Housing Navigator

Job Title: Housing Navigator

Location: Fullerton, CA

Position Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Reports To: Community Programs Manager

Organization: Pathways of Hope

The Agency

Since 1975, Pathways of Hope has led a community effort to provide access to food, shelter and housing to those in North Orange County experiencing hunger, housing insecurity and homelessness. We operate a community access point, multiple housing sites and a variety of programming models, and collaborate with a wide array of community partners including local government, school districts, businesses, healthcare providers and other stakeholders engaged in creating a community that provides for the needs of its residents. Our team is dynamic, forward-thinking and works together to uphold the Pathways Standards, which prioritize the people we serve, codify support and growth as core management principles, and establish a culture of philanthropy in which we are bold and fearless advocates for our community.

The Opportunity

Through multiple housing models (Emergency Shelter, Permanent Supportive Housing, Prevention and Diversion) the Pathways of Hope Housing team assists homeless and at-risk families and individuals reduce housing barriers, work toward greater economic opportunity and independence, and strengthen community social service linkages necessary for the student(s) to maintain their housing, end their homelessness and obtain safe, sustainable, permanent housing.

This position works exclusively with our Housing programming in collaboration with Cal State University, Fullerton (CSUF) and their Basic Needs department and requires a flexible work schedule including some weekend, morning, and evening shifts, as well as reliable transportation to attend/visit student units or students on campus at CSUF, potential landlord and student engagements, and community appointments. This position is stationed 80% on-site at our program office in Fullerton and 20% off-site visiting potential housing units, connecting with landlords or students, and attending community meetings, and visiting students on campus at CSUF.

The Candidate

All Pathways of Hope employees must embrace a culture of teamwork, collective success and support in assisting the agency in achieving its mission and vision with a strong focus on the Pathways of Hope Standards. The ideal candidate will possess a strong work ethic, a track record of successful problem-solving, the ability to work independently, and an understanding of homelessness in Orange County. The ideal candidate understands that Case Management and Housing Navigation are collaborative efforts with students.

Job Summary

In collaboration with the Community Programs Manager, CSUF and their Basic Needs department, and the Program Team, the Housing Navigator will work to connect students with prevention funding to assist in preventing them from becoming homeless and/or entering the homelessness system. The Housing Navigator will be responsible for maintaining the CSUF prevention program and service dollars associated with the program to prevent students from becoming homeless and/or assisting them with obtaining permanent housing as quickly as possible. This position will also incorporate CalAIM services with the appropriate Community Supports, as necessary, to support students in their efforts to find and obtain permanent housing.

This position works exclusively with our Housing programming in collaboration with Cal State University, Fullerton (CSUF) and their Basic Needs department and requires a flexible work schedule including some weekend, morning, and evening shifts, as well as reliable transportation to attend/visit student units or students on campus at CSUF, potential landlord and student engagements, and community appointments. This position is stationed 80% on-site at our program office in Fullerton and 20% off-site visiting potential housing units, connecting with landlords or students, and attending community meetings, and visiting students on campus at CSUF.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Receives prevention referrals from CSUF Basic Needs department for students who need prevention assistance
• CSUF will be responsible for confirming student need and eligibility before referring them over
• Completes all necessary intake paperwork (internal, eligibility, HMIS, CalAIM), collects all students’ identifying documentation and provides an initial program orientation 
• Gives overview of prevention program expectations with students
• Develops an individual case management plan, including financial planning and housing goals collaboratively with each student, as applicable
• Inputs student data in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and other data management systems accurately and in a timely manner, within 72 hours of a service being provided
• Enrolls students into the Coordinated Entry System and refers to appropriate community queues, as needed
• Creates service referrals in CalOptima’s ‘CalOptima Connect’ database system and requests authorization(s) for Community Support(s), as applicable
• Completes intake with students for CalAIM Community Support program(s), as needed
• Provides Housing Navigation, Deposits, and Tenancy support for all eligible and authorized students through CalAIM and completes ongoing activities in ‘CalOptima Connect’ database, ongoing and as applicable
• Provide students with financial literacy and tools for successful housing stability
• Apply knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate students about their rights and responsibilities
• Assesses housing barriers of families and individuals experiencing homelessness or those at risk to determine housing and service needs, as applicable
• Applies knowledge of relationship-building to maintain landlord relations
• Provides landlord mediation on behalf of the student as needed
• Serves as an ongoing liaison between property managers and students
• Provides direct student support through ongoing case management, as applicable
• Keeps appropriate records and completes all forms in a confidential and professional manner
• Provides diversion efforts to support linking student(s) to natural support systems, as necessary
• Collects student documents and determines eligibility for financial assistance, as necessary
• Connects students to financial support including, but not limited to, security deposits and application fees, rental assistance, miscellaneous fees, etc.
• Tracks and manages program activities, student data, and statistics
• Keeps accurate records of program activities and assists in the completion of reports
• Maintains detailed records for prevention student follow-ups, tracking updates and assisting with stability
• Collaborates with CSUF department staff, ongoing, for program and student updates
• Creates schedules and regularly meets with students, tracking progress toward goals in detailed case files with charts, progress notes, and outcome evaluation
• Implements a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and harm reduction plan to overcome barriers to obtain and retain housing while working with students
• Makes appropriate referrals to the student needs/provide information and referrals for ancillary services
• Maintains relationships with CSUF, existing partners and cultivates partnerships with additional community organizations
• Represents Pathways of Hope and CSUF at community meetings and presentations, as needed
• Works with the Development Team and CSUF to create and document program achievements in the form of success stories and student photographs, as applicable
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge

• Housing Program Models and best practices
• Trauma-Informed and Housing First Methods
• Harm Reduction Strategies
• Motivational Interviewing
• Other various counseling methods and conflict resolution techniques founded in strengths-based approach
• HUD definition of homelessness, Chronic homelessness, Prevention and Diversion
• CalOptima Heath and CalAIM Community Supports
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Hunger and homelessness issues affecting Orange County community is preferred
• Local housing resources and community-based services

Skills and Abilities

• Respond to crisis with the ability to de-escalate the situation
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student information
• Work with people from diverse economic and socio-cultural backgrounds
• Excellent boundary-setting skills
• Excellent interpersonal and rapport building skills
• Professional communication skills (verbal and written) and intermediate computer skills
• Interpret, apply, and explain policies and procedures
• Represent the program and agency in a positive manner within the community
• Be punctual, organized, and willing to take initiative
• Work independently with little or no direction
• Problem-solve (identify issues and look for solutions/proactively seek to improve processes)
• Prioritize and multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Exceptional organizational, planning, and coordination skills
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, volunteers, and other partners

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Social Work, or a similar major
• Previous experience in case management/housing navigation, preferably working with unhoused individuals, families and/or persons in crisis
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and case management software including HMIS preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish required

Compensation

This is a full-time position with compensation of $27.00 per hour. Typical hours would be Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm with occasional shift changes and attendance at evening and weekend events required.

Benefits available include health, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, a generous paid holidays schedule and a retirement plan enrollment option. As part of its cultural values, Pathways of Hope respects and values work/life balance.

Physical Job Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time while working at a computer.
• Uses hands and fingers to operate computers and office equipment for up to 8 hours a day
• Requires clear vision at 20 inches or less with or without corrective lenses and vision sufficient to use equipment or operate a car safely.
• Hearing and speech within normal ranges and sufficient for clear communication face to face and on the telephone
• Lifts up to 20 pounds regularly and 30 pounds occasionally.
• Exposed to typical office environment conditions and noise levels

Equal Opportunity

Pathways of Hope is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Commute:

• Fullerton, CA 92832 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Fullerton, CA 92832: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person