Housing Navigator at Houston Housing Authority

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Housing Navigator is primarily responsible for assisting tenant-based and place- based voucher clients in identifying and leasing quality, residential units.  This position actively seeks, establish and maintain relationships with landlords, Owners, Property Management Agents and/or Realtors.  Also, serves as an integral member of local Homeless Service partners and works collaboratively with all local Continuum of Care (CoC) partners, representatives of other private/public partners to ensure HCVP clients have access to quality housing options.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Proactively seek out new housing opportunities and resources to refer applicants and existing clients to available housing units. 
• Maintain on-going relationships with landlords and other housing providers, including acting as a liaison between landlord and client as needed.
• Explain admission criteria and application process, to landlords.
• Maintain a Landlord Directory to include documentation of all contacts with housing providers. 
• Provide consistent updates on housing availability.
• Provide updated information to the Landlord corner located at the Fountain View office.
• Organize/facilitate landlord engagement events.
• Provide information and referrals to resources to assist households in leasing a unit (such assistance may include accessing rental assistance money, donated furnishings and coordinating with volunteer movers).
• Develop and maintain knowledge of information on housing assistance programs.
• Educate landlords on HCVP program and rental subsidy program requirements, including timeframe, family obligations, HQS standards, HAP contracts and payments.
• Educate clients regarding tenant rights and responsibilities, housing discrimination, finding and securing rental housing, communication with landlords and fair housing.
• Assist in hosting client Briefings for new admission, moves and ports.
• Attend meetings, community events and workshops to promote and marketing HCVP program and other agency programs.
• Create and update educational material to orient clients on the voucher leasing process.
• Address applicant and client inquiries to expediate voucher leasing, along with resolving complaints.
• Assist applicants and clients in negotiations with Landlords, Owners and/or Property Management Agents regarding rents, leases and admission criteria.
• Assists with assigned tasks to ensure a minimum Voucher Success Rate of 75% and a 98% Utilization Rate. 
• Collaborate internal to resolve operational issues delaying voucher leasing.
• Provides limited mediation services between landlords and program participants to expediate voucher leasing. 
• Assists in the management and resolution of program complaints and violations in a professional, client-oriented manner.
• Performs special projects/work as assigned. 
• Keep abreast of changes in regulations affecting HCVP admission, leasing and moves.
• Collaborate with the other HCVP staff and/or the Legal Department on program terminations and administrative hearings regarding intake/moves/ports.
• Maintain reports, dashboards, and electronic reporting, using the HCVP systems and software, as directed.
• Responsible for processing change of ownership requests.
• Other duties as assigned to benefit the mission and goals of the agency.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of HUD policies and other federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations related to low-income housing and the Houston Housing Authority policies.
• Knowledge of good public policy practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of the management skills required to analyze programs, policies and operational needs.
• Demonstrable knowledge of HUD Housing Choice Voucher and HQS inspection policies and procedures. 
• Business English and basic mathematics.
• Ability to communicate with and relate to persons of diverse backgrounds and abilities and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with participants, landlords and the public.
• Ability to meet both internal and external deadlines.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, organize, and coordinate tasks, independently. 
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing. 

COMPLEXITY / SCOPE OF WORK

• Employee performs multifaceted work requiring a deep understanding of HUD rules and requirements relative to the Housing Choice Voucher Program Leasing
• Employee must be able to handle complex interpersonal situations involving conflict between tenants and landlords with skill and professionalism.
• Employee works with the all levels of Leadership, Supervisors and applicants, clients, landlords, contractors and community partners.  
• Employee’s work is essential to the successful leasing of HCVP vouchers.  
• Employee’s efforts affect the Houston Housing Authority’s ability to earn administrative fees and to obtain additional vouchers and funding.

GUIDELINES

• Work is performed according to existing procedures or written guidelines such as HUD regulations, handbooks, desk references, or existing records.  
• Employee will not be required to use independent judgment in making recommendations and decisions.  
• Employee has significant responsibility to comply with procedures and guidelines.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

• Positions does not have any supervisory responsibilities.
• As directed, the position is responsible to adhere to compliance and performance goals.
• Receives both written and oral instructions.  
• Employee must be able to work independently, performing complex work in an accurate and timely manner without close supervision.   
• The position entails balancing competing priorities and achieving organizational goals.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

• Employee has continual contact with other employees and occasionally, program participants and landlords. 
• Most contacts are structured in nature and the employee is expected to use normal tact and professional courtesy.  
• Occasionally, a contact may be uncooperative or antagonistic and the employee would be expected to use above-average tact and courtesy. Failure to respond courteously could adversely affect the public’s opinion of the program and the Houston Housing Authority.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Employee’s work involves primarily sedentary office work in a typical office environment. 
• There is some degree of stress resulting from contact with applicants, participants, landlords, the public and other employees. 
• Work involves the normal risks or discomforts associated with an office environment. 
• Work hours may vary from the normal core hours of the agency and on occasion may involve weekend work, including non-business hours during natural disasters.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate’s Degree in Business Administration or related field preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in Housing Specialist, Social Work, Case Management, Service Coordination and/or Real Estate including negotiation and advocacy. 
• Bilingual in Spanish/English preferred.
• Experience conducting group training and working with diverse populations.
• Certification in HCV Housing Specialists required within the first year of employment (training and tests at Houston Housing Authority’s expense).
• Bondable.
• Valid Texas driver’s license or obtain such within the first thirty (30) days of employment.
• Eligibility for coverage under Houston Housing Authority fleet auto insurance.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.