Housing Navigator II – The Loft Program

Housing Matters partners with individuals and families to create pathways out of their homelessness into permanent housing. We are a leader in working to end homelessness and we want you to be part of our team! We are looking for individuals eager to make a difference and willing to enthusiastically commit to joining our vision that homelessness in Santa Cruz County should be rare, brief, and non-recurring.

Our Emergency Shelter, aka “The Loft”, is a low-barrier shelter for up to 43 individuals at a time. The Loft is open to adults who are currently experiencing homelessness and who are partnering with us to end that homelessness. The Housing Navigator II is the journey-level class and is expected to work with a minimum amount of supervision to conduct housing navigation, and secure housing placements in coordination with their team, program, and the agency through new training, strategies, partnerships and other activities. This specialized hybrid role will combine traditional housing navigation with dedicated support for a small, specialized caseload of Loft program participants. The position also incorporates flexible deployment to Housing Stabilization duties based on organizational and participant needs.

Hours and Benefits:

The Housing Navigator II is a full-time, hourly non-exempt position eligible for our generous benefits plan:

Benefits Summary:

100% employee coverage on select plans
Dental - 100% employee coverage
Vision - 100% employee coverage
Life insurance (UNUM) - 100% employee coverage
Chiropractic and Acupuncture (for those who elect medical insurance) - 100% employee coverage
403b Retirement Savings matched up to 3% dollar-for-dollar with no vesting period
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Travel Assistance
PTO, 1 paid floating holiday, 9 paid holidays

Regular hours are Monday through Friday – Hybrid

Starting Wage (Offer Dependent on Experience):

$27.00 $27.81 $28.64 $29.50 $30.39 $31.30

Preferred Experience and Education Requirements

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. Typical ways to obtain this knowledge would be:

A minimum of two years of experience performing social service casework services comparable to a Case Manager I or Housing Navigator I at Housing Matters in an exceptional manner exceeding all standards and abilities
A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college with a major in social work, social welfare, human services, or one of the social or behavioral sciences

Special Requirements:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License

De-escalation and MI skills preferred
Bilingual English and Spanish speaking a plus

Thorough knowledge of:

County and state affordable housing policies, procedures and programs.
Basic principles and trends of affordable housing
Housing inspections.
Administrative procedures,
Grant compliance reporting may be required for certain positions.
Principles and trends of affordable housing.
Federal and State housing regulations, programs and procedures.
Community resources.
Public social service and assistance programs.
Knowledge of the specialized program area to which assigned
Interviewing and record keeping techniques.

Typical Job Duties:

Conduct landlord/property management outreach and relationship building.
Search daily for housing and reach out to available units.
Coordinate regularly with Housing Navigators and Case Managers, including attending collaborative working group meetings.
Develop rapport and communication with both property managers and program clients.
Conduct, with Case Managers, housing needs assessment and client-driven housing searches in neighborhoods that are a good fit for the individual clients and families.
Act as client advocate in securing appropriate housing.
Facilitate rental agreements with landlords in scattered site apartments and ensure clients understanding of rental agreements, housing policies and procedures.
Conduct home visits with clients.
Maintain extensive, accurate records, data and documentation of services.
Participate in Housing Matters and Case Management/Supportive Services staff meetings, case reviews and related functions.
Maintains a limited caseload and provides case management services to shelter participants
Perform Housing Stabilization as needed, including by not limited to developing and/or following housing stability case plans, provide budget assistance, job search and employment assistance, and serving as a liaison between participants and their landlords

Transport program participants in Housing Matters vehicles to meetings and appointments in accordance with program requirements.

Maintain effective relationships with community partners and represent Housing Matters professionally in the community.
Attend training, workshops and conferences related to position.
Maintain confidential, professional boundaries with all program clients.
Will report to the Loft Program Manager in the provision of services to Santa Cruz County’s unsheltered population including housing-focused wrap-around services in conjunction with Case Managers and other staff.

Shelter Housing Navigators may be responsible for the following:

Orient new shelter guests into the program, including outlining shelter policy and expectations, touring the shelter facility and dining hall, etc.
Facilitate storage of personal items.
Respond appropriately to potential crisis situations that may arise.
Report any hazards to the Program Manager for immediate attention.
Support the Program Manager in enforcing and maintaining campus and shelter policy.
Assist with room/pallet shelter checks.
Support the Direct Services team with shelter program services.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at Housing Matters without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer-related and genetic characteristics), marital status, sexual orientation, age (over 18), veteran status, gender, pregnancy, or any other non-merit factor unrelated to job duties. Such action shall include, but not be limited to, the following: recruitment; advertising, layoff or termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training (including apprenticeship), employment, upgrading, demotion, or transfer.

AI can make mistakes. To view the original job title, description and salary, click here.