Housing Navigator

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Amirah, Inc. exists to provide aftercare, resources, and opportunities to female-identifying adults who have survived different forms of sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, and commercial sex.

Reporting to the Director of Client Services, the Housing Navigator works within a team dynamic with direct care staff to provide trauma-informed support for women who have experienced sexual exploitation in our Rapid Re-Housing Program (RRH) and in our Community Resource Center (CRC) in Lynn, MA. Using a housing first approach, the Housing Navigator assists clients with creating and maintaining housing stability and accessing supportive services to do so. They are a vital part of each client being given access to resources for their exit from sex trafficking and the commercial sex trade, and their whole-person care recovery. Amirah is a CORI-friendly employer.

You should apply if…

• You believe in the dignity of all human lives, no matter the color of your skin, your gender, your sexuality, or anything else. Dignity is deserved because all human beings exist in the image of God.
• You are a skilled empathetic professional who enjoys building strong and balanced teams to achieve collective goals and fostering a collaborative growth culture.
• You’re excited about the challenge of building deeply intentional processes towards a more diverse, equitable and racially just community.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

We take the broadest possible view of diversity.

We value the visible and invisible qualities that make you who you are.

We welcome that every person brings a unique perspective and experience to advance our mission and progress the work of healing in community, breaking the cycle of exploitation, and providing new communities where people with lived experience can thrive in life.

We believe that each Amirah community member, donor, volunteer, advocate, and employee must have equal access to solving community problems.

We strive to include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at the center of our daily work.

We commit to using these practices for our business and our communities.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist clients with affordable, permanent housing search in ways including but not limited to: identifying housing opportunities based on clients’ needs and eligibility, identifying clients’ housing barriers and how to navigate around these barriers, communicating available housing opportunities on a regular basis, navigating how to acquire necessary documentation, developing housing literacy (including but not limited to: reviewing housing applications and determination letters and understanding tenancy rights), and attending clients’ housing screening meetings and apartment viewings when feasible and appropriate to do so.
• Create and maintain partnerships with state-wide housing providers, existing property managers/owners willing to permanently house RRH clients post-program completion, and community partners to broaden housing search opportunities.
• Assists clients with navigating utilities management including but not limited to becoming familiar with utility customer rights, establishing discounted utility rates and payment plans, and accessing fuel assistance as needed.
• Conduct and develop ongoing workshops on housing search, tenancy rights, utility rights, roommate selection (if applicable), etc.
• Provide direct services as needed using a collaborative individual care written with each participant and the Amirah staff.
• Keep up-to-date records and communicate with staff on the progress of clients.
• Follow procedures for program policies (data entry, ability to take notes for client files, etc.).
• Carry out all assignments designated by the Director of Client Services.
• Participate in on-call rotation for Amirah’s Rapid Re-Housing program. On-call duties can be conducted remotely for the purposes of crisis support only and do not require an in-person response.
• Ensure that all case records are maintained in compliance with Federal, State and Organizational standards for each program participant.
• Track necessary expenses with appropriate supervisor approval and report all spending to the Office Manager in conjunction with the allotted program budget.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Alignment with Amirah's core values.
• All candidates should have affordable housing search experience and be familiar with multiple affordable housing options (including but not limited to: public housing programs, subsidized housing options, vouchers, single-room occupancy units, and roommate situations).
• Bachelor’s Degree in human services or similar field, or equivalent combination of education and work experience required.
• Nonprofit experience preferred.
• Lived experience in exiting the sex trade/sexual exploitation welcomed.
• Valid driver’s license with vehicle.
• Knowledge of commercial sexual exploitation and experience working in this field preferred.
• Unwavering commitment to quality programs and high level of service.
• Ability to work in an independent environment as well as working with a strong collaborative team-based program.

BENEFITS

Amirah provides the following benefits for this position:

• Four weeks paid vacation annually.
• One personal day per quarter – must be used each quarter.
• Eligible for health insurance package and dental insurance.
• Eligible for 401K retirement plan.
• Accumulated sick time, up to forty (40) hours a year.
• Weekly clinical supervision support given by Amirah’s licensed clinical staff towards licensure requirements.
• Paid holidays for all 12 federal holidays, Patriot's Day, Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• Has your professional experience as a Housing Navigator been with individuals, families, or both?
• This role requires candidates to have professional experience as a Housing Navigator (similar titles: Housing Search Specialist, Housing Case Manager, Housing Advocate), supporting clients with affordable housing search. How many years experience do you have in this type of role?

Work Location: In person