Senior Housing Navigator (Temporary)
Description ABOUT US Sanctuary for Families is New York’s leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and related forms of gender violence. Every year, Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services. We provide a range of wrap-around services to help survivors rebuild their lives in the aftermath of abuse, and work to end gender violence through three key strategies: direct services, outreach and training, and systems-change advocacy.
Our services are available in 12 locations throughout New York City. POSITION OVERVIEW The Senior Housing Navigator orients all eligible participants to the rapid rehousing program and provides housing search services to promote participants self-sufficiency, integration into the community, and permanency in housing; performs administrative tasks involved in the review and maintenance of a caseload of program participants; locates and maintains relationships with potential landlord throughout the city.
This position is temporary as funding is set to end April 30, 2027. RESPONSIBILITIES Assess housing barriers of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to determine housing and service needs. Support program intake and workflow management. Monitor and ensure program data quality and reporting compliance for all cases. Coordinate with program staff to identify and addressing operational needs.
Assist the Senior Deputy Director in reviewing, tracking and addressing data issues. Assist in maintaining program performance and compliance standard for HUD and the CoC. Develop a housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with clients. This shall include intake interview to determine client’s needs, goals, and eligibility. Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client’s behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and or maintain housing.
Assist participants in locating and securing housing of their choice. Create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e. tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors and creditors). Serve as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants. Assist in development of and encourage adherence to a personal budget through proactive housing and budget counseling sessions; provide budget counseling and education to assist clients in establishing payments plans for bills and past debts and assist clients in obtaining and maintaining their housing.
Assist participants in development of a strength-based/solution-focused individualized goal and action plan that promotes permanent housing and self-sufficiency; develop an effective, timely referral network to ensure ongoing direction and support as needed. In collaboration with supportive services specialist, identify participant strengths and barriers to stability and assist participants to reducing barriers and linking to resources and services.
Provide proactive follow-up home visits to ensure stability and further progress towards self-sufficiency; this includes support, advocacy, reducing isolation, listening, problem solving, and identification of resources to assist with reintegration of participants in the community. Apply knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate clients of their rights and responsibilities. Maintain accurate daily logs records, monthly outcome reports, and files for each client.
Accompany clients to housing appointments as deemed necessary. Collect and report program data, including but not limited to Salesforce reporting and funders’ required data. Perform any other department or agency related duties or special projects as directed. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in human services, and two (2) years related experience. Requires knowledge and belief in “Housing First” philosophy and strate