Job Description

Company Description: NAMI San Diego/Imperial Counties (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is a nonprofit organization that provides free education, support services, and advocacy to improve the quality of life of everyone affected by mental illnesses.

Primary Responsibilities/Function: The Housing Navigator is responsible for providing community-based services at the Clubhouse, field-based sites where homeless frequently camp or locations/facilities serving the homeless in the central region. The Housing Navigator shall reflect a combined experience in housing, behavioral health and substance abuse with the primary goal of ensuring adult and older adult homeless individuals with a mental illness, unserved or underserved, are linked to housing services utilizing the Service Point (CES and HMIS) and the VI-SPDAT to quickly assess an individual's health and social needs, receive the appropriate housing diversion strategy (VI-SPDAT score) and then match and divert through various community partners to the most appropriate housing intervention possible. Housing Navigator will collaborate with NAMI San Diego & Imperial Counties Navigation Team, Clubhouse members, landlords, service partners and homeless to strengthen supports/relationships, decrease barriers, navigate housing options, support tenant retention and create a sense of community and connection.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for assessment eligibility, coordinated outreach, overall accurate and timely completion of all required reports/documentation, including housing subsidy application, VI-SPDAT, CES, HMIS and housing subsidy application. Assists individuals/members in obtaining required supportive documentation.
• Provides outreach and navigation as a member of the NAMI San Diego & Imperial Counties Mobile Navigation Team to homeless individuals in field-based/community-based sites in the Central Region.
• Develops, maintains and reviews housing plan file/needs assessment with Program Manager ensuring required documentation adherence.
• Works closely with direct service staff to coordinate person-centric housing options.
• Utilizes "Housing First" approach for accessing housing that is not time-delineated as quickly as possible, and is not contingent on services.
• Facilitates housing related groups or trainings as identified by Program Manager.
• Demonstrates knowledge in cultural and linguistic competency, co-occurring and gender responsiveness, and trauma informed care practice.
• Participates in homeless outreach events such as organized homeless encampment cleanups, Point in Time Count, Veterans Stand Down, and Project Homeless Connect.
• Conducts outreach and engagement of homeless individuals in the Central Region where homeless frequently make camps, and at local facilities serving the homeless, i.e. MHS Storage Connect, FHC Navigation Center, Father Joe's Village, Shelter Bridge Tents, Rachel's Women's Center and Property Project.
• Other duties as assigned.

Accountability: Reports to Program Manager.

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 this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Minimum Requirements, including linguistic and cultural skills, education, experiences, licenses and certifications:

• Demonstrated experience in housing needs of individuals with SMI and/or substance abuse disorders and ability to generate variety of housing options.
• Prefer lived mental health experience for self.
• Associate's degree in social service field with 3 years of experience providing housing-related social services; OR
• Bachelor's degree in social service field with 2 years of experience providing housing-related social services.
• Prefer Bilingual in Spanish.

Due to our work with vulnerable populations and county contractor requirements, applicants will be required to undergo a background check following a contingent offer of employment and must receive satisfactory results prior to a final offer of employment. If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please feel free to reach out to [email protected].

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