Positions Title: Housing Navigator
Program/Department: Programs
Reports to: Director of Programs
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Salary: $70,000-$73,000
About the Role
As a Housing Navigator at My Sister’s Place, you’ll play a vital role in supporting families across various programs in securing safe and stable housing. Reporting to the Director of Programs, you will actively contribute to the stability and well-being of families by efficiently navigating housing challenges. Your responsibilities will include collaborative housing placement, landlord engagement, documentation support, coordination, communication, networking, program development, education, and troubleshooting. We follow a Housing First approach, emphasizing rapid housing placement and stabilization for families facing housing insecurity.
This is a hybrid position and expected to be in the office at least 1-2 days a week.
About My Sister’s Place
My Sister’s Place is a community of staff, volunteers, and advocates committed to eradicating domestic violence. As DC’s oldest domestic violence shelter, we have served as a cornerstone of the district’s response to this pressing public health issue since 1979. MSP is unique in offering a continuum of care from emergency shelter through transitional-to-permanent housing. Our experienced team of case managers and residential counselors provide clinical counseling, case management, and comprehensive services to empower survivors to recover and thrive. MSP also provides training, case consultation, and advocacy to engage communities to prevent violence and abuse.
What You’ll Be Doing
Collaborative Housing Placement:
• Collaborates with community advocates across My Sister’s Place programs (FRSP, RISE, RISE Plus & Shelter) to identify and share housing options with MSP families that align with their needs and income. Considers factors such as safety, geographic preferences, transportation, healthcare, education, daycare, support systems, and employment opportunities during the housing identification process.
• Develops and maintains an accurate and current housing portfolio with rent-reasonable listings of potential housing options throughout the District of Columbia.
• Facilitates the housing process – from initial unit identification through lease up – with clients, landlords/property managers, and other stakeholders; develops personalized plans and consults with families regularly to assist them in navigating the process.
• Works collaboratively with other MSP staff to help families to mitigate issues with credit reports, utility arrears, criminal records, unfavorable landlord references, and other issues which may impact housing eligibility.
• Determines the rent reasonableness of any potential unit being considered by an MSP family.
• Assists families with Request for Tenancy applications, including preparing/obtaining any needed documentation; enters and tracks applications and housing subsidy paperwork.
• Makes referrals to resources, such as legal assistance and tenant rights organizations, on an as-needed basis.
• Reviews and explains housing-related documents, such as lease agreements, to families, community advocates, and program managers.
• Coordinates timely inspections, landlord corrective actions, and lease up appointments; prepares all parties for their respective roles in the lease up process.
• Advocates on behalf of families to expedite, secure, and maintain their access to safe, affordable housing.
Landlord Engagement and Relationship Management:
• Manages and maintains relationships with landlords, assisting them in addressing any issues, such as housing condition concerns.
• Assists landlords/property managers with Landlord Agreements and Request for Tenancy packets, including preparing/obtaining any required documentation and tracking application status.
• Serves as a liaison between the family, community advocate, and landlord/property manager to resolve any issues; attends home visits when serious maintenance or security concerns are identified/on an as-needed basis.
• Assists TCP and program managers to schedule and track the status of housing inspections on an as-needed basis.
Coordination and Communication:
• Maintains regular, open communication with community advocates, program managers and other stakeholders and meets with program staff regularly to provide updates and discuss action plans.
• Provides regularly-scheduled weekly drop-in office hours for consultations with families, community advocates, and program managers.
• Notifies advocates of all housing opportunities and maintains regular communication with families regarding opportunities that would fit their individual housing needs.
• Attends to inquiries from families who are prospective property owners, providing information on housing assistance programs.
Coordination and Communication:
• Maintain open communication with community advocates, program managers and other stakeholders.
• Notify advocates of all housing opportunities and coordinate individualized housing plans with clients.
• Attend to inquiries from prospective property owners, providing information on housing assistance programs.
Networking and Program Development:
• Conducts outreach and expands access to housing by cultivating relationships with landlords, property owners, and property management companies willing to rent to families facing challenges in meeting typical tenant screening criteria via neighborhood outreach, Internet search, networking events, etc.
• Stays informed about housing trends, market information, and available affordable housing resources.
• Proposes programming and activities to support home stabilization for MSP’s families.
Education and Presentation:
• Conducts monthly hybrid (in-person and virtual) workshops for MSP clients on housing-related issues.
• Periodically prepares materials and make presentations to landlords, property managers, and/or property owners.
• Periodically presents (formally and informally) to staff on housing-related issues and programs.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant work experience.
• Certification or licensure in a relevant discipline, such as real estate or property management, is a plus.
• Proven ability to develop relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders and experience in building and maintaining relationships with landlords and/or property managers.
• Subject matter expertise regarding DC’s housing market and subsidy programs, particularly a working knowledge of current housing laws, practices, services, and programs (e.g., RRH, PSH) related to people experiencing homelessness.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, city, and community resources including housing options, locations, and availability, as well as health, mental health, government benefits, employment, and transportation resources, among others.
• Passion for contributing to the well-being of families facing housing insecurity.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and independently.
• Proficiency in utilizing spreadsheets to compile data regarding units/properties and track service delivery.
• Familiarity with StepTool/QuickBase.
What We’re Looking For
At MSP, we are committed to our core values, which guide our every action and decision. We’re hiring someone who shares our dedication to these values and embodies them in their work:
Demonstrate Professionalism, Integrity, and Excellence: You approach your role with the highest level of professionalism and ethical conduct. You should consistently uphold integrity, demonstrate excellence in your work, and adhere to the highest standards of professionalism.
Support Wellness and Self-care: You understand the importance of self-care and wellness, both for yourself and for the clients we serve. You should promote and model self-care practices and encourage clients to prioritize their well-being.
Provide Person-centered and Trauma-informed Services: We value a person-centered and trauma-informed approach to service delivery. The right candidate should be skilled in empathetic and client-focused interactions, recognizing the unique needs and experiences of each individual.
Foster an Environment of Trust, Transparency, and Respect: Building trust and maintaining transparency and respect in all interactions is paramount to our organization. We are looking for someone who can create a safe and respectful environment for clients and colleagues alike.
Deliver Services Intentionally and Passionately: We seek a candidate who is passionate about helping others and who approaches their role with intentionality. You should be dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of our clients.
My Sister’s Place is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based upon race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.