Housing Navigator presso New Opportunities, Inc.

Description

Full-Time, Non-Union, Non-Exempt Position

$21.00 per hour, 40 hours per week

BASIC FUNCTION OF HOUSING NAVIGATOR:

Provide customer driven housing assistance services which focus on the identification of long-term housing sustainability objectives. Implement a process which assists individuals/families in assessing their needs and strengths, coordinates program services for which they may be eligible, and supports the empowerment of families to be their own advocates.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF HOUSING NAVIGATOR:

• Represent agency at the Coordinated Access Network CAN meetings. 
• Collaborate closely with families to co-create a housing stabilization plan informed by the Critical Time Intervention (CTI) model. Empower them to cultivate their strengths, including skill identification and practice, fostering self-sufficiency.
• Facilitate the intake, screening, and housing-focused assessment process for individuals and families.
• Continuously explore housing opportunities within the community through active housing searches and nurturing landlord relationships while developing an inventory of affordable housing opportunities. 
• Conduct thorough inspections and reviews of housing units to ensure compliance with HUD Housing Standards.
• Coordinate the enrollment of families into housing assistance programs to facilitate the achievement of their goals. This may include application assistance/review and/or authorization of direct benefit payments.
• Implement a recordkeeping system and customer confidentiality procedures.
• Responsible for creation, analysis, and submission of programmatic reports to multiply funding sources on a routine basis (monthly, Quarterly, Annually) as needed.
• Responsible for data entry into multiple customer databases which documents achievements of goals and housing sustainability. 
• Ensure effective budget management by overseeing and monitoring monthly rental payments to align with annual financial allocations. Collaborate with vendors and the fiscal department to streamline the processing of rental payments.
• Demonstrate knowledge in employing trauma-informed approaches when working with survivors of domestic violence.
• Assist the Community Services Director with managing the Housing Program service delivery.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS OF HOUSING NAVIGATOR:

Education:

Bachelors Degree in Social Work or Human Services or related field or similar combination of education and directly related work experience.

Experience:

• 2-3 years experience in case management and/or in experience in delivering housing assistance services.  
• Bilingual preferred.

Job Skills:

• Knowledge of Community Resources    
• Problem Solving/Conflict Resolution
• Knowledge of HUD housing assistance programs  
• Willingness to travel to various locations 

Licenses/Certifications:

Must have valid Connecticut driver’s license.

EOE AA M/F/Vets/Disability

Benefits Include:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) with matching contributions
• Vacation Time
• Personal Time
• Sick Time
• Holiday Pay

New Opportunities' mission is to improve the quality of life for economically disadvantaged individuals by providing the necessary resources to increase their standard of living, foster self-improvement, and maximize self-empowerment.

New Opportunities Inc. is the community action agency that serves Waterbury, Meriden, Torrington and 27 surrounding Connecticut towns. We offer a variety of social service programs designed to eliminate poverty and assist people in need.

Headquartered in Waterbury and the cities fourth largest employer, New Opportunities has additional offices in Meriden, Torrington, Danbury and Thomaston for the convenience of those they serve. Annually, more than 61,000 individuals benefit from programs offered at this agency, guided by the New Opportunities staff who helped them find the way to meet their needs.

In accordance with the mission of New Opportunities, the Agency aims to increase the self-sufficiency of its customers and support their move out of poverty toward a more middle-class lifestyle.

In 1964, the Agency incorporated as a private non-profit corporation in the State of Connecticut and is a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization. With an annual budget for 2014 in excess of $41 million dollars, New Opportunities administers more than 50 social service programs targeted to the low-income, elderly and disabled communities.

While the range of programs is broad, they fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Energy Assistance and Weatherization
• AIDS / HIV Prevention
• Fatherhood Initiative
• Employment Education and Training
• Child Welfare and Family Development Services
• Early Childhood Education Programs
• Elderly Services
• Homeless Shelter and Transitional Housing
• Ex-Offender Programs and Re-entry Services