Housing Navigator (52116)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Housing Navigator facilitates successful reentry into the community by ensuring participants have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing following incarceration. This position plays a critical role in reducing homelessness, stabilizing participants in the community, and supporting long-term recovery and reintegration outcomes.

The Housing Navigator works closely with STOP program staff, DAPO, community-based organizations, landlords, and housing authorities to identify and secure appropriate housing placements while addressing participant-specific barriers to housing access. Essential job functions are listed below.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide individualized client support by assessing housing needs, identifying barriers to housing stability, and developing housing-focused discharge plans.
• Assist participants in developing transition and reentry plans that address housing readiness and sustainability.
• Connect participants to permanent housing options aligned with their needs and eligibility criteria.
• Provide ongoing follow-up and support to promote housing retention.
• Assist clients with housing applications and complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork.
• Survey rental markets to identify affordable housing opportunities within the program area.
• Advocate on behalf of participants with prospective landlords, property managers, and housing providers.
• Facilitate documentation collection required for housing eligibility and subsidy programs.
• Coordinate with program staff to ensure housing placements align with overall case management plans.
• Maintain working knowledge of Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and housing subsidy programs, including:
  • Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
  • Shelter Plus Care
  • Veteran’s Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
  • Permanent Supportive Housing
  • Affordable and market-rate housing programs
  • Other local, county, state, and federally funded housing opportunities
• Support participants in understanding eligibility requirements and compliance obligations for subsidized housing programs.
• Conduct outreach in the community routinely (daily, weekly, and monthly) to expand access to housing options.
• Participate in community events throughout the program area to establish and strengthen housing partnerships.
• Recruit landlords and property managers and establish working relationships for the benefit of STOP participants.
• Develop and maintain a landlord database to support ongoing placement efforts.
• Coordinate with STOP Case Managers, Community Service Representatives, and the STOP Placement Office to ensure housing is integrated into broader reentry planning.
• Maintain accurate documentation of housing applications, referrals, placements, and follow-up activities.
• Track housing outcomes and provide data for contract reporting purposes.
• Must Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation; and
• Perform all other duties as assigned.