Job Description

Housing Navigator

The Housing Navigator (HN) is responsible for facilitating pathways to permanent housing for youth who are on the street or in the RYSE program. He/she/they fills a central role in linking youth experiencing housing instabilities to an appropriate housing plan and supporting the team in sustaining placements.

The Housing Navigator engages and builds relationships with landlords within the private market advocating for our youth as future tenants. The HN assists youth in locating landlords and available apartments while assuring valid and truthful leases are drafted. They assist youth in selecting apartments that are safe and affordable. The HN supports youth with family reunification and reconciliation, including travel off island if appropriate. They also facilitate mediation between clients and landlords. The Housing Navigator works closely with the Youth Housing Case Managers and the entire RYSE team.

RYSE uses the Housing First and Harm Reduction service delivery models, assisting youth with housing as the immediate need without prerequisites to abstain from any harmful behavior prior to being housed or receiving assistance. We help youth identify their own goals and support them to discover safer alternatives.

REPORTS TO: Program Manager

Salary Range: $47 – $52K

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Network with landlords and property managers for potential housing units through events, association meetings, cold calls, and other appropriate communication methods
  • Utilize networks to locate available units that meet the requirements of RYSE and its clients.
  • Perform inspections (or request inspection from third party) on potential apartments and assure the drafting of valid and truthful leases.
  • Network with landlords by attending landlord association meetings.
  • Maintain and expand landlord database with available units.
  • Practice positive youth engagement through persistent and creative engagement to motivate, encourage participation, and promote follow-through to obtain and maintain stable housing.
  • Remain primary point of contact while youth navigate the housing process.
  • Assist youth with family reunification on and off island.
  • Diplomatically handle problems surrounding housing issues such as maintenance of apartments, restoration of apartments upon discharge of clients, tenant disputes, landlord issues, etc
  • Facilitate various support groups with clients/landlords pertaining to apartment living, budgeting and life skills, client/landlord mediation.
  • Develop and conduct necessary training for landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities to staff and clients.
  • Maintain current knowledge of local housing laws, trends, and issues.

 

Administrative

  • Conduct Fair Market Rent and Rent Reasonableness assessments.
  • Maintain a comprehensive and up to date list of apartment/unit availability
  • Maintain a comprehensive written record of all transactions via electronic database.
  • Review and negotiate leases for appropriate terms & conditions according to funder and RYSE guidelines.
  • Regularly communicate available units to all Housing Case Manager and others in the agency.

 

Team Participation

  • Participate in staff meetings and other group activities essential for operations
  • Lead team discussions on client progress and lack of progress and helps to develop possible solutions to ensure best support for the client’s success.
  • Attend scheduled training programs for professional development that includes, at a minimum, trainings required by RYSE and by regulatory and accrediting bodies.
  • Develop a landlord advisory board
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

  • Equivalent work, education, and life experience typically gained by a bachelor’s degree, and experience in homeless/affordable housing, real estate/rental market.
  • A working knowledge of the social service system and the rental market Working with young adults ages 18-24 a plus
  • Knowledge of available community resources and services
  • Proficient in use of computer technology primarily Microsoft WORD & EXCEL, HMIS.
  • Ability to complete a variety of daily, bi-weekly, and monthly documentation, as well as data collection.
  • Ability to respond efficiently and effectively in emergency situations.
  • Understand and maintain confidentiality of member information
  • Perform general clerical duties including recordkeeping and filing.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work with diverse populations.
  • Valid HI driver’s license and reliable transportation and/or own vehicle.
  • Weekends and evenings may be required. This is not a 9 to 5 position.
  • Proof of Covid 19 vaccination required as a condition of employment
  • Must pass DOJ background check

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. In the course of performing the job, this position typically spends time sitting, standing, climbing stairs, walking, driving, carrying (50lbs), and lifting (50lbs), bending, stooping. Operating a computer keyboard, firm/strong grasping, and repetitive hand control. Makes and receives telephone calls. Use of general office equipment copier, fax machine and basic office equipment. Subjected to outside environmental conditions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not attentive to personal health and safety for themselves. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the client’s use of alcohol and drugs, and the lack of personal care. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations.

Please email your resume to: info@rysehawaii.org