Housing Navigator

“Every person deserves compassion, dignity, and the safety of a place to call home.”

Homelessness is the largest social and public health crisis in California. Illumination Foundation (IF) is a growing non-profit organization dedicated towards disrupting the cycle of homelessness by providing targeted, interdisciplinary services in our recuperative care centers, emergency shelters, housing services and children’s and family programs. IF currently has 13+ facilities with 22+ micro-communities scattered across Orange County, Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire.

Job Description

Housing Navigators play a crucial role in collaborating with prospective property owners and managers to facilitate housing opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness and those at risk of becoming homeless. Their responsibilities include conducting outreach and providing educational resources about available subsidies and security deposit assistance. Additionally, they serve as a single point of contact for property owners and managers, highlighting cost-saving benefits associated with tenant turnover services targeted at at-risk populations. The services offered encompass assessments, harm reduction strategies, trauma-informed care, and resource coordination aimed at promoting self-sufficiency through the development of life skills necessary for securing permanent housing.

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $25.00 per hour, depending on experience.

Responsibilities

• Must be able to maintain a caseload between 30-35 clients
• Ensure client’s needs are met by establishing and executing an individualized housing plan encompassing the (tenant screening, tenant assessment and housing goals with action steps).
• Participating in weekly Interdisciplinary Care Team and/ or Service Planning Area (SPA) meetings focusing on initiatives related to housing and homelessness.
• Enroll families & individuals into the CES bed reservation through the Homeless management information system (HMIS) database (If applicable).
• Client contacts are to be on a weekly basis or a minimum of four days of service each month.

Client Support:

• Monitor client progress and collaborate with members of the clients care team to assess program effectiveness, develop strategies, and support goal attainment.
• Provide crisis intervention and counseling, guiding clients through life skills development, therapeutic interventions, and community engagement activities to help them overcome barriers.
• Assist clients with housing searches, applications and resource connections for additional needs.
• Link clients to resources to assist clients’ psycho-social and daily needs such as health care, food, hygiene items, and referrals to other agencies for permanent supportive housing
• Assist families and individuals with housing resources
• General understanding of the community supports programs in connection with Department of Health and Care Services (DHCS)

Documentation:

• Understand GIRP notes as a provided structured format for documenting
• Document client progress and outcomes in the Electrical Health Record system (EHR) and HMIS systems while coordinating with case management to identify resources that address health, housing, and daily living needs.

Landlord Engagement:

• Verify the client’s move-in expenses and/or furniture needs while collecting all relevant supporting documentation related to housing.
• Engage in networking with landlords, property managers, and other community stakeholders.
• Perform walkthroughs of prospective units to assess health and housing quality standards, if applicable.
• Acquire a comprehensive understanding of fair housing laws, local housing regulations, and various housing programs available within the community.

Confidentiality and Professionalism:

• Must maintain client PIF according to HIPPA
• Act in an ethical manner reflecting core values of integrity, transparency, accountability, respect and responsibility. The above acts reproach all that is done on behalf of Illumination Foundation.
• Must accept personal responsibility and accountability for performance of duties.
• Must maintain confidentiality of work-related information and materials.

Preferred Experience/Minimum Qualifications

Required:

• Possess a valid CA Driver’s License and have eligibility for Company vehicle insurance

• High school Diploma or equivalent

• Professional verbal and written communication skills

• Have access to a vehicle

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office/Teams (Mail, Docs, Sheets, Calendar)

Preferred:

• At least 6 months to 1 year of previous case management experience

• Experience working in a non-profit or community-based organization with homeless individuals and/or families experiencing literal or at-risk homelessness.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance funded up to 91% by Illumination Health + Home (Kaiser and Blue Shield), depending on the plan
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life, AD&D and LTD Insurance funded 100% by Illumination Foundation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development Reimbursement
• 401K with Company Matching
• 10 days vacation PTO/year
• 6 days sick PTO/year
• 10 days holiday PTO/year
• Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSFL) for federally qualified loans