Housing Support Navigator at The Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless – Rockville, Maryland

General Description: The Housing Support Navigator is responsible for removing barriers to housing and assisting clients in quickly locating and securing affordable housing. As an integral part of the Housing Support Navigator’s responsibilities, this person is required to create and maintain relationships with apartment communities and private landlords who will house NSES clients. The Housing Support Navigator works collaboratively with the NSES Case Management Team and will work as a member of the larger Montgomery County Continuum of Care. The Housing Support Navigator also provides training to clients on various housing opportunities, how to maintain a household, and other necessary training as it pertains to housing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Proactively seek new housing opportunities, including a robust network of room rental possibilities and resources to successfully house clients

· Maintain a current Housing Directory which includes all housing providers/contacts (e.g., apartment communities, private landlords), as well as documenting all communication with providers in HMIS.

· Meet with every individual entering the shelter within one week of shelter entry to determine the type of housing most appropriate for the individual and to support the creation and updates to the Individual Housing Plan (IHP) to help the client move out of the shelter quickly.

· Conduct roommate matching assessments and workshops.

· Maintain spreadsheets to track client move out plans.

· Ensure that clients have the minimum supplies they need to move out of the shelter and into housing.

· Provide intense follow-up to ensure clients successfully move out in a timely manner.

· Negotiate leases on behalf of clients in collaboration with housing case managers and the client.

· Provide client transportation to and from housing options, including accompanying clients to housing interviews.

· Assist clients with referrals to various housing programs and with applying for rental assistance

· Assist clients during their move to housing in collaboration with the case managers

· Develop and facilitate life skills courses for clients including tenant rights and responsibilities, housing discrimination, communicating with landlords and others

· Provide housing availability, including Fair Market Rate rentals as established by HUD, voucher programs, public housing programs, room rentals, and transitional housing programs, to shelter team and clients efficiently.

· Attend Montgomery County’s Coordinated Entry Bi-weekly team meetings.

· Maintain documentation of training, budgets, housing contacts, client contacts, and other pertinent information in accordance with agency and best standard practice.

· Participate in staff meetings and trainings as directed by supervisor.

· Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field preferred.

· One year of hands-on experience in social/human services field dealing with diverse populations and assisting them to locate housing (e.g. public and private options).

· Knowledge of the Housing First Model, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, and Harm Reduction.

· Knowledge of principles, methods and procedures in working with addiction, mental illness and co-occurring diagnosed populations.

· Experience and excitement about conducting outreach and cultivating on-going relationships with private landlords.

· Ability to negotiate and maintain positive relationships with co-workers and clients.

· Ability to develop strong professional relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness

· Knowledge and experience in administering CPR and minor first aid.

· Advanced in entering data into databases, Excel spreadsheets, Microsoft Office suite proficiency required.

· Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.

· Advocate for homeless population.