Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky is hiring for a brand new position! ESNKY’s Housing Navigator will be a pivotal part of our organization, engaging the community in support of finding affordable, stable housing for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Position: Housing Navigator
Employment status: Non-exempt part time 1 year grant funded position (part time- 30 hrs. per week)
Job Summary: The Housing Navigator reports directly to the Operations Manager and will assist persons experiencing homelessness (clients) in locating and obtaining permanent housing and ultimately assist clients in breaking the cycle of homelessness. This will be done by obtaining permanent housing and accessing necessary social services. The Housing Navigator will maintain a pool of housing opportunities by conducting ongoing outreach to landlords, property managers, realtors, public housing authorities, and permanent/supportive housing providers. The Housing Navigator will provide individualized client support by helping each client develop a housing plan with the express focus on securing a stable housing situation and addressing any barriers to obtaining and maintaining permanent housing. The Housing Navigator will work in collaboration with each client to identify specific goals and objectives and engage in services designed to support and choose a stable housing placement. The Housing Navigator will maintain a strong working relationship with local community partners. The Housing Navigator understands that Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky follows a Housing First model.
Duties include:
- Conduct initial housing assessment of clients in the ESNKY programs.
- Conduct research, outreach, education and public relations to maintain a pool of landlords and property management companies willing to rent to clients.
- Help clients identify potential neighborhoods where they wish to live, conduct housing searches, and negotiate with potential landlords on behalf of the clients.
- Establish and maintain relationships with landlords, property management companies, realtors, public housing authorities, and permanent/supportive housing providers.
- Assist in the processing and submission of applications for housing (subsidized and unsubsidized).
- Conduct inspections of potential permanent housing units where clients will reside.
- Work collaboratively with housing case managers and other service providers to assist clients as needed during their move into permanent housing. Such assistance may include accessing rental assistance funds, moving costs, donated furnishings, and other basic household items.
- Work directly with program and administrative staff to process all payment requests. Ensure that all payments are processed and submitted on time.
- Collaborate with client’s assigned housing case manager to insure seamless services and solve any potential issues.
- Provide tenant education including tenant rights and responsibilities, housing discrimination and communication with landlords.
- Maintain a regular and open line of communication with landlords in order to assess the landlords’ satisfaction with the programs and address any questions or concerns that landlords may have.
- Respond to complaints from landlords and clients related to housing conditions and provide mediation as needed.
- Document and maintain up-to-date information on services provided to clients in a data management system.
- Participate in staff meetings and attend trainings as assigned.
- Prepare service activity reports.
- Participate in promotional events sponsored by ESNKY and other partners to educate potential landlords about various programs available to persons experiencing homelessness.
Employees will be responsible to perform any other job-related instructions given by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodations.
Qualifications:
- At minimum a Bachelors’ Degree in Social Work and 1-3 years of work experience in the field of Social Work.
- Clear evidence of a deep passion for the philosophy, mission, and vision of the ESNKY.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; organizational, conflict resolution and computer literacy.
- Ability to work under pressure. Experience in crisis intervention and problem solving with ability to diffuse situations without escalating the conflict.
- Sensitivity to issues surrounding individuals experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, mental illness, or physical ailments.
- Must posses a valid driver’s license and safe reliable transportation, have a safe driving record and carry the minimum insurance as required by ESNKY insurance carrier.
Salary & Benefits: This is a part time position with a salary range between $13- $15 per hour. Benefits will include paid time off for vacation and sick, and others as negotiated. Preference will be given to individuals who present qualifications beyond the minimum. Employment is contingent upon completion of a background check.
Please Email Resume to Brittney.Kane@esnky.net if you are interested in applying.