Housing Navigator (Homeless housing outreach)

Housing Navigator (Homeless housing outreach)
Position's Role Summary:
Do you want to make a difference? Do you have a passion for helping others and want a career where you can make a difference? Then join our NTBHA team where we have proved to be a strong, self-sufficient and enduring foundation within our community that is committed to connecting and serving our clients where they live. Please apply if you want to build a career here!
North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA), based in Dallas is responsible for developing a collaborative system of care for children, adolescents and adults with severe mental illness and other serious emotional disturbances, as well as those experiencing a substance use disorder. NTBHA provides trauma-informed, resilience-oriented care with cultural humility.
We are responsible for developing a collaborative system of care for individuals in crisis in the NTBHA service area. We are focused on trauma-informed, resilience-oriented care in all services provided.
The Housing Navigator is responsible for engaging people experiencing homelessness and connecting them with permanent housing and other critical services. Using a housing first and harm reduction approach this position will provide housing support services that will include coordinating assessments to match unhoused clients to appropriate housing interventions, accompanying clients from housing referral through the lease up process, and collaborating with system partners to facilitate and secure housing. This position requires knowledge of and experience in working with highly vulnerable populations. In addition, the Housing Navigator requires knowledge of housing assistance programs and knowledge of housing search and placements skills including housing search and landlord engagement, filling out housing applications, and assisting with the leasing process. This position will also do landlord unit location. The Housing Navigator will work primarily in the field in a variety of settings, has ability to travel, and should be comfortable working in diverse settings to include in the community engaging with landlords, emergency shelters, encampments, under bridges, and other locations where unsheltered homeless are.
Summary of Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Engage individuals experiencing homelessness in shelters, on the streets, encampments, and other public access areas in Dallas, Navarro, Hunt, Kaufman, Ellis, and Rockwall County.
• Ensure contract compliance and verify persons experiencing homelessness eligibility for program services.
• Attendance at all community meetings related to homelessness in Dallas, Navarro, Hunt, Kaufman, Ellis, and Rockwall County.
• Present for monthly All-Staff meetings, weekly team meetings, case conferencing, training workshops and supervision.
• Assists homeless individuals that have been referred from the Coordinated Access System in gathering and obtaining all documents necessary to complete a housing program enrollment and/or application.
• Assists in locating or identifying alternatives to emergency shelter stays when appropriate.
• Provide housing search and placement, including locating housing units and engaging with landlords, complete housing applications and assist with the leasing process.
• Provide support for persons experiencing homelessness as they transition from homelessness to housing.
• Provides psychoeducation to households, as needed to be successful in obtaining housing.
• Accompanies individuals to all housing appointments and serves as their primary advocate.
• Completes in-depth assessments, as needed, to ensure proper supportive services are provided.
• Communicate and coordinate with the Coordinated Access System and other providers to locate households and share information.
• Works closely with the Housing Forward, housing locators, case managers, and outreach workers to identify positive solutions to ending a household's homelessness.
• Maintain current documentation and records of encounters, assessments, and referrals, as well as other statistical data required by the program, and ensure all data is entered accurately into CMBHS, and HMIS.
• Attends all Housing Navigator and HMIS training to utilize the Coordinated Access System accurately.
• Participates in Coordinated Access Team meetings as needed.
• Duties and projects may be assigned or changed to meet business needs.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• 2 - 4 Years of relevant experience in homelessness intervention/prevention direct social service delivery or related field OR Bachelor's degree in a social or behavioral science related field.
• Experience utilizing cloud-based database systems; experience with a local Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and/or the ClientTrack database system is a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have a working knowledge and utilization of community resources in Dallas, Navarro, Hunt, Kaufman, Ellis, and Rockwall County.
• Ability to work with diverse client population and community organizations as well as staff at all levels.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule that includes evenings, holidays, and weekends.
• The ability to show patience and courtesy when working with people is a necessity.
• Must be able to interact appropriately with internal and external customers, including individuals receiving services, community service providers, supervisory staff, and colleagues.
• Work will be performed across a variety of locations within the NTBHA network communities; must have your own vehicle, valid Driver's License, and automobile insurance.
• Subject to criminal history background check
• Advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills - Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. with an ability to become familiar with company-specific programs and software.
• Must be able to work on and have knowledge of a PC (personal computer).

Education, Training and Experience (including licensure and certification):

• Current Texas Social Work license preferred.

This position reports to the Chief of Administrative Services
Similar position titles include: Housing Navigator for Homeless Outreach, Housing Support Specialist, Housing Coordinator, Unhoused Placement Manager, Homeless Intervention Housing Navigator and Housing Case Manager.
NTBHA is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our hiring practices and in our experiences as employees. We strive to create a mindful and respectful environment and culture that is free of perceived harassment, racism, and discrimination, creating an environment of understanding and compassion for all lived experiences.