Salary Range: $24.23 - $26.66 per hour
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Schedule: Full-time; Monday through Friday; 8-hour shift scheduled between 7:00AM - 4:00PM
Homelessness is a public health, social and racial justice issue!
Since 1984, St. Francis House has committed itself to healing the wounds of those impacted by an inequitable society and breaking down the barriers, including systemic racism that prevent all people from living lives of dignity.
St. Francis House is the State’s largest provider of day services supporting people who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness. Located in the heart of downtown Boston, we compassionately welcome nearly 500 adults through our doors every day who are seeking a safe and dignified refuge and opportunities to rebuild their lives. Our holistic approach allows us to deepen our impact by offering integrated programing that helps our guests achieve stability in the areas of housing, income, and behavioral health. Joining our team would provide for you a dynamic opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team of providers dedicated to solving this public health crisis.
We offer an extensive Benefits package! Up to 90% of individual insurance premiums paid for Harvard Pilgrim Health Care health insurance & Altus dental insurance, 4 weeks of vacation and 13 holidays recognized per year, employer – paid life & disability insurance, a vested 403b retirement with 5% match, and much more!
Job Summary:
The Rapid Rehousing Housing Navigator is responsible for gathering information from guests interested in enrolling in the Rapid Rehousing Program (RRH), conducting comprehensive housing assessments, and developing individualized housing plans. They will facilitate client-driven housing searches, tailored to meet the specific needs of each client, in order to secure appropriate housing placements. The Housing Navigator will collaborate closely with internal departments and external partners to identify both traditional and non-traditional housing opportunities, as well as connect clients to behavioral health resources and income maximization services. The Housing Navigator must be resilient and resourceful, advocating for clients and fostering relationships with government agencies, community housing organizations, and landlords. They will also navigate housing subsidy programs and processes to ensure clients' success. Additionally, the Housing Navigator will play a key role in locating suitable rental units for clients, completing all necessary enrollment tasks, and conducting orientations with both landlords and clients.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
- Triage all new Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) referrals and walk-in guests to determine which financial assistance program may be available to rapidly re-house the individual.
- Complete intakes with each guest and work with the guest and case management team to develop and carry out a rehousing plan.
- Complete an initial Coordinated Entry Pathways assessment for each guest enrolled in RRH.
- Complete assessments to determine the support needed to address barriers, increase income, and maintain and sustain permanent housing.
- Provide individualized support by helping each guest develop a plan to address barriers, increase income, and maintain and sustain permanent housing.
- Identify and provide participants with listings of potential housing options that align with their needs and geographic preferences.
- Help participants mitigate issues related to credit reports, utility arrears, criminal records, unfavorable landlord references, and other barriers that may impact housing eligibility.
- Assists participants in their housing search, including applying for apartments, negotiating with potential landlords, making referrals to other housing location services, and accompanying participants to apartment viewings as needed.
- Assists participants with housing applications, including preparing and obtaining any needed documentation and tracking application status.
- Advocates on behalf of participants to expedite their access to housing.
- Arranges for timely inspections and landlord corrective actions to ensure a unit is move-in ready.
- Determines rent reasonableness for inspected units prior to rental assistance and lease approval.
- Explains and reviews the lease and sublease agreement with incoming participants/sub-tenants.
- Works with case managers to address any emerging issues related to housing and community adjustment.
- Conducts outreach and expands access to housing by cultivating relationships with property owners and management companies and connecting with landlords via neighborhood outreach, internet searches, and networking events. Develops expertise in available affordable housing sites and housing subsidies.
- Assists clients with moving, including helping locate affordable moving companies, acquiring furniture, and obtaining other move-in essentials.
- Networks and collaborates with area housing resources and maintains a presence at community housing resource meetings.
- Builds strong relationships with community partners to broaden housing search opportunities.
- Maintains relationships with existing property managers/owners and establishes new relationships with those willing to house RRH clients.
- Updates, maintains, and communicates a list of available housing opportunities on a regular basis.
- Works collaboratively with case managers to allocate available financial assistance for clients.
- Hosts workshops for guests on topics such as roommate sharing, weekly rentals, and sober housing.
- Hosts orientation sessions for landlords to educate them about the RRH program and their responsibilities.
- Maintains timely and accurate documentation within the HMIS client database system and prepares related reports, including outcomes and successes.
- Consistently meets all agency-assigned outcome goals with respect to housing efforts, number of people served, and exits to permanent housing.
- Adheres to agency code of conduct.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
