applications

Assist with HRA Broker Fee, Security Voucher, moving expenses

Adding unit to HOME database, when necessary

Arrange for timely inspections and landlord corrective action, in coordination with relevant city agencies

Explain and review the lease and sublease agreement with the client

Educating voucher recipients on their rights and responsibilities as tenants.

Maintain accurate, comprehensive and current documentation and provide reports as needed.

Follow up with residents once they are placed housing

Coordinate with the Senior Housing Coordinator and RHY Team at DYCD

Secondary Job Functions:

Engagement of youth into program structure (harm reduction philosophy, rules, mutual respect)

Facilitate access to daily living needs (food, clothes, hygiene supplies, space to rest) as needed

Perform related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Supervisory Reports:

None

Interacts with:

All Streetwork Sites, working closely with the following: Director, Housing & Benefits Resources; Program Coordinator, Housing Navigation; and Case Managers

External stakeholders, including DYCD; NYCHA; HRA; landlords and property management companies

Qualifications:

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

Experience with the housing process and housing applications in NYC.

Experience working with landlords, brokers and the rental market in NYC.

Experience in case management or project management.

Knowledge of tenant rights in NYC and experience advocating for fair housing.

Proficiency with computers navigating in multiple systems and web-based applications.

Strong oral and written communication skills.

Ability to prioritize responsibilities, handle multiple projects simultaneously and delegate responsibilities when appropriate

Have strong attention to detail

Have excellent interpersonal skills

Experience working with youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.

Desired Knowledge and Skills:

Compassionate approach to others and openness to new ideas

Dynamic energy, able to multi-task and negotiate multiple demands on attention

Non-judgmental approach and ability to empathize with others

Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills, excellent interpersonal and organizational skills

Bi-lingual--Spanish or French language reading, writing, and comprehension skills

Understanding of harm reduction perspective

Education:

Required:

BA/BS preferred

Experience:

Required:

Two years of full-time satisfactory professional experience in housing, homelessness, case management, or a related field

Experience working with youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.

Other:

Full time, some nights, and weekends

Requires extensive traveling throughout the five boroughs of NYC and surrounding area, including to properties and client apartments; landlord offices; HRA and NYCHA offices/buildings.

Hiring Range: $26.92 - $30.29 Hourly

Full-time Hours: 35 Hours per week

Full-time Benefits: Vacation Time, Paid Sick Time, Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(b) Retirement Plan, Company Life Insurance, Medical/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Tuition Assistance Program, Commuter Benefits Program, Gym Reimbursement, Parental Leave, Employee Learning Center

If hired, I agree to abide by all of Safe Horizon’s rules and regulations, and understand that, if employed, my employment may be terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, at the option of either the company or me. I further understand that no representation, whether oral or written by any representative or agent of the organization, at any time, constitutes a contract of employment.

AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Technology Statement:

Applicants may be responsible for providing the equipment and tools they need to work remotely as required, such as access to a computer, internet service, and phone service. Safe Horizon will discuss potential solutions with candidates and may assist where needed and agreed to in advance.Please follow this link to view complete EEO Law and complaint filing information:

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Full-time