Housing Navigation Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY: The Housing Navigation Specialist is an essential team member in the York County Pathways to Home Coordinated Entry process that provides management of the Pathways to Home process as well as supports community-wide coordination of landlord engagement and access. The HN Specialist will also work to increase accessibility and successful housing placement through the Pathways to Home process and improve the retention rates for people who have been transitioning from homelessness to a new home, through housing partner and system building/support. The HN Specialist will work closely with other members of the York County Planning Commission (YCPC) staff, York County Coalition on Homelessness (YCCH) members, landlords, case managers and program directors of housing/service organizations involved in the coordinated entry process to achieve goals.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS/EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in human services related field or equivalent experience. Experience with property management and/or landlord advocacy programs, or coordinated entry is preferred.

· Familiarity with the local housing market, national and local housing trends, and available housing resources

· Understanding of landlord-tenant responsibilities.

· Detail oriented to complete requirements of data tracking and housing options inventory.

· Computer skills required: Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, with a strong focus on Excel skills. Previous Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) software experience preferred but not required.

· Strong communication and oral skills related to speaking with a variety of different populations.

· Experience working with people experiencing housing instability or homelessness and/or populations with special needs.

· Self-motivated and able to work independently.

· Lived experience of housing instability or homelessness preferred.

· Valid driver’s license and good driving record.

· Must pass the County background check with no record of criminal conviction.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Act as Coordinated Entry Manager for the Pathways to Home process.

o This includes updates to reporting through HMIS multiple times a week, managing referrals, updates, and closures,

o Reviewing data for quality and completeness on all referral results

o Providing at-least annual reports to the York County Coalition on Homelessness around Pathways to Home activities and performance,

o Assist the CoC Program Coordinator with annual application for funding for Coordinated Entry with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

o Assist the CoC Program Coordinator with completing the Annual Progress Report (APR) to HUD

o Providing monitoring and evaluation of the Coordinated Entry process

o Improving accessibility to Pathways to Home

o Facilitate, take notes, and schedule all meetings and activities of the CE Planning Team Committee,

o Provide opportunities to evaluate, revise, and/or replace current assessment tools to ensure Pathways to Home is accessible and equitable.

o Provide at-least monthly Pathways to Home new user training, and

o Provide at-least annually Pathways to Home refresher training for existing assessors (mandatory for assessors)

· Attend all CoC leadership and monthly membership meetings and provide support and feedback for proposals.

· Evaluate funding opportunities at local, state, and federal levels to support inclusion of tenant and landlord benefits not covered by existing housing funding.

· Provide Strategic Planning feedback, data, and connections to stakeholders in the community.

· Facilitate, take notes, and schedule all the meetings and activities for the Landlord Engagement Committee.

· Prep and support staff for the Coalition monthly meetings.

· Staff support for the annual Point in Time Count

· Create an internal landlord contact list and maintain that listing.

· Make introductions with new/unknown landlords, discuss opportunities to partner with direct service agencies, and provide warm hand-offs to those agencies as potential partners.

· Provide weekly support sessions to CoC and ESG funded housing assistance staff to assist with “tough” housing cases.

· Support partnerships and communication between York County Housing Authority and Coalition with dedicated population vouchers and connections between housing partners and the Housing Authority for shared clients.

· Other duties, as required.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person